DURHAM, N.C. - NC State's Patrick Bailey been named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team (CNT) roster, announced on Thursday by the organization.
"It's an honor to represent the United States," said Bailey. "I'm excited for the valuable experience I'm going to gain, as well as the opportunity to play with the best players in the country and compete against the best players in the world."
This is Bailey's second selection, as the sophomore from Greensboro, N.C., earned an invitation last year to the USA Baseball CNT training camp. 2019 marks the third consecutive year that an NC State player has been named to the team.
"I'm excited for Patrick to have the honor to represent the United States. He joins a great list of NC State players that have had the privilege to wear the red, white and blue," said Wolfpack baseball head coach Elliott Avent.
"It's a great opportunity for him to improve as a player, challenge himself as an individual, and help USA Baseball grow our game on a worldwide scale."
Avent was a member of the Collegiate National Team coaching staff in 2004 and won a gold medal at the World University Games in Chinese Taipei. He additionally was a part of Team USA in 2015.
Below is the full list of NC State players to make Team USA since 1984:
2019: Patrick Bailey
2018: Patrick Bailey, Will Wilson
2017: Will Wilson
2013: Trea Turner, Carlos Rodon
2012: Trea Turner, Carlos Rodon
2007: Eric Surkamp
2006: Andrew Brackman
2004: Joey Devine
1997: Tom Sergio
1993: Andy Barkett, Pat Clougherty, Terry Harvey
Bailey, who was recently named to USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, has started in 48 games this year behind the plate. He currently owns a .309 clip with 58 hits, a team-leading 16 doubles and nine homers.
Last season he was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year with Second Team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors, as well as a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American.
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will participate in three international friendship series in 2019, beginning with the 8th USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series that will take place July 2-6 in Cary, Charlotte, Durham and Hickory, North Carolina. The U.S. will then travel to Taiwan and Japan to compete in the 19th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series from July 9-12 and the 43rd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from July 16-21.
For more information on USA Baseball and the Collegiate National Team, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and @USABaseballCNT on Twitter.