University of Houston Athletics
Crain Earns Roster Spot with Team USA Baseball
10/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 28, 2003
HOUSTON - Former University of Houston shortstop/relief pitcher Jesse Crain was announced Tuesday as one of 24 professional players who will represent the United States on the Olympic Qualifying Team later this week.
In five appearances this summer, Crain allowed only three hits and struck out two while holding opponents to a .167 batting average. He helped lead Team USA at the team trials in Arizona to a 10-3-1 record.
The 24-man roster, managed by Frank Robinson, will compete at the Athens Summer Olympic Games Baseball Qualifying Tournament for the Americas in Panama City, Panama, beginning Thursday and running through Nov. 10.
USA Baseball Selection Committee Co-Chairmen Dean Taylor and Bob Watson made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
Although he played only one season at UH, Crain established himself as one of the finest all-around players in school history. A First-Team All-American, Crain batted .309 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs as the Cougars' regular starting shortstop in 2002.
However, he also competed as the Cougars' closer, racking up 10 saves with a 4-0 record and miniscule 0.23 ERA in 38.1 innings of work. His streak of 35.2 consecutive scoreless innings ranks as the second longest in school history and was only one inning shy of tying the school record.
Team USA opens at 10 a.m., Friday, against Nicaragua at the Olympic Qualifying event. Fans can follow the Team USA action in Panama by logging on the USA Baseball web site at www.usabaseball.com, where there is a direct link to the live scoring feature.
