LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV sophomore right-handed pitcher LJ Mercurius will join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, the school announced Thursday.

Mercurius is the fifth student-athlete in school history, and the third pitcher, to play for USA Baseball while still in school. He joins Erick Fedde (2018), Ryan Ludwick (1998) and Matt Williams (1985) as the only other Rebels to play for the Collegiate National Team. Mel Stottlemyer Jr. was a pitcher on the 1984 Olympic team.

Mercurius led the Rebels this past season with a team-low 3.57 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 78.2 innings of work. The Las Vegas native, who was named an All-Mountain West Second Team honoree, made 11 starts, making 12 total appearances where he sported a 4-3 record.

QUOTABLE: "So happy for LJ and our program. He's worked hard this past year and put him in a great position going into his draft year. He'll represent us well."
-Head Coach Stan Stolte

"First and foremost, I'm deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to represent the United States. Wearing 'USA' across my chest is not only an incredible honor, but it also carries personal significance, as it continues a family tradition—my brother proudly represented our country in the Mexico Games and brought home a Gold medal. I feel truly honored, blessed and excited for this opportunity."
-Sophomore LJ Mercurius

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp will feature 56 of the premier non-draft-eligible college players for a five-game Stars vs. Stripes intrasquad series in North Carolina from June 29-July 3. USA Baseball will name the final Collegiate National Team following Training Camp on July 3.

The first game will be held at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis at 5:35 p.m. ET, the next three games will be played at USA Baseball's National Training Complex in Cary at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the series finale will be hosted at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville at 6:35 p.m. ET. The Collegiate National Team will play in the 45­­th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series in various locations across Japan on July 8-13. The remaining players from the Collegiate National Team Training Camp will play in a Fourth of July game against the Appalachian League Select Team at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis at 6:35 p.m. ET. 

UNLV Baseball Team USA Members
2025 - LJ Mercurius
2013 - Erick Fedde
1999 - Rod Soesbe (Assistant Coach)
1998 - Ryan Ludwick
1985 - Matt Williams
1984 - Mel Stottlemyre Jr. (Olympics)