UTICA, Mich. – Despite spending over a year away from the sport, former Northwest and Southern Miss right-handed pitcher Jarod Wright is getting a chance to follow his big league dreams after signing to play in the United Shores Professional Baseball League earlier this week.

Founded in 2016, the USPBL is an independent league that allows undrafted players out of college or released minor league players a chance to stay in baseball shape, while trying to earn another shot at earning a professional baseball contract.

Based in Detroit, the USPBL consists of four teams that play in suburban Detroit, including Wright's new team, the Westside Woolly Mammoths. All four teams play at Jimmy John's Field in Utica, Mich. with a 50-game schedule for each club.

In his two seasons at Northwest from 2016-17, Wright served as the team's primary ace and made 31 career appearances, collecting a 14-9 overall record and tying Chase Ware (2006-07) for third all-time in career wins. The Arlington, Tenn. native also struck out 129 batters (third all-time) in 28 starts and 162 innings pitched, setting program records for both categories.

At Southern Miss, Wright made 34 appearances with 38 strikeouts and a 3-4 overall record, helping the Golden Eagles to back-to-back Conference USA Tournament championships and two NCAA Baseball Regionals.

Click here for more on Wright's post-collegiate baseball journey.