June 3, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford freshman pitcher Lex Rutledge has been invited to participate in the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Trials at the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., July 5-11.

"For Lex to be selected for the trials for the USA Collegiate National Team as a freshman shows what a truly talented young man he is," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "He came in as a freshman and had an immediate impact on our club, turning in one of the best seasons of any pitcher in the history of our program. We wish him the best of luck in the trials and hopefully with the Collegiate National Team this summer."

Rutledge is one of just 38 players from across the nation who earned invitations to the trials. The trials will begin July 5 and will end with the selection of the 22-man USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on July 11.

The 22 members selected for the team will tour across the USA with the summer season culminating July 30- Aug. 7 at the 2010 FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

At the FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championships, the Collegiate National team will compete against Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada and Cuba, among others.

The collegiate national team is the defending gold medalists in the last three FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championships. The collegiate national team program has won championships in 2004 (Taiwan), 2006 (Cuba) and 2008 (Czech Republic).

Rutledge, who came to Samford from Tupelo, Miss., had a stellar freshman season at Samford in 2010. Serving as the team's closer, Rutledge tied a Samford record with 11 saves. He also posted a record of 5-1 and an impressive 1.71 ERA in 47.1 innings of work. He also led the team in strikeouts with 65 on the season.

At the conclusion of the season, Rutledge was named second-team All-Conference in the Southern Conference. He was also named to the SoCon's All-Freshman team.