May 28, 2008

With another successful collegiate season for Rice and with a summer of international experience already under his belt, Owl sophomore pitcher Ryan Berry has again been invited to the trials for the 2008 United States National Team, USA Baseball announced from its headquarters in Durham, N.C.

Berry is one of 26 invitees for the national team trials scheduled to take place June 11-23. Six more players (a total of 32 in all) will be invited to the trials. The final 22-man U.S. National Team roster will be announced on June 24. Team USA will represent the country in international competitions around the world later this summer.

Berry (7-4) has been Rice's top starting pitcher this season, leading the team and ranking among the best in Conference USA in ERA (3.10), innings pitched (90.0) and strikeouts (80). C-USA coaches named him a first team all-conference selection this year and he will again play a key role in the Owls' home NCAA Regional this weekend at Reckling Park. The right-hander from Humble, Tex., already made the U.S. National Team last year, and he gained valuable international experience representing his country at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil and World Port Tournament in The Netherlands.

USA Baseball's 2008 National Team schedule includes a six-game friendship series against Chinese Taipei and a month-long trip to Europe. Team USA will compete in the Haarlem Baseball Week in The Netherlands and the IV FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic.