June 23, 2003

Duke seniors Jeff Alleva and Troy Caradonna have signed pro baseball contracts and have begun their professional baseball careers. Alleva signed with the Kansas City Royals and Caradonna signed with the New York Yankees.

Alleva, who led Duke in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched in 2003, has reported to Phoenix, Ariz., to begin his career with the Royals. Alleva posted a 4-7 record with a 4.62 ERA for the Blue Devils and struck out 62 batters while walking just 16 in 78.0 innings. He ranks among Duke's career leaders in pitching appearances (3rd, 80), saves (6th, 8), starts (9th, 34), innings pitched (10th, 264.1) and strikeouts (12th, 173) and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology this spring.

Alleva joins his brother, J.D., in the Royals organization. J.D. Alleva completed his collegiate career with the Blue Devils in 2001 and was a 24th-round selection of Kansas City. He is playing for the Class A Wilmington Blue Rocks and hit a game-winning home run in the 13th inning on Saturday. After watching his brother lift the Blue Rocks to victory over the Winston-Salem Warthogs, Jeff Alleva signed with the Royals.

Troy Caradonna is playing for the Class A Staten Island Yankees

Caradonna is playing for the Staten Island Yankees in the Class A New York-Penn League after hitting .309 with 14 doubles and 38 runs batted in for the Blue Devils this year. He was second on the Duke squad in batting average, home runs (3), doubles and RBIs this spring. Caradonna, who graduated with a degree in sociology, ranks among Duke's career leaders in games played (T3rd, 219), games started (4th, 217), at bats (4th, 821), hits (10th, 246) and RBIs (11th, 132). A four-year starter for the Blue Devils, Caradonna hit .300 during his collegiate career.

Alleva and Caradonna join Brian Patrick as members of the Duke Baseball Class of 2003 in professional baseball. Patrick was a 25th-round selection of the Toronto Blue Jays and is playing for the Auburn (N.Y.) Doubledays of the New York-Penn League.