July 13, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Brian Chad became the third Mercyhurst College baseball player to sign a professional contract this year, inking a deal with the Utica Brewmasters of the newly-formed New York State League. Chad, a 6-foot-5 pitcher, completed his college career with the Lakers in 2007.

Chad went 4-3 with a 3.12 ERA as a senior at Mercyhurst and set a school record with six pickoffs. He started nine games and was second on the team with 52 innings pitched and 45 strikeouts. He tossed a three-hit shutout against Nyack and was the winning pitcher in Mercyhurst's victory over top-seeded Ashland in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament.

Chad joins former teammates David Lough and Brian Espersen in the professional ranks. Lough was an 11th round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals and is currently playing for the Burlington Royals, while Espersen was an 18th round draft pick by the Houston Astros and is playing for the Tri-City Valley Cats.