#19
Bill Merkler
Senior
Catcher
South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield

At Delaware: Will share catching duties with fellow seniors Ryan Reed and Chris Nehl • solid defensive catcher with outstanding power at the plate.

2008: Suffered through an injury-plagued junior campaign that saw him miss the first two weeks of the season • still appeared in 36 games with 31 starts • served as a designated hitter while also splitting time between first and third base • one of the top defensive catchers in the conference but only appeared in one game at the position while nursing a back injury • posted 27 hits on the season, including nine for extra-bases • knocked in 24 runs and scored 18 more • one of the team’s top power hitters, started in the clean-up spot during 11 contests • in just his third game of the season, went 3-for-5 with three RBI against Old Dominion on March 9 • three days later, went 4-for-5 with two RBI • posted three consecutive multi-hit efforts from May 4-7 • knocked in four runs against UMBC on May 6.

2007: Appeared in 52 games with 46 starts • started 24 games behind the plate, nine as the designated hitter, eight at third base, and five at first • finished the season with a .261 batting average, six home runs, and 12 RBI • had three hits and a home run against both Towson on March 11 and Northeastern on April 28 • also went 3-for-5 with two RBI against Rutgers on April 11 • as a catcher, he finished with just one error and a .994 fielding percentage • had a season-long seven-game hitting streak from May 4-12 • finished the season with a six-game streak and had at least one hit in 15 of his last 17 games • had 11 multi-hit games and seven contests during which he had at least two RBI.

2006: Hit .284 in 33 games, including 24 starts • hit 10 home runs in only 95 at-bats • set a new Delaware record for chances in a season without an error with 168 • threw out 14 of 27 attempted base stealers • posted two homers and five RBI in the Hens last two games.

High School: Three-year letterwinner at South Plainfield High School for coach Ray Ciecwisz • named Rookie of the Year in 2003 • named defensive player of the year as a sophomore and junior • named all-state, all-county and all-conference as a senior • also named offensive player of the year as a senior • team won division championship with a record of 20-7.

Personal: William Joseph "Bill" Merkler • son of Robert and Doreen Merkler • older brother Bobby is a teacher who coaches baseball and football at Edison High School in Edison, NJ • favorite food is sushi • enjoys hunting and spending time at the beach • criminal justice major at Delaware.