FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas pitcher Ryne Stanek has his summer plans in place after being selected to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on Wednesday morning.
“It’s an honor to be selected to play for the USA Collegiate National Team,” Stanek said in a news release. “Anytime you put the Team USA uniform on, it’s a special occasion.
“I’m excited to be able to play with and against some of the best collegiate players in the world.”
Stanek was a member of the collegiate summer team last year, joining Arkansas teammates DJ Baxendale, Dominic Ficociello and Matt Reynolds. He went 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in two appearances.
He is enjoying a strong season with the Razorbacks in a weekend starting role. Stanek is 6-2 with a 2.30 ERA in 10 starts. He ranks third in the SEC in wins and fifth in ERA.
The USA Collegiate National Team will play a five-game series against Cuba from July 5-9. The games will take place in Havana and will mark the first games between the collegiate teams since 1996. The U.S. National Team will then head to the Netherlands for the Honkbal-Haarlam Baseball Week from July 14-22.
“Ryne is very deserving of being selected for the Collegiate National Team,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said in a news release. “He has been one of our top pitchers throughout the season. His experience with the Collegiate National Team last summer helped propel him to the success he’s enjoying this year and being able to play for Team USA this summer should continue his progression as a baseball player.”