LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University pitcher/firstbaseman Billy Vopinek has signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies and is expected to open the season with the team's short-season Class A Casper (Wy.) Ghosts later this week.

Vopinek is coming off an impressive junior campaign which saw him earn NAIA First-Team All-America honors with a 1-1 record and a 0.76 ERA in 35-1/3 innings pitched. He shattered the existing school record with 18 saves in 21 opportunities and allowed just three earned runs over the course of the season. That included a stretch of 22 consecutive scoreless innings.

In addition to his pitching prowess, Vopinek was also among the team's best hitters in 2009, batting .320 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. He drew a team-high 37 walks which allowed him to lead Biola with a .472 on base percentage. 

Vopinek was one of just two GSAC players on the first-team along with Azusa Pacific junior infielder Brice Cutspec, and one of six total conference athletes to earn All-America recognition.

Vopinek joins Hawkins Gebbers as players from the 2009 squad playing with professional teams. Gebbers was a 33rd round pick of the Seattle Mariners.

Biola finished the season with a record of 35-24, reaching the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.