NCCU's Michael Romano Signs Pro Baseball Contract With Taos Blizzard

Taos, New Mexico —  North Carolina Central University baseball senior pitcher Michael Romano (Spotsylvania, Va.) has been picked up by the Taos Blizzard of the Pecos League, becoming the first Eagle at the NCAA Division I level to sign a professional baseball contract.

“As cliché as it may sound, to sign with the Blizzard means that dreams do come true,” Romano said. “When you have dreamt your whole life and it suddenly becomes a reality it’s pretty overwhelming. It also shows that hard work and dedication truly does pay off. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people and I could not have done it without them. The Blizzard is giving me an opportunity to live out my dream and I am forever thankful.”

Romano was signed by the Blizzard after attending the Northeast Pro Showcase in Torrington, Conn.  The Blizzard organization is run by officials from the New York State League.

“We really liked what we saw out of Michael,” said General Manager of the Taos Blizzard Jay Acton.  “We liked his aggressiveness and willingness to challenge hitters during the showcase and our team needed another lefty out of the bullpen.”

The 6-1 lefty logged 84.0 innings in his final season at NCCU ending with a 3-9 record overall and an ERA of 5.25 with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks.  His final performance donning a maroon and gray uniform was one of his finest as he came on in-relief allowing only four hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts through 7.0 innings in the 12-6 victory over Norfolk State to eliminate the Spartans from the 2013 MEAC Tournament.

“We are very proud of Michael’s accomplishment,” said NCCU head coach Jim Koerner.  “He has worked hard and earned the opportunity to play professional baseball.  For me, it adds some significance knowing that he was one of the first players we recruited during the coaching transition.”

The Pecos League is a professional independent baseball league headquartered in Houston, Texas, which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and West Texas.

For more information on the Pecos League and the Taos Blizzard, check out the website www.pecosleague.com

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION