PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Embry-Riddle baseball assistant coach John Koronka has been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an Area Supervisor, allowing Koronka to return to professional baseball after nearly two years with the Eagles. Koronka will be covering central and south Florida, along with Puerto Rico for the Pirates, he previously served as a regional scout for the Chicago Cubs from 2011-20.

"I want to thank the Embry-Riddle staff, coaches, and players for allowing me and my family to open a new chapter and opportunity in the game of baseball. I'll never forget the passion, camaraderie, and the chance to compete on the field again with the players. I wish the best of luck to the student-athletes and coaches this coming season, this team is poised to break out and create even more history for an already established baseball program." 

Koronka joined the Eagles in the spring of 2021, taking over for Vic Diaz who had joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization just a few months prior. ERAU did not play a season in 2021 due to the pandemic, but in 2022 the Eagle pitching staff  posted a 4.95 ERA, a top-60 NCAA II mark. Additionally, Kelsey Ward signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays following the 2022 campaign, becoming the 33rd Eagle all-time to join an MLB organization.

A Florida native, Koronka was drafted in the 12^th round of the 1998 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds out of South Lake High School (Groveland, Florida). He made his MLB debut on June 1, 2005 for the Cubs, pitching five innings and getting the win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Koronka also pitched in Japan for the Orix Buffaloes, as well as in the Independent Atlantic League for the Lancaster Barnstormers and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. In total, Koronka's professional career spanned 14 seasons from 1998-2011.

"We appreciate what John did for our program through COVID and a canceled season in 2021," ERAU Head Coach Randy Stegall said. "Without John I'm not sure our program would have come through those two years in good shape. He helped stabilize our program and weather a storm. I am thankful to have reconnected with him while also getting to know his family. We wish him all the best with the Pirates."