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FLORENCE, Ky. – Andrew Pezzuto (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.), a standout outfielder with the Southern New Hampshire University baseball team in 2013, signed with the Florence Freedom of the independent Frontier League on Tuesday.  Pezzuto made his professional debut Tuesday night as the Freedom defeated the Normal CornBelters 6-4.

Pezzuto garnered Honorable Mention All-America from Daktronics and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA) and was a consensus First Team All-Region selection while also earning Northeast-10 First Team All-Conference honors in 2013.  He led SNHU and ranked second in the Northeast-10 with his .365 batting average, scoring 45 runs while driving in 31 batting in the No. 2 spot.  Including his 35 walks, Pezzuto posted a .471 on-base percentage, also good for second in the league.  On the basepaths, he established, along with teammate Brendan O'Brien, a program single-season stolen base record with 40, going 40-53, with his 40 steals leading the NE-10 along with O'Brien and ranking fifth nationally.

Pezzuto is the fourth member of this year's Penmen team to be playing professionally.  Pitchers Jon Massad (Shrewsbury, Mass.), Junior Mendez (Patchogue, N.Y.) and Alex Powers (Brewster, Mass.) were all selected in last month's MLB Draft, with Massad and Mendez currently in the Oakland Athletics organization, while Powers in a member of the Chicago White Sox organization.

Florence is currently tied with for the top spot in the Frontier League's East Division with a 25-15 record.  The Freedom return home from a six-game road trip Friday when they host the Frontier Greys.

Southern New Hampshire qualified for and hosted the NCAA East Regional for the second straight season in 2013, finishing 35-19 overall.