University of Houston Athletics
Crain Invited to Olympic Qualifying Team Trials
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 24, 2003
HOUSTON - Former University of Houston shortstop/relief pitcher Jesse Crain was one of 30 professional players invited to the 2003 Olympic Qualifying Team Trials in Phoenix, Ariz., on Oct. 3-23.
As an invitee, Crain will vie for one of the 24 roster spots on the United States Olympic Qualifying Team that will be managed by Frank Robinson at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games Baseball Qualifying Tournament for the Americas in Panama City, Panama, Oct. 30-Nov. 10.
This season, Crain posted a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERA and 10 saves at triple-A Rochester after starting the summer at single-A Fort Myers.
Crain played for the Cougars during the 2002 season but made a big impact in his only year with the team. He batted .309 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs while playing stellar defense at shortstop.
In addition, he recorded 10 saves with a 0.23 ERA and perfect 4-0 record in 38.1 innings of work as the Cougars' closer. In fact, the Boulder, Colo., native did not allow a run during a streak of 35.2 consecutive shutout innings, the second-longest streak in school history.
Crain helped lead the Cougars to the 2002 Conference USA regular-season championship and the championship game of the NCAA Super Regional at Austin.
For his impressive efforts, Crain was recognized as a First-Team All-American by Baseball America magazine and Baseball Weekly. He also became the first player in C-USA history to be named to the All-C-USA First Teams at two different positions and became only the second player to receive C-USA Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors in the same season.
Before Ryan Wagner and Brad Sullivan were taken in the first round of the 2003 amateur draft, Crain was one of the highest Cougars ever taken in the draft. He was chosen with the 61st pick of the second round by the Minnesota Twins.
The Team USA trials roster is subject to change during the trials process, as the final 24-man roster that will travel to Panama will not be announced until Oct. 24. Team USA opens pool play in the event on Oct. 31 vs. Colombia.
Team USA will play a total of 12 exhibition games against each of the Arizona Fall League's six teams, beginning Oct. 10 against the Mesa Solar Sox at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz.
