CSNbbs

Quote: - April 26, 2006

Northern Illinois University right-handed pitcher David Nykiel has agreed to join the Pittsfield Dukes for the 2006 season as the Dukes enter their third season in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL).

Nykiel, a 6?2 sophomore out of Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois, pitches out of the bullpen for Northern Illinois. Northern Illinois Head Coach Ed Mathey provided a scouting report on Nykiel: ?David is a right-handed pitcher, standing 6?2, throws a fastball which he locates well, has a pretty decent slider, his pitches go up around 87-88 miles per hour with a deceptive arm angle. The ball comes up on the batter quickly. He has been working out of the bullpen for us; he has been a great set-up guy.?

During his freshman year, Nykiel pitched 32 innings recording two wins and one save. His sophomore year has seen him pitch exclusively out of the bullpen, managing a 3.54 earned run average in 18 appearances. As of April 25, he has pitched 20.1 innings giving up 8 earned runs while recording 26 strikeouts. Batters are hitting just .253 against him.

Nykiel is very excited about wearing a Dukes uniform during the upcoming summer. ?I am real excited about playing for the Dukes. I am looking forward to showing what I can do. We want to win. We all have been in college sports long enough to know everyone wants to win.?

?David has a lot of confidence; he isn?t afraid to compete and that really rubs off on his teammates. He is quietly deceptive. He just goes out and does his job, battles everyday. He loves baseball and it really shows through in his play? said Mathey.