TRINIDAD, Colo. -- Conor Bawiec '18 became the first alumnus of the Elmira College baseball program to sign a professional contract on Monday, as the former Empire 8 All-Conference and All-New York Region honoree inked a deal with the Trinidad Triggers of the independent Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

The Triggers, based out of Trinidad, Colorado, are one of 12 teams spread across the southwestern United States in the Pecos League. Last summer, Trinidad finished with a 41-21 overall record and reached the Pecos League semifinals.

"I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to play independent ball with the Trinidad Triggers," Bawiec said. "It's the start of a new journey for me as a starting pitcher. As I was talking to the coach, he saw some of my stats from college and also mentioned that he wouldn't have a problem putting me in the lineup either, providing an opportunity to be a two-way player in professional baseball.

"I cannot thank Elmira College and Coach Paluga enough for getting me to where I am today."
 
"This is a very exciting opportunity for Conor to continue playing baseball at a high level, and is great recognition for our program," said Elmira head baseball coach Corey Paluga. "His college success speaks for itself, but his work ethic has been the catalyst. He's now going to be challenged to work harder than he ever has at his craft."

During his four-year career at Elmira, Bawiec helped establish the baseball program from its infancy as a member of the inaugural incoming class. As a Soaring Eagle, the Lebanon, Pennsylvania, native set nearly every record in the books as both a batter and a pitcher, including batting average (.357), hits (172), runs (105), innings pitched (187.2), strikeouts (161), and wins (14). With an Empire 8 All-Conference First-Team nod following his senior season, Bawiec became the first Soaring Eagle to earn E8 All-Conference accolades in all four seasons and the first to receive multiple First-Team bids.

Bawiec will head west to join Trinidad in May, with the Pecos League regular season running from late May through the end of June each summer. For more information on the Triggers, please visit their website at www.trinidadtriggers.com.