Stony Brook, N.Y. – Former Stony Brook University All-American Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) made his professional debut on Tuesday night and threw 5.0 shutout innings for the Tri-City Valley Cats, the short season Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Tropeano was selected by the Astros in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft on June 7.
Tropeano allowed just one hit, struck out three and walked two against the Connecticut Tigers. He left with a 1-0 lead but ended up with a no-decision as the Tigers scored five runs in the eighth to rally for a 5-2 victory. The Valley Cats play in the New York-Penn League and won the league title last season.
Named a second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the NCBWA in 2011, Tropeano went 12-1 with a 1.84 ERA in 14 starts and set America East single season records for wins and strikeouts (119).
Selected to the 2011 Golden Spikes Midseason Watch list, Tropeano was one of 25 finalists for the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Pitcher of the Year award. He also became the first player in America East history to earn Pitcher of the Year honors twice.
The Seawolves have had 35 players sign professional contracts under head coach Matt Senk including 26 since the program jumped to Division I in 2000.
