June 6, 2003

Eleventh year baseball coach Mike Wilson announced today the signing to national letters of intent of six baseball players who will play for Duquesne next season. Jeremy Gerger (Madison, OH/Madison), Joseph Kaye (Pittsburgh, PA/Penn Hills), Derek Mechling (Homer City, PA/Homer Center), Nolan Pena (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Archbishop Carroll (Miami, FL)), Andrew Rafalski (Carnegie, PA/Montour) and Alexander Sharick (Lower Burrell, PA/Burrell) are the newest Dukes.

Gerger was a three-year varsity letterman and two-time Lake County All Star at second base. Also an American Legion player, he is slated to pitch for the Dukes.

Kaye, a four-year varsity letterman, was a participant in the Keystone Games after his junior year. A cross country runner for two years, he was also a two-time American Legion All-Star.

Mechling is a four-time varsity starter and three-time member of the Indiana County All-Area Team. He too, was an American Legion All-Star and played for the Allegheny Pirates and Blue-Grey Team in Jacksonville, FL.

Rafalski, a three-year letter-winner, was the recipient of the DiClemente exemplary player award for hustle and sportsmanship. A three-year letterman, he was named All-Section as a junior.

Sharick was a three-year letterman and three-year starting catcher. His team finished third in the WPIAL in 2001 and 2002 and was a state runner-up in 2001.

The Dukes finished the 2003 season at 25-29 and made Duquesne's first ever appearance at the Atlantic 10 Championship.