North Carolina State University Athletics
Brackman Selected for USA Baseball Trials
6/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 17, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - Andrew Brackman may have only played for about half of NC State's baseball season, but he didn't need a lot of time to prove himself. Brackman, the Wolfpack's 6-10 two-sport star, is one of 39 college freshmen and sophomores who have been invited to participate in trials for the U.S.A. Baseball National team. The final 20-man roster will be announced on July 1, but only after trials are held at NC State's Doak Field in Raleigh from June 27-30.
After being a major contributor to the Wolfpack basketball team's run to the NCAA Sweet 16, Brackman joined the Pack baseball team and made an immediate impact. The hard throwing right hander from Cincinnati got stronger as the season progressed, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.09 ERA. In 10 appearances and 43 innings pitched, Brackman struck out 43 and walked 18, while allowing opposing batters to hit only .216 against him.
The final list of invitees was completed on Friday when U.S.A. Baseball added Brackman and 15 others to its list of trial participants.
"This final list of athletes represents our view of the non-draft eligible players who's continued 2005 performance on the field has warranted the invitation," said USA Baseball General Manager of National Teams Eric Campbell. "They add to an already great group for which we have to select our National Team from."
This will mark the second straight summer in which NC State has been well represented on team U.S.A. Last year, pitcher Joey Devine and head coach Elliott Avent were a part of a squad that captured the gold medal at the World Games in Taiwan.
Brackman is one of players from the ACC to be invited to the trials.
Team USA opens the summer on Saturday, July 2 at 7:00 pm vs the Torrington Twisters in Torrington, CT. Team USA will participate in the 34th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship Series in Japan, July 8-12 and a Friendship Series vs. Taiwan in Chinese Taipei, July 15-19 prior to returning home to play six exhibition games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park this summer: July 22-24 vs. Italy & July 29-31 vs Nicaragua.
