Cordero Invited to 2002 National Team Trials Apr. 24, 2002 – Fullerton, Calif.
Cal State Fullerton sophomore righthander Chad Cordero is among the first
19 collegiate players who have been invited to
participate in the 2002 USA Baseball National Team Trials in Tucson, Arizona
from June 18-23.
Cordero, the Titans' All-American closer, is 4-1 with 11 saves and a 2.23
ERA. He has struck out a team-high 56 and walked just 13 in 40.1 innings.
As a freshman, Cordero saved 14 games, which tied him for third in the
nation and set a record for Big West Conference freshmen. He was also
invited, along with teammate Darric Merrell, to try out for the national
team last summer.
The USA National Team will be selected from a pool of approximately 35-40
players, of which an additional 16-21 have yet to be determined. For a
full roster of the first 19 invitees, go to www.usabaseball.com.
The official team roster will be determined and announced on June 24.
Louisville's Lelo Prado will serve as the head coach for Team USA. He
will be assisted by Terry Alexander of Jacksonville, Sunny Golloway of
Oral Roberts, and Terry Rupp of Maryland. Team USA will play a total 30
games this summer, including 17 on the domestic side of their Red, White
and Blue Summer Tour, which will also take the team to The Netherlands
and to Italy.
Fullerton has had nine players on Team USA, including Olympians Bob Caffrey
(1984), Phil Nevin and Jason Moler (1992) and Mark Kotsay and Brian Loyd
(1996). Kirk Saarloos was the most recent Titan to don the red, white
and blue when he served as the team's closer during their 2000 summer
tour.
