Nov. 13, 2004

Mario Duarte has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Florida Atlantic University announced recruiting coordinator John McCormack. With the addition of Duarte in the early signing period, FAU now has nine commitments for the 2004-05 season.

Currently a senior at Gaither High School in Tampa, FL, Duarte has been a force on the field and in the classroom. An outfielder, he played on the Team Florida USA team in the summer of 2003 where he hit .438 in the Super Seven Series at East Cobb and earned the tournaments Best Student-Athlete Award.

This fall he was a named to the All-Tournament Team at the Terry Pendelton Wooden Bat Series where his team, the Orlando Scorpion Scout Team, won the tournament.

In the classroom he supports a 4.9 GPA is in the Honors Program and is a member of the National Honor Society.

""Mario is a tremendous athlete. He can play all three outfield positions," stated McCormack. "We are excited to add a player of his caliber to the program."