June 9, 2008

AUBURN, Ala. - Freshman outfielder Brian Fletcher has accepted an invitation to attend USA Baseball's 2008 National Team Trials, it was announced on Monday. Fletcher is the second current Auburn baseball player to receive and accept an invitation, joining Hunter Morris, who was among the initial invitees to the trials.

Fletcher, a SEC All-Freshman selection, hit .324 for Auburn last season, driving in 42 runs with 17 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs. A native of Fayetteville, Ga., he was Auburn's everyday left fielder and hit a robust .346 in SEC play, second on the team behind Morris.

"This is such a great honor," Fletcher said. "I am excited to join the rest of the guys trying out and give it my all."

Fletcher had a monster final month of the season, hitting .379 with seven of his 10 home runs and 21 of his 42 RBI coming in the final 15 games of the season, collecting at least one extra-base hit in 11 out of 15 games down the stretch.

Auburn has had four players selected to the team in the past; Gregg Olson in 1987, Mark Bellhorn in 1993 and 1994, John Powell in 1993, and most recently, Steven Register in 2003.

The trials begin on Wednesday, June 11 and run through Monday, June 23 throughout the northeast and southeastern United States. At the conclusion of the trials, on Tuesday, June 24, 22 players will be selected from the pool of 34 invitees for the National Team Roster.