The University of Mississippi Athletics
Cozart Invited To USA Baseball National Team Trials
6/17/2005 | Baseball
June 17, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. - Ole Miss freshman shortstop Zack Cozart was one of the final 16 players to accept invitations to participate in the 2005 United States Baseball National Team Trails, to be held June 27-30 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. The 2005 USA Baseball National Team will be selected from a pool of 39 players, with the official 20-man team roster announced on July 1.
Cozart appeared in 67-of-68 games for the Rebels this past spring, making 62 starts at shortstop. He batted .281 with nine home runs and 46 RBI and set school freshman records for games played, at bats (231), runs scored (53) and total bases (110). Cozart also recorded 16 doubles on the season and had a .957 fielding percentage.
He earned All-SEC Freshman honors from the SEC Coaches and SEBaseball.com.
"Obviously, we're very excited about this opportunity for Zack," said Ole Miss Head Coach Mike Bianco. "He's very deserving of this opportunity. Zack had a tremendous year for a true freshman. He's someone who has a very bright future."
Team USA is scheduled to play 24 games this summer, starting on Saturday, July 2, against the Torrington Twisters in Torrington, Conn. Team USA will participate in the 34th annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship Series in Japan, July 8-12 and a Friendship Series vs. Taiwan in Chinese Taipei, July 15-19, prior to returning home to play six exhibition games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park against Italy and Nicaragua. Team USA will host Italy July 22-24, and Nicaragua July 29-31.
Baylor Head Coach Steve Smith is set to coach Team USA this summer.
Ole Miss had two players on the 2003 USA National Team, with former outfielder Seth Smith and junior first baseman/left-handed pitcher Stephen Head helping to lead Team USA to a silver medal at the Pan American Games that summer.