Luera, who started in right field when not on the mound for the Pirates in 2008, batted .405 with five home runs, nine doubles and four triples, driving in 39 RBIs and scoring 26 runs.

On the hill, Luera struck out 62 batters – including 10 in an NAIA Regional game against Kansas Wesleyan – compiling a 4.02 ERA to go with a 7-3 record in 12 appearances, 11 of which were as the Pirates' starting pitcher.

Luera landed on the NAIA Region IV First-Team as an outfielder in 2008, also earning All-MCAC honors and Rawlings/MCAC Gold Glove honors during the year, and in 2007, Luera was named to the region's first team as a pitcher.

In two seasons at Park, Luera threw 110.0 innings with a career-ERA of 3.85, and at the plate, he was a .373 two-year hitter, homering seven times and driving in 65 runs over the two-season span. He also struck out 102 batters in his career as a pitcher.

The Scorpions are currently wrapping up the GBL All-Star break before heading to Edmonton Thursday for a four-game series that begins a seven-game road trip, ending in Calgary on July 23. Yuma returns home Friday, July 25, to take on St. George at 7 p.m.

Yuma plays its home games at Desert Sun Stadium, spring training home of the San Diego Padres, and the Scorpions' roster includes former Major Leaguer Mike Esposito, who reached baseball's highest level with the Colorado Rockies in 2005.

Luera becomes the sixth player to sign a professional contract since Park reintroduced baseball in the 2000 season. Adam Clay was the last player to ink a professional contract, signing with the Kansas City T-Bones in 2005.