Shelby Invited to USA Baseball National Team Trials
LEXINGTON ? Kentucky sophomore John Shelby was one of 12 collegiate players invited to the 2005 USA Baseball National Team Trials this year, it was announced on Monday.
Shelby, a Lexington native, will be one of 36 total players trying out for 20 spots on the national team. Monday?s announcement was the second of three groups of 12 players each to be invited. USA Baseball will announce a final list of invitees to the trials in June. Team tryouts are held from June 27-30 at Raleigh, N.C. Wildcats skipper John Cohen has been named an assistant coach for the team.
“This second list of invitees to the trials represents non-draft eligible players whose continued 2005 performance on the field has warranted an invite to the trials,” said USA Baseball General Manager of National Teams Eric Campbell. “They add to an already great group of players.”
The 2005 USA Baseball National Team 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 this summer, July 22-24 & July 29-31. USA Baseball will announce a full National Team game schedule at a later date.
Three Wildcats Named All-SEC by SEbaseball.com
LEXINGTON ? Kentucky sophomore John Shelby earned what should be the first of many postseason honors on Monday as he was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by SEbaseball.com.
Shelby was joined on the all-conference squads by freshman Antone DeJesus and junior Shaun Lehmann, who were each tabbed to the third team. DeJesus also earned Freshman All-SEC honors.
This year, Shelby proved to be one of the biggest offensive weapons in the conference. He batted .344 overall while leading the team with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs. He also stole a team-best 23 bases and was one of just three SEC players with at least 10 homer and 10 steals.
Shelby became the fifth player in Kentucky history to hit at least 10 home runs and steal 20 bases. Two of the previous four, Terry Shumpert and Chad Green, played major league baseball.
Lehmann and DeJesus were both in their first year with the Wildcats and anchored the outfield. Lehmann led the team in hitting with a .352 average while belting 20 doubles, which is among the conference leaders and ranks seventh in school history. He led the team with 57 runs scored and was right behind Shelby with 15 steals. He also set a school record by being hit by 13 pitches.
DeJesus was the only Kentucky player to see action in all 56 games and became the first UK freshman to hit at least .340 since 1993. His five triples rank him among the top 10 in school history. Defensively, he was stellar in centerfield and led the team with five outfield assists.
Barber Named to SEC Good Works Team
LEXINGTON ? Kentucky senior Jesse Barber was named to the Southeastern Conference Baseball Good Works Team, it was announced Monday.
Barber, a Carmel, Ind., native, was recognized for his work in the community. As a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, he helped organize numerous events in the community, including a food drive.
Barber also spent time reading to young students at Clays Mill Elementary School and is a member of the Frank Ham Society of Character at UK.
