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Rebel Closer Parker Caracci Named to Team USA
Ole Miss closer and RHP Parker Caracci was named to the 2018 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team roster. Monday’s announcement made him the ninth Ole Miss player ever to earn a spot on team USA.
This season, Caracci recorded 10 saves for the Rebels, putting him in a tie for seventh on the team’s all-time single-season charts. Behind Caracci, Ole Miss totaled 21 saves as a teamto tie the program’s single-season record of 21.
The sophomore was rock-solid in key moments for the Diamond Rebels. Eight of his 10 saves came with the go-ahead run on base or at the plate. Since March 15, 2014, the Rebels are 160-1 when leading going into the ninth inning.
Nine of his 10 saves came in SEC play, with seven against ranked opponents. Caracci struck out 29 in 17.1 innings in those appearances. For the season, Caracci (5-2) had 73 strikeouts and 14 walks with a 2.25 ERA.
Last week, Caracci was drafted in the 37th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He made an announcement via Twitter to return to the Red and Blue for the 2019 season.
Caracci’s Team USA run begins June 27 with a game against the Coastal Plain League Select at Coleman Field in Cary, North Carolina. The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will then participate in three international friendship series’ in 2018, beginning with the 18th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series held in North Carolina June 28 – July 2. The U.S. will then announce a final 24-man roster to compete in the 42nd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series July 3-9 in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and the 7th Annual USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series in Cuba July 13-18.
Adam Brown is the sports editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.