North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State's Devine Chosen For USA Baseball Trials
5/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 8, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State freshman righthander Joey Devine, in the midst of an All-America-type season for the Wolfpack, has been invited to the 2003 USA Baseball National Team Trials, to be held in Tucson, Ariz., from June 21-27. Devine is one of 18 players invited to the Team USA Trials on Thursday, and one of 26 invited to the Trials thus far. One more wave of 10 invitees will be announced before the trials begin in June.
An integral part of the ninth-ranked Wolfpack's success this season, Devine is 4-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 13 saves. He leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in saves and was tied for second nationally through games of May 4. In 51-2/3 innings, he has allowed 38 hits, walked 13 and struck out 60. Of the 22 baserunners Devine has inherited this season, only six have crossed the plate.
Devine's 13 saves ranks as the second-highest single-season total in NC State history, and the third-highest career total. Of NC State's 38 victories this season, Devine has won or saved 17 of them.
The USA National Team will be selected from a pool of 36 players, of whom an additional 10 have yet to be determined. Eight have already been announced. USA Baseball's final selection of the athletes who will comprise the team that will represent the USA at the 2003 Pan Am Games is subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee. The official team roster will be determined and announced on June 27.
The 2003 USA Baseball National Team will open play on Wednesday, July 2 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 7 p.m. vs. Japan. Team USA will also play an additional seven games in Durham, along with several more domestic exhibition games prior to representing the United States at the Pan Am Games in the Dominican Republic in August.
Devine is one of four ACC players invited to the Team USA Trials on Thursday, along with Tyler Greene, Micah Owings and Eric Patterson of Georgia Tech. If he makes the team, Devine will be the fifth NC State player to play for Team USA. Previously, Pat Clougherty, Andy Barkett, Terry Harvey, Adam Everett and Tom Sergio played for Team USA. Clougherty, Barkett and Harvey played in 1993, Sergio in 1995, and Everett in 1997. In addition, Jake Weber played for the 1994 USA Junior National Team.
Former NC State head coach and current South Carolina skipper Ray Tanner will serve as the head coach for Team USA. He will be assisted by Dick Cooke of Davidson, Mark Scalf of UNC Wilmington, and Mike Weathers of Long Beach State. Chris Gebeck will serve as the Team USA Athletic Trainer, while Andrew Kitick will serve as the Team USA press officer.
