March 26, 2003
DURHAM, NC - Old Dominion University's sophomore righthander Justin Verlander(Goochland, VA.), a pre-season All-American, and the 2002 CAA Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American is on the list of the first eight collegiate players invited to participate in the 2003 USA Baseball National Team Trials - to be held June 21-27 in Tucson, Arizona.
The USA National Team will be selected from a pool of 35 players, of which an additional 27 have yet to be determined. USA Baseball's final selection of athletes that willcomprise the team that will represent the USA at the 2003 Pan Am Games, is subject to the Approval of the United States Olympic Committe. The official team roster will be determinded and announced on June 27. The 2003 USA Baseball National Team will open play on July 2at Durham Bulls Athletic Park against Jajpan. South Carolina's Ray Tanner will serve as headcoach for Team USA. He will be assisted by Dick Cooke of Davidson, Mark Scalf of UNCWilmington, and Mike Weathers of Long Beach State.
Verlander is 4-3 thus far this season with victories over Vanderbilt and OklahomaState. He is leads the CAA in strikeouts with 57 in 53 innings and is third in earned run averageat 2.21.
ALSO INVITEDPhillip HuberRHPRiceSo.Paul Janish INF RiceSo.Tyler Lumsden LHPClemson So.Mike NickeasCGeorgia TechSo.Jeff NiemannRHPRiceSo.Huston StreetRHPTexasSo.Jered WeaverRHPLong Beach St. So.Justin VerlanderRHPODUSo.