Little Falls, NJ --The New Jersey Jackals announce relief pitcher, Nate Gercken, is returning for the 2018 season. Last year, the 25-year-old right hander, was one the team's most durable and reliable relievers. Gercken led the team with 43 appearances, including a 16-game stretch without yielding an earned run. During this span, Nate allowed just 6 walks and recorded 11 strikeouts over 17 innings. Gercken finished the year with a 2-2 record, 2.70 ERA and 47 strikeouts through 46.2 IP. 

A native of Piermont, New York, Gercken attended the Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA) and pitched four seasons for the Urban Knights. During his senior year, Nate set single-season school records for wins (6), strikeouts (79), ERA (2.90), shutouts (2), and innings pitched (96.1).

Gercken was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 17th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. He was assigned to the Elizabethton Twins in the Rookie Level Appalachian League where he appeared in 11 games (2 starts) while recording 35 strikeouts in 35 innings. He split the 2016 season with the San Rafael Pacifics and the Pittsburg Diamonds of the Pacific Association where he went a combined 3-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

The 2017 Season marked an excellent rookie stint for Gercken in New Jersey. A workhorse in the bullpen, Jackals Manager, Brooks Carey, is excited to bring Nate back for the 2018 Season. “Nate had a great rookie season for the Jackals in 2017. We are counting on him to be even better this season and be one of our key late inning guys.”

About the New Jersey Jackals

The New Jersey Jackals’ professional baseball team plays at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, NJ on the campus of Montclair State University. Yogi Berra Stadium is centrally located near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 46 and is easily accessible by car or via local commuter trains, which offer stops on the university’s campus. Open since 1998, Yogi Berra Stadium’s seating capacity exceeds 5,000, including fixed seats, lawn seating, an open-air picnic area for birthday parties and special events, and, a general admission lawn seating section. For group and season tickets, call 973-746-7434 or email contact@jackals.com.

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