HOUSTON, Texas – Former University of Texas at Tyler pitcher Tommy Rozell was signed to a professional contract by the Coastal Kingfish of the Continental Baseball League on Wednesday.

Rozell finished his lone season at UT Tyler with a 6-2 record and a 4.33 ERA. His 58 strikeouts on the year was the third highest total on the team.

The Chandler native finished 65th in the country in strikeouts per nine innings with 9.67 and earned All-American Southwest Conference East Division honorable mention honors for his work during the 2009 season.

Including Rozell, 18 former Patriots have now signed contracts to play professional baseball.

Rozell is scheduled to make his first professional start on Sunday when the Kingfish travel to Texarkana to take on the Gunslingers.