TITANS `09: Logged 27.1 innings in 25 appearances (second on the team) entirely out of the bullpen • Picked up his first collegiate win in his third appearance of the year, a two-inning, three-strikeout performance at San Diego State on Feb. 24 •Struck out a season-high three batters on three occasions • His longest outing of the year came on Mar. 7 when he went 2.2 innings in relief in the Titans' 11-6 win over Oral Roberts • Allowed just three extra-base hits (two doubles and a triple) all year • Allowed a run in just four of his 25 appearances.

SANTA ANA COLLEGE: Played two seasons at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, Calif., under former Titan assistant and long-time Don skipper Don Sneddon • Was named the 2008 Southern California Pitcher of the Year as well as the Orange Empire Conference Pitcher of the Year following his sophomore season's 8-4 record with a 3.09 ERA • Struck out 89 in 113.2 innings in 2008 while holding his opponents to a .231 batting average over 18 appearances • Had 3 complete games including a one-hit shutout against L.A. Harbor on Feb. 9, 2008 • Was 1-2 with a 6.04 ERA as a freshman in 13 appearances out of the bullpen in 2007 • Struck out 16 in 28.1 innings for the Dons, making one start.

EL DORADO HS:Was a two-year letterwinner in baseball at El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif., under Head Coach Steve Gullotti • Named the Century League's Co-Most Valuable Player his senior year in 2006 • Was also an All-CIF and all-county player for the Golden Hawks his senior year.

PERSONAL: Born on Feb. 4, 1988, in Fullerton, Calif. • Parents are Ronnie and Rhonda Mertins • Has an older brother (Kurt), a younger brother (Kent) and a younger sister (Kristi) • Full name is Kyle Robert Mertins • Majoring in kinesiology • Models his game after Angels reliever Scot Shields • Says his greatest baseball influence is coaching legend Don Sneddon • Favorites include: Megan Fox (actor), "The Hangover" (movie), Lil Wayne and Drake (musical artists), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Detroit Tigers (teams), facebook.com (websites).

MERTINS' DIV. I CAREER HIGHS
Innings Pitched:2.2, Mar. 7, 2009 at Southern Miss
Strikeouts:3, 3 times, last on May 17, 2009 at UCLA
Hits Allowed:5, 2 times, last on Apr. 29, 2009 vs. USC
Runs Allowed:4, Mar. 7, 2009 at Southern Miss
Earned Runs Allowed:3, Mar. 7, 2009 at Southern Miss
Walks Allowed:3, Mar. 7, 2009 at Southern Miss