USA Baseball announced its official 26-man roster for the 2025 Collegiate National Team on July 4, with Florida Gators ace right-hander Liam Peterson making the final cut.
The 6-foot-5-inch sophomore out of Palm Harbor, Florida, will travel with Team USA to compete in the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series in various locations across Japan. The start of play begins on July 8 and concludes on July 13, spanning a total of five games.
Things kick off with games on July 8 and 9 at Es Con Field in Hokkaido, both starting at 4 a.m. ET, while the next two games will be held July 11 and 12 at Hard Off Eco Stadium in Niigata at 3 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, respectively. The series will wrap up with a lone game in Tokyo at Jingu Stadium on July 13 at 3 a.m. ET.
Team USA leads the series with Japan, 24-20 (Overall: 135-110-2).
Liam Peterson’s 2025 campaign details
Peterson served as staff ace from start to finish and led the Gators in victories (eight), games started (15) and strikeouts (96). Compiling 69 1/3 innings, he posted a 4.28 ERA, .250 BAA and 1.43 WHIP, plus four quality starts, while striking out 11 or more batters in three outings. His 12.5 strikeouts per nine ranked fifth in the SEC and 20th nationally.
About the Japan Collegiate All-Star Series
“After a very competitive Stars versus Stripes series, we are excited to announce the 26 players who will represent the United States on international soil in the USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series,” said Eric Campbell, USA Baseball’s Professional and Collegiate National Team General Manager.
“We are confident that the roster assembled will represent our country well, and we look forward to making the trip back to Japan for the first time since 2019 and continuing this long-standing series, which dates back to 1972.”
2025 Collegiate National Team
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida’s Liam Peterson earns spot on 2025 USA Collegiate National Team
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
