Miami's Jay and Perez Make 2005 USA Baseball National Team
July 1, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. – University of Miami sophomores Jon Jay and Chris Perez were named to the 22-man 2005 USA Baseball National Team roster after a four-day trials period at Doak Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State, USA Baseball announced Friday afternoon.
Jay, who made the team as an outfielder, was Miami’s regular starter in left field in 2005 and led the team with a .408 average to rank 19th in the NCAA. He hit one home run and drove in 52 runs as the team’s cleanup hitter and carried a .490 on-base percentage. Jay ranks fourth all-time at Miami with a .387 career batting average.
Perez, a 6-4, 224-pound right-handed pitcher, began the 2005 season as a starter for Miami before moving to the bullpen to become the team’s closer. He went 5-1 with a 2.56 ERA and a team-leading seven saves as a closer.
Jay and Perez are the 15th and 16th Miami student-athletes to make the team since 1987 and are the first Hurricanes to make the squad since Danny Figueroa did so in 2003 before sustaining an injury that kept him from playing.
Team USA begins play Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Torrington Twisters at Fuessenich Park in Torrington, Conn. After two more games against teams from the Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League, Team USA travels to Japan to participate in the 34th annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series. The Americans will be looking to capture the series overseas for the first time since 1979. Team USA will also play a five-game series in Taiwan before returning to the United States for series against Italy and Nicaragua.
2005 USA Baseball National Team RosterPlayer Pos Ht Wt B/T Yr College HometownKennedy, Ian RHP 6-0 195 R/R So USC Huntington Beach, CAMcCulloch, Kyle RHP 6-3 178 R/R So Texas Houston, TXMelancon, Mark RHP 6-2 210 R/R So Arizona Golden, CONickerson, Jonah RHP 6-1 190 R/R So Oregon State Oregon City, ORPerez, Chris RHP 6-4 223 R/R So Miami-FL Holmes Beach, FLScherzer, Max RHP 6-2 198 R/R So Missouri Chesterfield, MODoolittle, Sean LHP/IF 6-2 175 L/L Fr Virginia Tabernacle, NJGunderson, Kevin LHP 5-10 160 R/L So Oregon State Portland, ORPrice, David LHP 6-6 190 L/L Fr Vanderbilt Mufreesboro, TNSavery, Joe LHP/IF 6-3 215 L/L Fr Rice Bellaire, TXArencibia, J.P. C 6-1 195 R/R Fr Tennessee Miami, FLJeroloman, Brian C 6-0 190 L/R So Florida Wellington, FLWieters, Matt C/UT 6-4 205 B/R Fr Georgia Tech Goose Creek, SCDavis, Adam IF/OF 5-9 180 B/R So Florida Fort Myers, FLDavis, Blake IF 5-11 155 L/R So CS Fullerton Fountain Valley, CAHodges, Wes IF 6-1 198 R/R So Georgia Tech Ooltewah, TNLaPorta, Matt IF/UT 6-1 210 R/R So Florida Port Charlotte, FLRodriguez, Josh IF/OF 6-0 180 R/R So Rice Houston, TXJay, Jon OF 5-10 197 L/L So Miami-FL Miami, FLMense, Hunter OF 5-11 185 L/L So Missouri Liberty, MORobinson, Shane OF 5-9 165 R/R So Florida State Tampa, FLStubbs, Drew OF 6-4 199 R/R So Texas Atlanta, TXCoaching StaffCoach Pos College HometownSmith, Steve Head Coach Baylor Gulfport, MSCohen, John Asst. Coach Kentucky Tuscaloosa, ALJamieson, Tim Asst. Coach Missouri Columbia, MOWalton, Rob Asst. Coach Oral Roberts Rutherford, NJWabeke, Doug Auxiliary Coach Grand Rapids JC Jenison, MI
AdministrationName Pos College HometownCampbell, Eric General Manager USA Baseball Omaha, NENorden, Andrew Athletic Trainer Duke Jenison, MILittle, Larry Press Officer Baylor Ruston, LA
