Plans were set for Stetson University sophomore left-hander Mitchell Senger to follow in the footsteps of past Hatters this summer.
Senger was to join the Orleans Firebirds in the prestigious Cape Cod League to hone his craft in preparation for his junior season with the Hatters. Past Firebirds from Stetson have included Mitchell Jordan, Logan Gilbert, Brooks Wilson and Austin Hale.
Senger may still get to play some on Cape Cod, but he now has a new primary team for the summer - Team USA.
The Boca Raton native will become just the second player from Stetson ever selected to compete for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, joining with Lenny DiNardo, who was a two-time National Team selection.
Senger, who owns an 8-2 record this spring with a 2.65 ERA and 107 strikeouts, has thrown four complete games for the Hatters this season, including three shutouts. His no-hitter against George Washington in February was just the fifth in program history.
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will participate in three international friendship series in 2018, beginning with the 18th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series. That series will be held in North Carolina from June 28 - July 2.
The U.S. will then compete in the 42nd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from July 3-9 in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and will close the summer at the 7th Annual USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series in Cuba from July 13-18.
Seven Collegiate National Team games will be streamed live on USABaseball.com, as well as Facebook Live and YouTube. For more information on USA Baseball and the Collegiate National Team, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and @USABaseballCNT on Twitter.
The USA Collegiate National Team will be coached this summer by head coach Paul Mainieri (LSU) and assistant coaches Cliff Godwin (East Carolina), Jim Hendry (New York Yankees), Brian O'Connor (Virginia), Jorge Perez (St. Thomas) and Trent Forshag (LSU). O'Connor will serve as the pitching coach for the team.
Senger will join a roster that is already stocked with talented collegiate freshmen and sophomores. Those who have been announced include RHP Kyle Brnovich (Elon), INF/P Josh Jung (Texas Tech), C/INF Shea Langeliers (Baylor), RHP Andre Pallante (UC Irvine), C/INF Braden Shewmake (Texas A&M), INF Bryson Stott (UNLV), INF Spencer Torkelson (Arizona State), INF Andrew Vaughn (California) and OF/P Matt Wallner (Southern Miss).
