Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University senior shortstop Matt Ford signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization and will report to the Gulf Coast Rays, Tampa's rookie affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

Ford is the first Pride player to sign a professional contract this year and is the fifth player in the last three seasons to join the professional ranks. He joins Matt Reistetter (Washington Nationals, 2013) and Kevin Flynn (Washington Nationals, 2013) as free agent signees, while Danny Poma (Arizona Diamondbacks, 2012) and Bryan Verbitsky (San Diego Padres, 2013) were draft selections.

“I am very excited to begin my professional career,” said Ford. “This is something that every player dreams about and it is a very proud moment for me and my family. Tampa Bay is a great organization and I thank them for giving me this opportunity. I also need to thank my coaches and teammates at Hofstra for helping me reach this point. The Hofstra coaches really prepared me to play at the next level and my teammates pushed me to be the best player I could be during my five years on campus. I can't wait to start playing.”

“I am very happy for Matt and his family,” said Hofstra Baseball Head Coach John Russo. “Having the chance to play professional baseball has been Matt's goal for as long as I have known him and I think he will make the most of this opportunity. We could not have asked for more from Matt during his tenure here and we are proud to have him represent our program at the next level. With five players either getting drafted or signing with pro teams over the last three years, I think that says a lot about the quality of players in our program and Matt is one of the best to have played here. Tampa Bay is getting a great player.”

Ford was a two-time Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year for the Pride, earning the award as a junior in 2012 and then again as a fifth-year senior in 2014. He was also a three-time All-CAA selection after earning all-rookie accolades in 2010, first team honors in 2012 and a third team nod in 2014.

The Lansing, New York, native posted a career batting average of .313 with 36 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 102 RBIs. He started 182 of 183 career games and his 223 hits rank fourth all-time in Hofstra history. He also posted a .958 fielding percentage during his career.

This past season Ford batted .293 with nine doubles, two home runs, 16 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He batted .384 in 2012 with 13 doubles, 48 RBIs, 50 runs and 20 stolen bases before missing the 2013 season due to injury.

Ford graduated from Hofstra with a degree in history. 

The Rays, who play in Port Charlotte, Florida, open the 2014 season June 20 at the Gulf Coast Orioles in Sarasota, Florida.