April 18, 2011
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Enjoying an outstanding sophomore campaign that comes on the heels of a rookie season in which he was selected as a Freshman All-American, Texas A&M pitcher Michael Wacha has been invited to join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team for the upcoming summer.
Wacha becomes the 13th Aggie to represent the United States on the Collegiate National Team and the first since Daylon Holt in 1999. This season rather than have team trials to develop a roster, the squad will be selected by spring performances, which is the selection method for the professional national team.
"We're very proud of Michael and all the hard work he's put in to get in a position to be recognized by Team USA," Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress said. "I expect him to compete very hard this summer and be a great representative of Texas A&M."
The right-hander has been one of the country's top pitchers this season and currently maintains a 4-2 record on the mound with a 1.81 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 64.2 innings of work. Opponents are hitting just .234 in nine starts against Wacha, who leads the Big 12 in complete games with two and ranks among the league leaders in several other categories including innings pitched, strikeouts and opponent batting average.
A season ago, the Texarkana, Texas, native earned Freshman All-America honors as he went 9-2 with a 2.90 ERA and a save in helping lead the Aggies to the NCAA Coral Gables Regional final. Appearing in 25 games, Wacha made 10 starts and held opponents to a paltry .218 average. His nine victories were the second most all-time by an A&M freshman hurler. He allowed just 38 runs in 105.2 innings of work and fell just three shy of reaching the 100-strikeout plateau, while also earning an honorable mention all-Big 12 selection.
The 2011 Collegiate National Team will be led by Missouri head coach Tim Jamieson, who will serve as the squad's manager. The team will begin play in late June and is scheduled to face the Japan National Team in a series of games between July 3-9.
For more information on the Collegiate National Team visit www.usabaseball.com.