FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University left-handed pitcher Ryan Ariail has signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles professional baseball club.

Ariail was signed by scout Dominic Viola after a personal tryout. He is scheduled to report to the squad’s spring training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., early next year.

The Elgin, S.C., native posted a 3-1 record with six saves and a 3.03 earned run average during his senior campaign in 2006. He struck out 43 batters in only 32.2 innings pitched, while walking just 14. He made 21 appearances and opponents batted only .227 against him.

Ariail helped lead the Patriots to a program-best 41-18 record, a No. 6 national ranking, and the program’s first-ever trip to the Division II College World Series.

In July, he signed with the Traverse City (Mich.) Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. He pitched in 11 games with a 4.30 ERA and no record. He fanned 21 batters in 14.2 innings.

Ariail pitched three seasons at Presbyterian College before transferring to FMU for his senior year. He is a product of Spring Valley High School.

Ariail is the second pitcher from the 2006 FMU staff to sign a professional contract, joining lefty Lee Tabor, who was drafted and signed by the Cincinnati Reds.