CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball today announced the schedule for the 2022 Collegiate National Team, highlighted by the red, white, and blue’s return to Honkbalweek Haarlem from July 8-15 at Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, Netherlands, where the U.S. will compete for the first time since 2014. The Collegiate team’s summer tour will also include a five-game series against an opponent to be named later from June 30-July 4 in Cary, Durham, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We are thrilled to return to international competition with the Collegiate National Team in 2022,” USA Baseball Collegiate National Team General Manager Eric Campbell said. “Prior to that, we are excited to continue the tradition of Team USA taking the field in both Durham and Charlotte. The Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Truist Field are each outstanding venues and we are looking forward to an unforgettable experience for the fans and our athletes.”

To kickstart its 2022 summer schedule, the Collegiate National Team will compete in a five-game series from June 30-July 4. The first game of the series is set to take place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, at 7 p.m. ET before the squad travels to compete in games two, three, and four of the series at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) in Durham, North Carolina. First pitch of games two and four is set for 6:35 p.m. ET on July 1 and 3, respectively, and game three is scheduled for a 5:05 p.m. ET first pitch. Fireworks will follow the contests on July 1 and 3 while kids and fans will be able to run the bases at the conclusion of game three on July 2.

2022 marks the Collegiate National Team’s 17th year playing at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Collegiate team has collected a 52-10-1 record against both domestic and international opponents dating back to its opening in 1995, most recently going head-to-head with the Olympic Team in a training contest prior to the U.S. claiming the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. USA Baseball alumni that have played at the DBAP include former MLB MVPs Dustin Pedroia and Justin Verlander, as well as 32 MLB All-Stars, and nine past World Series champions.

“The long-standing partnership we have enjoyed with USA Baseball has been incredible, and we’re very excited the DBAP will once again host some of the country’s most talented players,” said Mike Birling, Durham Bulls Vice President of Baseball Operations. “We look forward to seeing the future stars join the 32 MLB All-Stars who participated in past games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.”

Team USA will conclude its domestic tour on July 4 at Truist Field, the home of the Charlotte Knights, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will begin at 6:05 p.m. ET and will be followed by the return of the annual WBT SkyShow. This year will be the sixth time Team USA has played at Truist Field, most recently defeating Cuba 4-2 on July 3, 2019, in game two of the 8th Annual USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series.

To round out its 2022 campaign, the Collegiate National Team will compete at the Honkbalweek Haarlem tournament. The U.S. will begin the event against Japan on July 9 at 8 a.m. ET (1 p.m. local time) before taking on Italy, Cuba, the Netherlands, and Chinese Taipei to close out group stage play. The second round of the tournament will then be played on July 14 ahead of the championship on July 15.

The U.S. has competed at Honkbalweek Haarlem five times since 2000 and has earned three gold medals in that time, including winning the championship in its most recent appearance at the event in 2014. The Collegiate National Team dropped its first contest of the tournament that summer to Japan, 1-0, but then did not lose another game, finishing with a 7-1 record and outscoring opponents 34-5 in its final six games to claim the gold. Team USA also won gold in the 2000, 2002, and 2008 editions of the event and earned a bronze medal in 2012.

The Collegiate National Team will be led in 2022 by Ole Miss’ Mike Bianco, who will make his USA Baseball managerial debut and second appearance overall in the red, white, and blue this summer. The 2020 National Coach of the Year served as the pitching coach for the 2013 Collegiate National Team and led the U.S. pitching staff to a collective 1.87 ERA, a 20-3 record, and 222 strikeouts during that summer’s campaign.

Bianco is the winningest coach in Ole Miss history since taking over the program in 2000. Prior to leading Ole Miss to a No. 1 ranking and 15-4 record this season, he posted an 812-462-1 (.637) record in 21 seasons at the helm and has guided the Rebels to 17 postseason appearances, seven Super Regionals, and a College World Series berth in 2014. He also earned both his 900th career victory and his 800th win in an Ole Miss uniform with a defeat of Texas A&M on May 8, 2021, becoming one of just 16 active head coaches to reach the 900 mark and one of just two in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alongside Arkansas’ Dave Van Horn.

The rest of the 2022 Collegiate National Team staff, as well as Team USA’s final roster, will be announced at a later date.

For the most up-to-date information on the Collegiate National Team, follow @USABaseballCNT and @USABaseball on Twitter.

The full 2022 Collegiate National Team schedule is as follows:
(Date; Matchup; Location; Time)

2022 Team USA Domestic Dates

• Thursday, June 30; USA vs. TBD; Cary, North Carolina; 7 p.m. ET
• Friday, July 1; USA vs. TBD; Durham, North Carolina; 6:35 p.m. ET
• Saturday, July 2; USA vs. TBD; Durham, North Carolina; 5:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday, July 3; USA vs. TBD; Durham, North Carolina; 6:35 p.m. ET
• Monday, July 4; USA vs. TBD; Charlotte, North Carolina; 6:05 p.m. ET

2022 Honkbalweek Haarlem

• Saturday, July 9; USA vs. Japan; Haarlem, the Netherlands; 8 a.m. ET
• Sunday, July 10; USA vs. Italy; Haarlem, the Netherlands; 7 a.m. ET
• Monday, July 11; USA vs. Cuba; Haarlem, the Netherlands; 2:30 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 12; USA vs. the Netherlands; Haarlem, the Netherlands; 2:30 p.m. ET
• Wednesday, July 13; USA vs. Chinese Taipei; Haarlem, the Netherlands; 10:30 a.m. ET
• Thursday, July 14; Second round games
• Friday, July 15; Championship game

UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC -- Baseball and fireworks on the Fourth of July are back this year in Uptown Charlotte as the Charlotte Knights and News Talk 1110 AM/99.3 FM WBT are pleased to announce the return of the annual WBT SkyShow at Truist Field on Monday, July 4th. Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski made the announcement live in studio this morning on the Bo Thompson Morning Show on News Talk 1110 AM/99.3 FM WBT.

LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN THE SOUTHEAST IS BACK

For the eighth time since opening Truist Field in 2014, the Knights and News Talk 1110 WBT/99.3 FM will host the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. Last year’s event drew the ballpark’s highest-ever in-park crowd at 10,969 fans.

USA BASEBALL GAME BACK IN THE QUEEN CITY

With the Knights on the road against the Gwinnett Stripers on July 4th this season, Truist Field will play host to an exciting USA Baseball game this year. This year’s contest will feature the first USA Baseball game at Truist Field since July 3, 2019. That season, USA Baseball faced the Cuban National Team at Truist Field for the third time in the ballpark’s history (2015, 2017 & 2019). In all, USA Baseball has played five games at Truist Field. USA Baseball played Japan at Truist Field in 2016 and again in 2018.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on July 4th and first pitch of the USA Baseball game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Truist Field. Matchup details will be announced at a later time.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW

Tickets for this game, as well as all 75 regular-season Charlotte Knights games, are on sale now and can be purchased online at CharlotteKnights.com, by phone at 704-274-8282 or in person at the Truist Field Ticket Office. Opening Knight of the 2022 season for the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field is set for Tuesday, April 12 at 6:35 p.m.

CARY, N.C. -- USA Baseball today named University of Mississippi’s Mike Bianco the manager of the 2022 Collegiate National Team. Bianco is entering his 22nd season leading the Rebels, where he earned National Coach of the Year honors in 2020 and has become the winningest coach in Ole Miss history since taking over the program in 2000.

This role will mark Bianco’s USA Baseball managerial debut and his second time overall working with the Collegiate National Team. His first stint with Team USA came in 2013 when he served as the pitching coach for the red, white, and blue. He led the U.S. pitching staff to a collective 1.87 ERA, a 20-3 record, and 222 strikeouts during the summer campaign.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike back to Team USA as the manager of the Collegiate National Team in 2022,” USA Baseball General Manager of National Teams Eric Campbell said. “Mike is an outstanding baseball coach who has set a remarkable standard of excellence and success in his long tenure at the University of Mississippi. His expertise and passion for the game will be invaluable assets for these young athletes and we look forward to having him lead what will undoubtedly be an exceptionally talented team this summer.”

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the manager of the Collegiate National Team,” said Bianco. “I did it as an assistant back in 2013 and it was one of those ‘dream come true’ scenarios. Anytime you can put USA across your chest and represent your country is a special thing and to do it again as the manager is a really cool feeling.”

Bianco has posted an 812-462-1 (.637) record in 21 seasons at the helm of the Ole Miss program and has guided the Rebels to 17 postseason appearances, seven Super Regionals, and a College World Series berth in 2014. He earned both his 900th career victory and his 800th win in an Ole Miss uniform with a defeat of Texas A&M on May 8, 2021, becoming one of just 16 active head coaches to reach the 900 mark and one of just two in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alongside Arkansas’ Dave Van Horn. During his tenure, Bianco has led the Rebels to 30 or more wins in all his 20 full seasons, including nine 40-win campaigns. The Rebels posted three straight 40-win seasons for the first time in school history from 2005-2007 and racked up another trio of seasons that surpassed the 40-win mark in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Additionally, Ole Miss has tied the program record of 48 wins three times in Bianco’s career, most recently matching the mark with a 48-17 (.738) record in 2018 – the best win percentage by a Rebel team in 48 seasons. In 2020, Bianco led the Rebels on a 16-1 start to the season, ending on a 16-game win streak that was the longest in the nation and one victory short of the program record for consecutive wins when the season was cut short due to the pandemic. For his efforts, Bianco became the first Ole Miss head coach to be named National Coach of the Year in 2020. The program has also become a powerhouse in the SEC under Bianco’s leadership, winning four Western Division titles, two SEC Tournament titles, and one regular-season championship.

Over the course of his career at Ole Miss, Bianco has seen 119 of his players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft with 20 drafted in the past four years alone. Under his guidance, 20 Rebels have gone on to earn spots on Major League rosters, including 2017 All-Star Zack Cozart, two-time All-Star and 2011 World Series champion Lance Lynn, and 2016 All-Star and 2018 World Series champion Drew Pomeranz. Additionally, Bianco has also coached 89 All-America and Freshman All-America selections and 70 All-SEC players.

Ten of his former players have competed on the Collegiate National Team, including Seth Smith (2003), Stephen Head (2003), Zack Cozart (2006), Cody Satterwhite (2007), Lance Lynn (2007), Drew Pomeranz (2009), Bobby Wahl (2012), Doug Nikhazy (2019), Hayden Dunhurst (2021), and Jacob Gonzalez (2021).

The remaining 2022 Collegiate National Team staff, as well as more information about the 2022 Collegiate National Team schedule, will be announced at a later date.

For the most up-to-date information on the Collegiate National Team, follow @USABaseballCNT and @USABaseball on Twitter.

CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball today named the recipients of its annual organizational awards, recognizing the top athletes, coaches, and performances from its 2021 USA Baseball national teams. Olympian Tyler Austin was honored as the Richard W. “Dick” Case Award winner, becoming the first Professional National Team alumnus to earn athlete of the year honors since 2009. The award is given annually to USA Baseball’s top player in honor of the organization’s founding Executive Director and CEO. 

Professional National Team members collected top honors in several other categories in 2021, including Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year Mike Scioscia. Todd Frazier earned the International Performance of the Year award after helping Team USA clinch its spot in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and John Fierro was named the Service Provider of the Year after serving as the team’s Certified Athletic Trainer for the ninth time in his career. Additionally, the Olympic Team won USA Baseball’s Team of the Year after winning the silver medal in the Olympic Games.

Collegiate National Team Manager Elliott Avent was named the organization’s first-ever College Coach of the Year and 18U National Team Manager Jason Maxwell earned the Developmental Coach of the Year award for the second time in his career. Additionally, Troy Tulowitzki was honored as the Volunteer Coach of the Year.

Rounding out the awards in 2021 is Coach Educator of the Year Michael Cuddyer and USA Baseball Director of Development Jim Koerner, who was named the organization’s “Doc” Councilman Science Award recipient. 

“We are thrilled to close out our 2021 season by recognizing a group of tremendous individuals for their contributions and successes representing USA Baseball this year,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball’s Executive Director/CEO. “Each award recipient shined on and off the field this year but also collectively excelled as ambassadors of baseball in the United States domestically and internationally. It is a privilege to have them as members of the USA Baseball family and we will continue to honor their successes for many years to come.”

The complete list of the 2021 USA Baseball organizational award winners is as follows: 

• Richard W. “Dick” Case Award: Tyler Austin, Olympic Team
• Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year: Mike Scioscia, Olympic Team
• Team of the Year: Olympic Team
• International Performance of the Year: Todd Frazier, Olympic Qualifying Team
• Service Provider of the Year: John Fierro, Olympic Team
• Developmental Coach of the Year: Jason Maxwell, 18U National Team
• College Coach of the Year: Elliott Avent, Collegiate National Team
• Volunteer Coach of the Year: Troy Tulowitzki, Collegiate National Team & 13U/14U Athlete Development Program
• Coach Educator of the Year: Michael Cuddyer, USA Baseball Develops Blog
• “Doc” Councilman Science Award: Jim Koerner, USA Baseball

Tyler Austin was awarded the Richard W. “Dick” Case Award after being named to the All-Olympic Team following Tokyo 2020. He led Team USA in eight offensive categories in the Olympic Games: batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, total bases, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. The stars and stripes’ designated hitter finished the tournament hitting .417 with three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, and a .462 on-base percentage. His offensive contributions led the red, white, and blue to a silver medal, its first Olympic medal since 2008.

Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year Mike Scioscia took over the USA Baseball Professional National Team program in 2021 searching for not only a spot in the Olympic Games but an Olympic Medal… and he delivered. First, Team USA finished the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball Americas Qualifier with an undefeated record to clinch its spot in the Games. Then he followed that by leading the U.S. to a silver medal in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Under his leadership, Team USA finished with an overall record of 8-2 over both tournaments in 2021, suffering its only two losses to eventual Olympic gold medalists Japan in the Olympic Games. The silver medal was Team USA’s second silver (Los Angeles 1984)–fifth overall–in Olympic history, and the first Olympic medal since 2008. Their achievements also earned them the 2021 USA Baseball Team of the Year award.

The Olympic Qualifying Team’s Todd Frazier earned the 2021 International Performance of the Year award after his perfect 4-for-4 performance against Venezuela clinched Team USA’s spot in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Frazier sparked Team USA in the field and at the plate, starting a momentum-swinging 5-3 double-play that thwarted a first-inning Venezuela threat. He recorded hits in each of his four at-bats and was involved in every scoring play of the night for Team USA. He came home on Eric Filia’s two-run blast, laced an RBI double in the fifth inning, and hit a critical home run in the seventh, driving in the final two U.S. runs of the night in the 4-2 victory.

Olympic Team Certified Athletic Trainer John Fierro was named the Service Provider of the Year in 2021 after making his eighth and ninth appearances on a USA Baseball administrative staff, respectively, as a member of the Olympic qualifying team and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games staff. Thanks to his successful career in professional baseball that spans over 30 years, Fierro is one of the most sought-after Certified Athletic Trainers and a staple for Team USA’s Professional National Teams. With his assistance and attention to the athletes in 2021, the Professional National Team qualified for the Olympics after going unbeaten in the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier and followed by winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

Jason Maxwell received his second career USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year award after leading the 18U National Team to a dominant and overwhelming victory over Canada in its seven-game international friendship series. Finishing with a record of 5-1-1 over its seven games, the 18U National Team outscored Canada 60-11 and dominated nearly every statistical category. Maxwell also focused on developing the team’s mental approach to the game and their lives throughout his time guiding Team USA. 2021 marks Maxwell’s second time earning this honor, having also won the award in 2018 after leading the 15U National Team to its first-ever world championship.

Elliott Avent, NC State University’s Head Coach and the 2021 Collegiate National Team Manager, had a banner year in 2021, earning the first-ever USA Baseball College Coach of the Year. Avent led his Wolfpack on a historic run through the NCAA postseason, knocking off the No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks on their home field in the Super Regionals before eventually making the semifinals of the College World Series. Following their tremendous run and finishing the season 37-19, Avent managed the Collegiate National Team in 2021. Without an international opponent for Team USA to face due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he led an unprecedented number of athletes on two rosters in an 11-game Stars and Stripes series. Ultimately, his summer ended by facing off against the U.S. Olympic Team in a three-game exhibition series before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Five-time MLB All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and now 2021 USA Baseball Volunteer Coach of the Year Troy Tulowitzki coached with both the Collegiate National Team and the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program in 2021. Tulowitzki drew from his successful playing career to offer a unique perspective to the USA Baseball athletes he worked with as a coach of two programs. In addition to his regular coaching duties with the Collegiate National Team, he mentored the athletes on transitioning from amateur to professional baseball. Expanding on this role while on the coaching staff at the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program, Tulowitzki hosted a seminar for the participants and their parents to discuss college recruiting, providing in-depth strategies and insight into navigating the process. He also made himself available to all athletes and their families, engaging with them and offering additional advice as asked.

Coach Educator of the Year Michael Cuddyer is a two-time MLB All-Star, the 2013 MLB Batting Title champion, and a regular contributor to the USA Baseball Sport Development Blog. Simultaneously serving as an assistant coach for the USA Baseball 18U National Team in 2021, Cuddyer continued to produce a weekly educational series titled Cuddyer’s Corner for USA Baseball’s social media profiles, YouTube channel, and official website. Every week he focuses on a range of topics that affect the game of baseball in the United States. His unique insight as a former All-Star in Major League Baseball, a USA Baseball national team alum, and a coach helps countless coaches, parents, and leagues in the development of a well-rounded baseball player, improving their skills and overall experience within the game.

Lastly, Jim Koerner was honored with the “Doc” Councilman Science Award after working with nearly every single program USA Baseball hosted in 2021. During this season, he focused on the developmental side of baseball, utilizing every available technological offering USA Baseball provides to its athletes. Koerner allowed real-time data from swing and pitch tracking analysis, as well as statistics collected from the Major League Baseball and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline Performance Evaluations, to drive his coaching efforts. His focus on developing athletes using analytics allows athletes to make immediate adjustments in practice and game situations. Moreover, Koerner also utilizes the data collection to create long-term development curricula, exercise programs, drills for athletes of all ages, and educational video series for baseball players across the country.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) annually honors one Sportsman, Sportswoman, and Team of the Year based on nominations from its national governing bodies. Additionally, they also present Olympic, College, Developmental, and Volunteer Coach of the Year awards, as well as a Coach Educator of the Year, “Doc” Councilman Science Award, and Service Provider of the Year. USA Baseball’s award winners serve as the organization’s nominees in their respective categories with the USOPC.

Photo Album

APEX, N.C. -- Two-time USA Baseball national team alumnus and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games silver medalist Tim Federowicz hosted a USA Baseball Homegrown Clinic in his hometown of Apex, North Carolina, on Saturday. Hosted at the ball field of his alma mater, Apex High School, nearly 150 youth from the area joined in on the fun, getting to play baseball with a hometown hero.

Before turning the event over to Federowicz, kids were welcomed to the event by members of the Apex High School baseball team, USA Baseball's mascot Freedom, Apex High School Baseball Coach Lane Olive, and Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert.

“Tim understands he comes back and pours into the community to bring up the next person,” said Mayor Gilbert. “There is another young Tim that is ready to also move forward and achieve much success, and they can use Tim as an inspiration. I think that is what we all should do, inspire others through our success. I think that is what Tim is going to continue to do for many. They can see him and say ‘Wow, I can accomplish this same thing!’.

Attendees were split into groups and participated in baseball stations, such as base running, throwing, and home run derby, before playing a modified baseball scrimmage where Federowicz served as a designated pitcher.

The event concluded with a question-and-answer session with the participants. There, they learned that Federowicz’s favorite baseball player growing up was Derek Jeter, and his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. Each kid then got to meet him one-on-one and received an autographed poster before heading home.

“I love any chance to give back to the community, especially the one I grew up in,” said Federowicz. “I remember coming to camps like this growing up. It’s just cool to get out there and see the younger generations and how excited they were to come out here and play. Interacting with the kids, getting to pitch, and getting to see them smile and have fun diving all over the place... it’s just awesome.”

CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball today announced that Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist and three-time USA Baseball alum Tim Federowicz will host a Homegrown Clinic at Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 1-3 p.m.

The event is free and open to 150 kids aged 5-12 from the greater Triangle area. Parents can register their kids for the Homegrown Clinic here.

USA Baseball Homegrown Clinics are designed to introduce kids to the fundamentals of baseball and softball in a fun, non-competitive, community-based environment. Participants will get outside to learn and play America's pastime alongside a Team USA alum from their hometown.

Federowicz played for the Apex High School Cougars from 2002-2005 before moving on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was named a First-Team Freshman All-American. After playing for the Collegiate National Team in 2006, he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the seventh round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft, played eight seasons in Major League Baseball, and earned a silver medal for Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in August.

During the event, participants will go through various stations manned by members of the Cougar’s baseball and softball programs, including baserunning, catching/throwing, fielding, and a home run derby. Additionally, they will participate in a Q&A session and play in a modified scrimmage with Federowicz. Every child who attends will also receive a t-shirt and a poster commemorating the event.

USA Baseball will implement the COVID-19 protocols mandated by the local government for all participants and attendees during the Homegrown Clinic. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and will be required to follow the required COVID-19 protocols. To RSVP for the event, members of the media may fill out a credential application here.

CARY, N.C. – With the Atlanta Braves 7-0 win in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night, seven USA Baseball alumni became World Series Champions, as announced by the organization on Wednesday.

Ian Anderson, Travis d’Arnaud, Freddie Freeman, AJ Minter, Drew Smyly, Dansby Swanson, and Kyle Wright were all crowned champions after the Atlanta Braves’ series-clinching victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

From #ForGlory🇺🇸 to #ForTheA

Our guys showed up in a big way for Atlanta's #WorldSeries run 😤 pic.twitter.com/SHtdoZn2lq

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) November 3, 2021

Anderson tossed 5.0 hitless innings in Game 3 of the World Series, earning a win in his only appearance of the series. It was the second longest no-hit bid by a rookie in the World Series. The 2015 18U National Team alum made four starts throughout the postseason, going 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. He earned a win in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), pitching five scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Anderson made a pair of starts in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), posting a 3.86 ERA against the defending-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander, who is now 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his postseason career, won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2015.

d’Arnaud, a 2011 Professional Team alum, caught all 16 of the Braves postseason games. He hit two homers in the World Series, going yard in back-to-back games in Games 2 and 3. d’Arnaud hit .216 and drove in three runs throughout the postseason, and served as the catcher for a pitching staff that had a 3.06 ERA in the World Series. d’Arnaud caught four games for Team USA at the 2011 Baseball World Cup.

Freeman batted .318 in the World Series, hitting a pair of homers and driving in five runs. Playing first base in every inning of the postseason, the two-time alum accumulated a .304 batting average with five home runs in the postseason. Freeman had a .420 OBP in the playoffs while anchoring the Braves infield defense. He now owns a .290 career postseason average to go along with nine homers and 20 RBI. Freeman played for Team USA in back-to-back years, suiting up for the 2005 16U National Team before playing for the 2006 18U National Team.

Minter, a 2014 Collegiate National Team alum, dominated in the NLCS before appearing in three games in the World Series. Minter made four appearances in the NLCS against the Dodgers, allowing no runs and striking out eight batters in 6.0 innings. He allowed just one two hits in the series. Minter threw 4.2 innings in the World Series and struck out seven while allowing four runs. The southpaw earned the win in Game 1 of the World Series, throwing 2.2 innings in a 6-2 win. Minter won a gold medal with the Collegiate National Team at the XXVIII Haarlem Baseball Week in Haarlem, Netherlands.

Smyly went 1-0 in three games in the postseason. The two-time Team USA alum earned a win in his first appearance of the playoffs, throwing 3.1 innings in a 9-2 NLCS Game 4 win over the Dodgers. He pitched twice in the World Series, striking out six batters in four innings. The left-hander is now 2-0 in his playoff career, which has spanned three different seasons. After pitching at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, Smyly was part of the gold-medal winning team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Swanson hit two homers in the World Series and played all 16 games of the postseason at shortstop. He hit a game-tying homer in Game 4 of the World Series and hit another home run in Game 6. The 2014 Collegiate National Team alum batted .224 with two home runs and four RBI in the playoffs, picking up at least one hit in 12 of the team’s 16 games. He now owns a .264 career postseason batting average with five homers. Swanson was a teammate of Minter’s in 2014, when they won gold at XXVIII Haarlem Baseball Week.

Wright, a 2016 Collegiate National Team alum, made two appearances in the World Series. The right-hander struck out the side in his World Series debut in Game 2, before throwing 4.2 innings and allowing one run on five hits in Game 4. Wright was added to the Braves postseason roster for the World Series after making his postseason debut in 2020. He had a 2.20 ERA in five appearances with the Collegiate National Team in 2016.

The American League-champion Astros had three USA Baseball alumni participate in the World Series. Five-time alum Alex Bregman, two-time alum Ryne Stanek, and 2015 15U National Team alum Kyle Tucker all represented Team USA in the Fall Classic.

CARY, N.C. – Fifty-six Team USA alumni have been named to Major League Baseball postseason rosters, USA Baseball announced on Friday.

There are at least three USA Baseball alumni on all 10 postseason rosters. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the way with eight alumni, while the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants each boast seven players who previously donned the stars and stripes on their roster.

The list features 30 gold medalists, including 10 members of the 2017 World Baseball Classic gold medal-winning team.

Twenty alumni were on rosters for the American League and National League Wild Card games, which took place on October 5 and 6. The Divisional Series began on Thursday and continues on Friday, with all four divisional round games set to take place.

The complete list of USA Baseball alumni in the 2021 postseason is as follows:

• Atlanta Braves
• (Name; National Team)
• Ian Anderson; 2015 18U
• Travis d'Arnaud; 2011 Pro
• Freddie Freeman; 2005 16U, 2006 18U
• AJ Minter; 2014 Collegiate
• Drew Smyly; 2011 Pro, 2017 WBC
• Dansby Swanson; 2014 Collegiate
• Kyle Wright; 2016 Collegiate

• Boston Red Sox
• Christian Arroyo; 2012 18U
• Matt Barnes; 2010 Collegiate
• Bobby Dalbec; 2015 Collegiate; 2019 Pro
• Jarren Duran; 2021 Pro
• Tanner Houck; 2015, 2016 Collegiate, 2019 Pro
• Kyle Schwarber; 2013 Collegiate
• Alex Verdugo; 2010 14U

• Chicago White Sox
• Zack Collins; 2011 16U; 2014 Collegiate
• Yasmani Grandal; 2009 Collegiate
• Craig Kimbrel; 2013 WBC
• Lance Lynn; 2007 Collegiate
• Carlos Rodon; 2012, 2013 Collegiate
• Andrew Vaughn; 2013 15U, 2017, 2018 Collegiate, 2019 Pro

• Houston Astros
• Alex Bregman; 2010 16U, 2011 18U, 2013, 2014 Collegiate, 2017 WBC
• Jason Castro; 2009 Pro
• Lance McCullers; 2010 18U
• Ryne Stanek; 2011, 2012 Collegiate
• Kyle Tucker; 2012 15U

• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Walker Buehler; 2014 Collegiate
• Joe Kelly; 2007 Collegiate
• Corey Knebel; 2011 Collegiate
• AJ Pollock; 2011 Pro
• David Price; 2005, 2006 Collegiate
• Max Scherzer; 2005 Collegiate
• Corey Seager; 2010 16U
• Trea Turner; 2012, 2013 Collegiate

• Milwaukee Brewers
• Jackie Bradley Jr.; 2010 Collegiate
• Josh Hader; 2015 Pro
• Kolten Wong; 2009 Collegiate
• Christian Yelich; 2017 WBC

• New York Yankees
• Gerrit Cole; 2009, 2010 Collegiate
• Joey Gallo; 2011 18U
• Giancarlo Stanton; 2013, 2017 WBC

• San Francisco Giants
• Kris Bryant; 2012 Collegiate
• Brandon Crawford; 2006 Collegiate, 2017 WBC
• Alex Dickerson; 2010 Collegiate
• Kevin Gausman; 2009 18U, 2011 Collegiate
• Evan Longoria; 2007 Pro, 2009 WBC
• Jake McGee; 2017 WBC
• Buster Posey; 2004 18U, 2017 WBC

• St. Louis Cardinals
• Nolan Arenado; 2017 WBC
• Jack Flaherty; 2013 18U
• Paul Goldschmidt; 2017 WBC
• Andrew Miller; 2017 WBC

• Tampa Bay Rays
• Shane Baz; 2016 18U, 2021 Olympic
• JP Feyereisen; 2019 Pro
• Austin Meadows; 2011 16U
• David Robertson; 2017 WBC, 2021 Olympic
• Michael Wacha; 2011 Collegiate

CARY, N.C. – Triston Casas (Boston Red Sox AA) drove in three runs on Tuesday, including a first-inning two-run homer, as the U.S. Olympic Team took down the Collegiate National Team, 5-2, in its final tune-up game before the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.                                                                                     

The Collegiate National Team cracked the scoreboard early, striking first on a solo homer by Brooks Lee (Cal Poly). Lee turned on the second pitch of the game, cranking it over the wall in right field to put the Collegiate National Team up 1-0.

After Simeon Woods-Richardson (Toronto Blue Jays AA) struck out the next three batters, the Olympic Team responded in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and Todd Frazier on first, Casas launched a two-run shot to center field to put the Olympic Team in front, 2-1.

Woods-Richardson continued his dominance in the second inning, striking out the side for the second consecutive inning. The Olympic Team then threatened with two runners on in the bottom of the frame, but Parker Messick (Florida State) escaped the trouble to keep the deficit at one.

In the top of the third, Woods-Richardson recorded his seventh-straight strikeout to open the inning. But three consecutive singles by Jacob Gonzalez (Ole Miss), Lee, and Gavin Cross (Virginia Tech) got through to tie the game at two runs apiece.

The Olympic Team nearly took the lead back in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally against Justin Campbell (Oklahoma State) when Eric Filia (Seattle Mariners AAA) and Mark Kolozsvary (Cincinnati Reds AA) both singled to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. But Campbell managed to escape the jam when he got Patrick Kivlehan (San Diego Padres AAA) to line out.

After Shane Baz (Tampa Bay Rays AAA) replaced Woods-Richardson and put up a scoreless frame in the fourth, the Olympic Team jumped back in front in the bottom of the inning. Nick Allen (Oakland Athletics AA) led off with a double before Frazier brought him home with a two-out single to right field, making it 3-2 in favor of the Olympic Team.

The game’s middle innings were dominated by pitching. Baz scattered a pair of hits in the fifth frame, but picked up a strikeout in a scoreless inning of work. Nate Savino (Virginia) held the Olympic Team scoreless in the fifth to keep the Collegiate Team within a run. 

Anthony Gose (Cleveland Indians AAA) turned in a scoreless inning in the seventh before the Olympic Team added a pair of insurance runs. Casas once again showed off his power, tripling off the wall in center field to drive in Frazier. Jamie Westbrook (Milwaukee Brewers AAA) followed with an infield single to plate Casas and make it a 5-2 game before David Robertson came in and picked up the save for the second straight day, striking out the side in the game’s final inning to secure the series sweep for the Olympic Team.

Baz picked up the win with three scoreless innings, striking out six as part of five scoreless innings by the Olympic Team bullpen. Casas’ 2-for-5 performance was one of five multi-hit games for the Olympic Team. Allen, Filia, Frazier, and Westbrook all collected two hits in the win.

Savino suffered the loss for the Collegiate National Team, allowing the go-ahead run in two innings of work. Brooks Lee led the team’s offensive attack, picking up three hits and an RBI. Daniel Susac (Arizona) also turned in a multi-hit game for the Collegiate National Team, collecting two hits in the game.

This series wraps up the 2021 Collegiate National Team’s summer tour following an 11-game series from June 2-15 before the squad went head-to-head with the Olympic Team. Following this three-game exhibition series, the Olympic Team will travel to Japan on Wednesday, July 21, and will participate in the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 23. Team USA’s first game of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is scheduled for July 30 against Israel at 7 p.m. JST/6 a.m. EDT

DURHAM, N.C. -- The U.S. Olympic Team's patience paid off in a 1-0 win over the Collegiate National Team on Monday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the second game of a three-game exhibition series. Nick Martinez (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) led the Olympic Team on the mound in the pitcher’s duel, tossing five shutout innings while striking out nine batters.

After neither offense could get anything going in the first, the Collegiate National Team were the first to get the bats going in the second inning when Gavin Cross (Virginia Tech) hit a leadoff-single into left. Cross moved over to third on a one-out single from Logan Tanner (Mississippi State), but a strikeout and pop out got Martinez out of the jam.

After a couple of walks in the first three frames, the Olympic Team got its first hit of the game in the fourth inning on a double from Patrick Kivlehan (San Diego Padres AAA) down the left field line. One batter later, Eric Filia (Seattle Mariners AAA) drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out, but southpaw Chris Villaman (NC State) got out of the jam with a flyout and a strikeout.

The Olympic Team threatened once again in the fifth, loading the bases with a pair of walks and an error, but the Collegiate National Team was able to escape unscathed, after Jaxon Wiggins got a flyout to end the inning.

Using defense as momentum, the Collegiate National Team got back-to-back singles off the bats of Robert Moore (Arkansas) and Jacob Gonzalez (Ole Miss). Martinez then got the next two batters to strike out swinging to strand the runners.

The Olympic Team finally broke through to bring its first and only run across in the sixth, rallying with two outs when Tim Federowicz (Los Angeles Dodgers AAA) and Nick Allen (Oakland Athletics AA) got consecutive singles and Jack Lopez (Boston Red Sox AAA) drew a walk to load the bases before Eddy Alvarez (Miami Marlins AA) drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the go-ahead run.

That was all the Olympic Team bullpen would need as they did not allow a hit in the final four frames. Anthony Carter (Saraperos de Saltillo) pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings, while Ryder Ryan (Texas Rangers AAA) and David Robertson each tossed scoreless innings. Ryder struck out the side in the eighth while Robertson collected a lineout and two punchouts of his own to earn the save.

Martinez got the win in the contest and collected nine of the Olympic Team’s 17 strikeouts. Nick Allen led the way for the Olympic Team offense with two hits while Filia, Alvarez, and Lopez all drew two walks. Collectively, Team USA tallied eight walks in the game. Gavin Cross was the Collegiate National Team’s offensive leader, collecting two of the team’s five hits in the game. Wiggins suffered the loss, but the Collegiate National Team pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts in the contest.

The three-game series will conclude tomorrow with an afternoon contest at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. EDT and the game will be streamed live on USABaseball.com, as well as Facebook and YouTube Live.

The U.S. Olympic Baseball Team faces off against the Collegiate National Team in game two of a three-game exhibition series to prepare Team USA for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Sunday's game is set for 6:35 p.m. at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina.

The game is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at online or at the Durham Bulls ticket booth. Fans can watch the game online on the official website for USA Baseball, as well as on Facebook Live.

Team USA took the series opener with an 8-3 victory over the Collegiate National Team. Eddy Alvarez and Patrick Kivlehan contributed home runs for the Olympic Team while Scott Kazmir picked up the win on the mound. Jacob Berry (LSU) also hit a home run in the game for the Collegiate National Team. Gabriel Hughes (Gonzaga) suffered the loss.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

- July 19, 2021 – 6:35 p.m. EDT
Team USA vs. Collegiate National TeamDurham Bulls Athletic Park (Durham, N.C.) // Tickets

- July 20, 2021 – 1 p.m. EDT
Collegiate National Team vs. Team USA
USA Baseball National Training Complex (Cary, N.C.) // Tickets

CARY, N.C. – The U.S. Olympic Team kicked off a three-game series against the Collegiate National Team on Sunday night, tuning up for their trip to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with an 8-3 win in a rain-shortened seven-inning game at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

Playing against the country’s top collegiate players, the Olympic Team scored eight runs in the game's first two innings and got five strong innings from starter Scott Kazmir (AAA San Francisco Giants) to secure the series-opening win.

The Olympic Team got started early, with the first three batters reaching base. Jack Lopez (AAA Boston Red Sox) led off the inning with a walk, before Eddy Alvarez (AAA Miami Marlins) and Todd Frazier followed with back-to-back singles. Collegiate National Team starter Gabriel Hughes (Gonzaga) nearly escaped a bases-loaded jam, but Eric Filia’s (AAA Seattle Mariners) two-run single started a two-out rally for the Olympic Team. With a pair of runners on, Patrick Kivlehan (AAA San Diego Padres) cranked a three-run homerun to left field to put the Olympic Team up by five runs in the opening frame.

Kazmir, who struck out the side in the top of the first, continued to dominate in the second inning. The left-hander struck out the first two batters of the second – his fourth and fifth of nine punchouts in the game – in a perfect inning to keep the Olympians up by five.

The Olympic Team offense stayed hot in the second inning, extending its lead to six on a Lopez sacrifice fly. Then, one batter later, Alvarez hit a two-run homer to center field, driving in Nick Allen (AA Oakland A's) to make it 8-0.

After the early offensive outburst, the Olympic Team was held at bay by the Collegiate National Team bullpen. Paul Skenes (Air Force) tossed two scoreless frames in relief, scattering three hits before the Collegiate National Team finally cracked the scoreboard in the fourth on a two-run homer by Jordan Berry (LSU). Berry drove in Brock Jones (Stanford) – who led off the inning with a single – to put the Collegiate National Team within six.

The college squad then trimmed its deficit by one more in the top of the seventh against Edwin Jackson. Hayden Dunhurst (Ole Miss) started the inning with a leadoff bunt single before Kyle Teel (Virginia) and Drew Gilbert (Tennessee) hit back-to-back singles to make it 8-3. Anthony Gose (AAA Cleveland) replaced Jackson though and was able to escape further trouble with a strikeout and groundout to secure the win.

The Olympic Team had nine hits in the win. Kivlehan had a pair of hits, leading the team with three RBIs. Alvarez went 3-for-4 in the win, adding two singles and a stolen base to his homer and Allen reached base in all three of his plate appearances, singling once and walking twice. Kazmir secured the win with his strong five innings of work, finishing the night with nine strikeouts while allowing just three hits and a pair of runs.

Aaron Nixon (Texas) and Jack Washburn both turned in a scoreless inning out of the bullpen for the Collegiate National Team. Gilbert led the team with two hits, while Berry’s two RBIs were a team-best.

The three-game series will continue with game two on Monday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. ET. The contest will be streamed live on USABaseball.com, as well as Facebook and YouTube Live.

BLUEFIELD, W. Va. - Six Stripes players posted multiple-hit efforts and the squad scored in five consecutive innings as it closed out the series with an impressive 11-4 victory over the Stars on Thursday night at Bowen Field in Bluefield, W. Va.

Eight Stripes players combined for a summer-high 16 hits, including three hits each from Daniel Susac (Arizona) and Kevin Parada (Georgia Tech).

It was Dylan Beavers (California) who stole the show though, finishing 2-for-2 with three runs scored, three RBIs and a home run in the sixth that put the bow on the victory.

The balanced offensive performance was even more impressive considering the Stripes entered the contest on a 21-inning scoring drought.

For the Stars, Caden Grice (Clemson) launched his first longball of the summer, blasting one to dead-center over the batter’s eye in the second.

Despite the loss on Thursday, the Stars were the overall winners of the 11-game series, which included a tour of all 10 Appalachian League stadiums, finishing with a record of 7-4.

Key Moments

• It was the Stars who scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening inning after Robert Moore (Arkansas) doubled, moved to third on a groundout and then scored on an RBI single by Gavin Cross (Virginia Tech).
• The Stripes got the run back in the following frame though when Beavers was hit by a pitch and promptly raced around the bases to even the game on a triple down the right-field line by Drew Gilbert (Tennessee)
• That was the beginning of a back-and-forth battle over the next few innings as the Stars immediately answered with Grice’s two-run shot in the second.
• In the top of the third, the Stripes brought the game back to a deadlock with Ethan Long (Arizona State) and Susac both knocking in runs with back-to-back singles.
• The Stars actually escaped further damage in the inning thanks to a strong throw from Cross in center that cut one run down at the plate and another runner getting caught stealing to end the frame.
• That momentum carried over into the home half of the third as the Stars moved back out in front, 4-3, on an RBI single by Brooks Lee (Cal Poly).
• From there it was all Stripes as they outscored the Stars, 8-0, over the final four innings of play.
• Brock Jones (Stanford) came through in the fourth with the eventual game-winning RBIs as he plated two with a triple down the right-field line.
• In the fifth, a wild play on a wild pitch that bounced well away from the plate allowing baserunners to score from both second and third.
• A four-run sixth inning put the game out of reach with Sean McLain (Arizona State) scoring on a base hit by Susac just three batters before Beavers went yard with his three-run bomb to seal the win.

Notable Information

• The 16 hits for Stripes were a summer high, doubling their previous best of eight on both July 3 and July 7.
• The 11 runs were also a team-high, topping the seven runs it scored on July 3.
• With another RBI on Thursday, Cross now has 13 RBIs in 11 games which ranks as the most for either team. He has now driven in a run in four consecutive games and five of the last six.
• Cross also leads the team with a .455 batting average and 15 hits and is tied with Jacob Berry (LSU) for the team lead with four home runs.
• Robert Moore (Arkansas) scored once on Thursday upping his team-high in runs scored to 10 for the summer.

On Deck

• The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will return to Cary, N.C., where it will play three games against the professional team which is set to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The two teams will first square off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 18, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABaseballCNT on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

PRINCETON, W. Va. - The Stars continued their recent stretch of domination on the mound Wednesday as three pitchers combined to fire the team’s third consecutive shutout over the Stars, 5-0, at Hunnicutt Field in Princeton, W. Va.

The Stars have not allowed a run over the last 21 innings of play, dating back to the sixth frame in Elizabethton last Friday. Over that stretch, they have yielded just 14 hits and three walks while striking out 21 batters.

Starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt (East Carolina) picked up the win Wednesday, fanning four over three shutout frames to open the game. Will Sanders (South Carolina) picked up right where he left off, facing just one over the minimum in his three innings of work before Chris Villaman (NC State) closed out the victory with a scoreless ninth.

The top two run producers on this year’s USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, Gavin Cross (Virginia Tech) and Jacob Berry (LSU), continued their torrid tears and are now tied for the team lead with 12 RBIs each.

Cross drove in two runs while going 2-for-3 at the plate to up his batting average to .467 for the summer. Berry finished 1-for-3 with an RBI double, two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base.

Key Moments

• The Stars came firing out of the gate with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Kyle Teel (Virginia) opened the game with a base hit to right before coming home to score two batters later on Berry’s double. Berry then stole third and Cross brought him home with a sacrifice fly.
• Three more runs scored in the fifth as a Stripes error led to two unearned runs. Cross also knocked in his second runner of the contest with a single up the middle.
• The Stripes had only three baserunners over the first six innings, just one of which reached scoring position.
• They tried to mount a rally in the seventh though as singles from Ethan Long (Arizona State), Kevin Parada (Georgia Tech), and Jordan Sprinkle (UCSB) loaded the bases but Villaman was able to escape unscathed and end the game with his second strikeout.

Notable Information

• The Stars have now held the Stripes scoreless over the last 21 innings, dating back to the sixth inning of last Friday’s contest in Elizabethton, Tenn.
• Cross and Berry combined for three RBIs on Wednesday and are now tied for the team lead with 12 RBIs each.
• Whisenhunt has now struck out 10 batters while walking just one in 6.0 innings this summer with Team USA.

 On Deck

• The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will complete its tour of the Appalachian League on Thursday evening when it makes the trip to Bluefield, W. Va. The Stars and Stripes will play at 7 p.m. ET at Bowen Field, home of the Appy League’s Bluefield Ridge Runners.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABaseballCNT on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

PULASKI, Va. - Three pitchers combined to throw the second consecutive shutout for the Stars and a Gavin Cross sacrifice fly brought in the only run of the game as they defeated the Stripes, 1-0, on Tuesday evening in Pulaski, Va.

The win was the sixth of the summer for the Stars (6-3) as they clinched the series victory over the Stripes (3-6).

Stars starting pitcher Brandon Sproat picked up the win with three shutout innings in which he struck out four. Paul Skenes (Air Force) followed with a pair of punchouts in two innings before Landon Sims (Mississippi State) fanned two in his one frame of work to pick up the save.

The Stripes pitching staff also impressed on Tuesday, starting with southpaw Cole Kirschsieper (Illinois) who yielded only two hits and struck out two over three innings in his Team USA debut. Devereaux Harrison (LBSU) and Reggie Crawford (UCONN) added a scoreless inning each as well.

Cross (Virginia Tech) was held hitless for just the second time in nine games this summer but drove in his 10th run with a sac fly in the sixth inning.

Key Moments

• The Stars put a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the first but couldn’t cash in as Kirschsieper struck out Brooks Lee (Cal Poly) to leave them both stranded.
• The Stripes didn’t get a runner to second until the third when they were able to load the bases with two outs but Sproat escaped unscathed as he got Brock Jones (Stanford) to ground out to second.
• The lone run of the contest came in the fifth as a pair of walks and a single by Robert Moore (Arkansas) loaded the bases for Cross who lifted a fly ball to left to bring Kyle Teel (Virginia) in to score.
• The Stripes threatened in the ninth with a pair of singles and an error putting runners on second and third with two outs but Sims was able to get Carter Trice (Old Dominion) swinging on a high fastball to end the game.

Notable Information

• The Stars have now held the Stripes scoreless over the last 14 innings, dating back to the sixth inning of last Friday’s contest in Elizabethton, Tenn.
• Wi Cross’ RBI was his 10th of the summer, placing him in second among all Team USA players behind only Jacob Berry’s (LSU) 11 RBIs.
• Hayden Dunhurst (Ole Miss) threw out his team-leading third potential base-stealer of the summer.
• With his 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, Crawford has now allowed just one hit and struck out eight with no walks in four innings of work this summer.

 
On Deck

• The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will have travel to Princeton, W. Va., on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. ET at Hunnicutt Field, home of the Appalachian League’s Princeton WhistlePigs.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABaseballCNT on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

CARY, N.C. – Twenty-seven USA Baseball alumni have been selected to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, which is set to take place at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m ET.

Nearly half of the National League (NL) roster has suited up for the red, white, and blue in the past, with sixteen alums on the All-Star team in 2021. In addition, eight American League (AL) players have experience with USA Baseball.

Seven alumni were selected to the starting lineup, with six NL starters having previously represented USA Baseball. Nolan Arenado (St. Louis Cardinals), Nick Castellanos (Cincinnati Reds), Adam Frazier (Pittsburgh Pirates), Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves), and Jesse Winker (Cincinnati Reds) will all be in the NL starting lineup on Tuesday night. Buster Posey (San Francisco Giants) was also selected to the starting lineup but will not play due to injury.

Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) was voted into the starting lineup for the AL but will not participate due to injury.

Additionally, 12 2021 All-Star Game participants have won a gold medal with Team USA. The roster features representatives from eight different gold medal-winning teams, including three members of the 2017 World Baseball Classic team that won the organization’s first-ever championship at the event.

In total, 15 players competed for the Collegiate National Team, while eight played for the Professional National Team, seven suited up for the 18U National Team, and two were members of the 16U National Team.

The full list of USA Baseball alumni that appear on 2021 All-Star Game rosters is as follows:

• Name; MLB Team; USA Baseball Team(s):
• Nolan Arenado; St. Louis Cardinals; 2017 World Baseball Classic Team
• Matt Barnes; Boston Red Sox; 2010 Collegiate National Team
• Kris Bryant; Chicago Cubs; 2012 Collegiate National Team
• Walker Buehler; Los Angeles Dodgers; 2014 Collegiate National Team
• Nick Castellanos; Cincinnati Reds; 2009 18U National Team
• Gerrit Cole; New York Yankees; 2009-2010 Collegiate National Team
• Brandon Crawford; San Francisco Giants; 2006 Collegiate National Team, 2017 World Baseball Classic
• Jake Cronenworth; San Diego Padres; 2019 Professional National Team
• Adam Frazier; Pittsburgh Pirates; 2012 Collegiate National Team, 2015 Professional National Team
• Freddie Freeman; Atlanta Braves; 2005 16U National Team, 2006 18U National Team
• Joey Gallo; Texas Rangers; 2011 18U National Team
• Kevin Gausman; San Francisco Giants; 2009 18U National Team, 2011 Collegiate National Team
• Kyle Gibson; Texas Rangers; 2008 Collegiate National Team
• Josh Hader; Milwaukee Brewers; 2015 Professional National Team
• Craig Kimbrel; Chicago Cubs; 2013 World Baseball Classic Team
• Lance Lynn; Chicago White Sox; 2007 Collegiate National Team
• Manny Machado; San Diego Padres; 2009 18U National Team
• Mark Melancon; San Diego Padres; 2005 Collegiate National Team, 2017 World Baseball Classic Team
• Matt Olson; Oakland Athletics; 2010 16U National Team
• *Buster Posey; San Francisco Giants; 2004 18U National Team
• Bryan Reynolds; Pittsburgh Pirates; 2014 Collegiate National Team
• Carlos Rodón; Chicago White Sox; 2012-2013 Collegiate National Team
• Max Scherzer; Washington Nationals; 2005 Collegiate National Team
• Kyle Schwarber; Washington Nationals; 2013 Collegiate National Team
• *Mike Trout; Los Angeles Angels; 2010 Professional National Team
• Trea Turner; Washington Nationals; 2012-2013 Collegiate National Team
• Jesse Winker; Cincinnati Reds; 2011 18U National Team
•  
• *Denotes All-Star that will not play due to injury

CARY, N.C. – Six USA Baseball alumni were selected in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday night, including second overall pick Jack Leiter. USA Baseball has now had 529 total athletes drafted in the first round since 1972.

Leiter (No. 2, Texas Rangers) was the first USA Baseball alum taken in the 2021 draft. The Rangers have now drafted a USA Baseball alumnus with their first-round pick in three consecutive drafts (Josh Jung, 2019; Justin Foscue, 2020). Leiter pitched for the 2018 18U National Team, striking out 20 and allowing zero earned runs to help the stars and stripes clinch gold at the 2018 COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships.

Two more alumni were selected in the Draft’s first 10 picks with 2019 Collegiate National Team outfielder Colton Cowser coming off the board next as the fifth overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles. Kumar Rocker, who won a world championship with the 2017 18U National Team, was selected 10th overall by the New York Mets.

Two-time national team alum Brady House immediately followed Rocker, going to the Washington Nationals with the 11th pick. House is an alum of both the world-champion 2015 12U and 2018 15U National Teams. He was joined on the board two picks later by 15U National Team teammate Andy Painter, who went 13th overall to the Philadelphia Phillies.

2015 12U National Team alum Cooper Kinney was selected 34th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays to round out the first round for USA Baseball.

Four national team programs were represented in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. In total, the six alumni selected in the opening round have won a total of six gold medals in international competition.

Nine athletes taken in the first round have participated in the National Team Development Program, including Marcelo Mayer (No. 4, Boston Red Sox), Jordan Lawlar (No. 6, Arizona Diamondbacks), Rocker, House, Painter, Max Muncy (No. 25, Oakland Athletics), Maddux Bruns (No. 29, Los Angeles Dodgers), Joe Mack (No. 31, Miami Marlins), and Kinney.

The 2021 MLB Draft will continue on Monday, July 12, at 1 p.m. ET.

The full list of USA Baseball alumni selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft is as follows:

• Round-Pick; Name; MLB Team; USA Baseball Team(s)
• 1-2; Jack Leiter; Texas Rangers; 2018 18U National Team
• 1-5; Colton Cowser; Baltimore Orioles, 2019 Collegiate National Team
• 1-10; Kumar Rocker; New York Mets; 2017 18U National Team
• 1-11; Brady House; Washington Nationals; 2015 12U National Team, 2018 15U National Team
• 1-13; Andy Painter; Philadelphia Phillies; 2018 15U National Team
• 1-34; Cooper Kinney; Tampa Bay Rays; 2015 12U National Team

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Three pitchers combined to throw a combined two-hitter and the Stars launched four home runs, including two from Gavin Cross, as they cruised to a 7-0 shutout over the Stripes on Saturday night at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn.

Stars starter Blade Tidwell (Tennessee) retired all nine batters that he faced to open the game before handing the ball over to Parker Messick (Florida State) who yielded just a walk and a double in his three scoreless innings.

Carson Palmquist (Miami) closed out the contest by putting a zero up on the board in his one inning of work to seal the first shutout for either team this summer.

At the plate, all seven of the Stars’ runs came via the longball. Cross (Virginia Tech) finished the evening 3-for-4 with home runs in the third and seventh innings to go along with a base hit and a stolen base. The Bristol, Tenn., native is now hitting at a blistering .480 clip through the first eight games of the summer.

In addition to Cross’ two blasts, Jacob Berry (LSU) and Logan Tanner (Mississippi State) also hit home runs in the win. Berry’s three-run bomb came in the top of the first and was his fourth of the summer, which is tied with Cross for the team lead.

Key Moments

• The Stars wasted no time at all offensively Saturday with Kyle Teel (Virginia) jumping on the first pitch of the game for a leadoff double. Robert Moore (Arkansas) followed with a single before Berry crushed a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right for a three-run home run.
• Caden Grice (Clemson) made the defensive play of the day in the bottom of the second when he made a leaping grab up against the wall in right to rob Brock Jones (Stanford) of a home run.
• Cross kept the momentum going in the third unleashing a monster 434-foot two-run shot to make it a 5-0 game.
• Tanner tacked on another run in the top of the fourth which he led off by rocketing a 107-mph line drive off of the left field foul pole for his first Team USA home run.
• Cross tied the ribbon on the win with his second home run of the game, a solo shot in the seventh.

Notable Information

• Stars pitchers faced just three batters over the minimum in the win, yielding only two hits and one walk.
• With three more hits on Saturday, Cross now has a team-high 12 this summer, three more than any other player.
• Cross is also leading the team in batting average (.480) and OPS (1.559) and is tied for the team lead in stolen bases (3) and home runs (4).
• Berry also has four home runs, including his three-run shot Saturday which upped his team-leading RBI total to 11.
• Stripes pitchers Jaxon Wiggins (Arkansas) and Drew Thorpe (Cal Poly) both added three strikeouts Saturday to tie them with Chris Villaman (NC State) for the team lead with nine punchouts.
• Saturday’s contest marked the first time in eight games in which the Stars scored the first run of the contest.

On Deck

• The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will have two days off before it next takes the field again in Pulaski, Va., on Tuesday, July 13. The ninth game between the Stars and Stripes will be played at 7 p.m. at Calfee Park, home of the Appalachian League’s Princeton WhistlePigs.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABaseballCNT on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - An eight-run fifth inning in which the Stars sent 10 batters to the plate, five of which drove in runs, proved to be plenty as they defeated the Stripes, 8-3, Friday night at Riverside Park in Elizabethton, Tenn.

Eight different Stars players recorded at least one hit in the contest, including 2-for-3 efforts from both Gavin Cross (Virginia Tech) and Kyle Teel (Virginia).

Chris Villaman (NC State) picked up the win with five strikeouts in 2.2 innings in relief of his collegiate teammate Sam Highfill (NC State) who fanned four batters of his own in 3.0 innings of one-run ball.

Landon Sims recorded the final four outs for the Stars, punching out three. Gabriel Hughes (Gonzaga) gave the Stripes squad a solid start, needing just 39 pitches (26 strikes) to post three shutout innings.

Key Moments

• For the seventh time in as many games, the Stripes got on the scoreboard first taking a 1-0 lead after a leadoff double by Drew Gilbert (Tennessee), a passed ball and an RBI double by Ethan Long (Arizona State).
• The two teams traded zeroes until the fifth when the Stripes struck again with a bases-loaded walk to Long for his second RBI of the game.
• The Stars came roaring back in the home half of the frame though, erupting for eight runs on six hits.
• The first five batters in the inning reached base with either a walk or a single, including run-scoring hits from Teel, Logan Tanner (Mississippi State) and Robert Moore (Arkansas).
• Jacob Berry made it a 4-2 game with a sacrifice fly before Cross and Brooks Lee (Cal Poly) loaded the bases once again with back-to-back base hits.
• Jacob Gonzalez (Ole Miss) broke the game open three pitches later with a two-run single to center.
• Due to pitch count restrictions, the inning was brought to an end one out early and both remaining baserunners were tallied as runs based on a prior arrangement between the two teams for that situation.
• The Stripes got one run back with an RBI groundout off the bat of Dylan Beavers (California) but Sims came out of the bullpen and slammed the door shut by striking out three of the four batters he faced to close out the contest.
• Reggie Crawford (UCONN) also impressed on the mound for the Stripes, striking out the side in the bottom of the sixth.

Notable Information

• With two hits each on Friday, both Cross and Gilbert have nine hits this summer, tying for the team lead.
• Hayden Dunhust (Ole Miss) gunned down back-to-back potential basestealers at second in the second inning.
• After striking out five on Friday, Villaman now leads both squads with nine punchouts this summer.
• Friday’s contest was just the second of the summer that did not feature a home run and the first since the series opener in Danville on July 2.

On Deck

• The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will conclude the Tri-Cities portion of its Appalachian League tour on Saturday evening when the Stars and Stripes take the field in Kingsport, Tenn. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. ET at Hunter Wright Stadium, home of the Appy League’s Kingsport Axmen.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABaseballCNT on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.