May 6, 2016
Nashville, Tenn. – Sophomores Jeren Kendall and Kyle Wright have accepted invitations to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer.
Kendall is in the midst of a breakout season for the Commodores, leading the team with a .348 average with eight home runs, 49 RBI and 48 runs scored. He was named the National Player of the Week for his performance during the Dores’ opening series against San Diego in which he went 10-for-15 with three home runs and 10 RBI. The Holmen, Wisc. native put together a Freshman All-American season last year for Vanderbilt hitting .281 with eight homers and 40 RBI, including a walk-off home run in the College World Series against Cal State Fullerton.
Wright’s move into the starting rotation this year has been a success with the right-hander going 5-3 with a 2.11 ERA in his first 11 starts. The Huntsville, Ala. native was slowed early in the year due to a preseason injury but has been a workhorse for the Commodores over the last six weeks with five of his six starts going at least six innings. Wright starred out of the bullpen last year for the Dores earning Freshman All-American status after going 6-1 with four saves and a 1.23 ERA in a team-high 29 games.
Kendall and Wright join current teammate Bryan Reynolds as Commodores to wear the Red, White and Blue. Reynolds played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2014 alongside Walker Buehler, Carson Fulmer and Dansby Swanson when the Commodores set a program record with four players on the squad. Other former Commodores to play for the Collegiate National team include David Price (2005-06), Sonny Gray (2009-10), Mike Minor (2007-08), Pedro Alvarez (2006-07), Ryan Flaherty (2007) and Tyler Beede (2013). Head Coach Tim Corbin led the National Team to a gold medal in 2006 at the World University Championships in Cuba.
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will train in Fullerton, Calif. this summer from June 28-July 2 and follow up with trips to Chinese Taipei, Japan and Cuba for International Friendship Series from July 5-26.
