King’s Fork High School baseball players Tim Gromkoski and Ricky McCleod signed their National Letters of Intent Friday to play at the next level.

The Bulldogs have recently wrapped up their regular season and are getting ready to head into the post season. In the meantime, Gromkoski and McCleod have been making important decisions.

McCleod will be taking his talents to Chowan University, an NCAA Division II school in the CIAA Conference. The senior had a handful of offers elsewhere but felt Chowan was the most competitive and that he could come in and grow on the field and off the field his freshman season.

The interest in McCleod started picking up lately due to his increase in pitching velocity. He decided to choose Chowan where he won’t be too far away from home — but not too close either. In his early discussion with coaches, he will have a big role in the pitching staff. They look forward to seeing him hit as well, so it is likely he will be a two-way player for the Hawks.

The Bulldog admits, at first, he had his eyes only on Division I schools but realized big things come in small packages. Shortly after, he felt he needed to choose Chowan. He has plans to be the CIAA Rookie of the Year and, off the field, achieve the dean’s list.

The last CIAA Rookie of the Year was Corey Fago, also a Suffolk native. McCleod could potentially make two back-to-back Suffolk natives winning the honors. At Chowan, McCleod plans to major in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic science.

Gromkoski will be attending Stratford University in Newport News. It is the first year having a baseball program, and the senior felt it will be a good opportunity for him. He has a great relationship with the coaches there and ultimately sees a lot of success for the program in the future.

His role hasn’t been quite defined, but regardless, he wants to make an impact.

“It’s all going to depend on how I carry myself and how I perform on and off the field,” Gromkoski said. “If all goes as planned, I look to find myself playing a lot and contributing.”

Gromkoski has plans to major in cyber engineering. After he saw the campus and what will be offered to him, he felt it was great for him and his family.

Both seniors have been enjoying their senior seasons so far.

“Overall, it has been great,” Gromkoski said. “It has gone by super fast, but I’m more than ready to start new in college.”

“It’s been great so far,” McCleod said. “I’m enjoying the last bit of it.”

McCleod and Gromkoski make a total of four signees for the Bulldog baseball team. Tristen DeGuzman and Blake Sargent have also signed to play at the next level.