NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport’s Kenny Moreland signed a professional contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization Saturday, following the conclusion of the 2008 Major League Draft.

Moreland finished the 2008 season with a perfect 13-0 record and a 1.97 ERA, both setting new school records. He struck out 116 batters in just under 110 innings pitched. He also set career records in wins (35) and strikeouts (378).

Moreland also was named First Team All-American by D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association. He was also named the ABCA’s South Region Player of the Year and was a First Team All-South selection.

He also took home the Player of the Year award in the USA South and was also a First Team All-Conference pick. Moreland’s two wins in the USA South Tournament also earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

Moreland becomes the first CNU baseball player to sign a professional contract right out of college. Mark Parnell also signed a professional contract, but he first signed with the Peninsula Pilots when they were an independent franchise. He went on to a professional career where he reached Class AA.