North Carolina A&T right-handed sophomore power pitcher Xavier Meachem, Southern junior righthander Nicholas Wilson and celebrated Alabama State sophomore lefthander Omar Melendez represented America over the weekend as members of the USA Baseball collegiate team.
USA Baseball announced the 31-man Collegiate National Team roster that will represent Team USA in a pair of five-game series with Chinese Taipei and Japan from June 30-July 12 at various venues across the Carolinas.
The final squad was named after the completion of the 2023 Collegiate National Team Training Camp, a four-game intrasquad series played at the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
“It’s a dream come true,” Meachem said. “It’s very exciting to play for your country. It’s very exciting to represent African-American baseball players and HBCU players. It’s an all-around great opportunity.”
Meacham (5-11, 200) is coming off a season where he made 16 appearances and seven starts. He went 2-1 with five saves and a 5.59 ERA in 48.1 innings pitched. He ranked fourth in the conference in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (7.82) and seventh in saves. He finished the season with a career-high 47 strikeouts.
Wilson compiled a 6-2 record in 15 appearances with one complete game in 13 starts for the Jaguars. He struck out 101 batters in 86.2 innings pitched and posted an ERA of 3.22. He walked just 23 batters.
Melendez was named Pitcher of the Year in the SWAC. He amassed a league leading 2.59 ERA. He concluded regular season play with an undefeated 11-0 record. His 11 wins for the season was a league high. He ranked third in strikeouts (92) while also tallying four complete game efforts.
The USA and Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series started Friday with the USA taking a 7-3 decision at Coleman Field in Cary, N.C. In the win, Wilson pitched just one-third of an inning but gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk. He got his only out on a strike out. The USA gave up just one run on four hits in a 5-1 win Saturday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
On Sunday at the Atrium Athletic Ballpark in Kannapolis, N.C., Team USA won in a 10-0, one-hit shutout. Melendez and Meachem each pitched one inning in relief to close out the game. Neither surrendered a hit or a run.
The fourth game vs. Chinese Taipei was on Monday at the Durham Bulls Park with Tuesday’s finale on July 4 at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, N. C.
This year’s Collegiate National Team is led by Manager Larry Lee, who is making his Team USA managerial debut in 2023. Lee is joined on staff by Brady Austin (East Carolina), Reggie Christiansen (Sacramento State), Thomas Eager (Stanford), Andy Stankiewicz (USC), and José Vázquez of Alabama State.
The National Training Complex will host the opening three games of the 44th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series July 7-9, while games four and five of the series will be played at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Ballpark in Charleston, South Carolina, on July 11 and 12.
