PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Competing on the national stage was a quick turnaround for three players and one coach representing two American Athletic Conference baseball programs. Three weeks after playing in separate NCAA regionals, ECU head coach Cliff Godwin, pitcher Jake Agnos, outfielder Bryant Packard and UConn southpaw Mason Feole showed their stars and stripes as members of the Collegiate National Baseball Team. Each member representing the conference played a role in helping Team USA achieve a 12-3 record this summer.

The three conference players were part of a 26-man roster, comprised entirely of players who just finished their freshman and sophomore seasons. Godwin was one of six coaches who got the call, serving as the hitting and third base coach. The team competed from June 27-July 14, and defeated Coastal Plain League Select 3-2 to start the season before sweeping Chinese Taipei in a series in North Carolina. Team USA then defeated Japan and Cuba in series, winning six of the final nine games played to conclude the 15-game slate.



It marked the second-straight summer that Godwin served as an assistant for the U.S.  The Pirates enjoyed a successful 2018 season, winning their second American Athletic Conference championship and hosting a NCAA regional. “We found out that (a Chinese Taipei starting pitcher) was left-handed like 15 minutes before the game,” noted Godwin. “There is just that unknown and you don’t know anything about them and their players and the style of play, other than what they have done in the past. It’s different and it makes the coaches uncomfortable, but it is neat to have a different country on the other side.”

Conference Player of the Year and All-America outfielder Bryant Packard carried a standout season onto the national platform. Packard, who broke conference records with a .406 batting average and a 32-game hitting streak, finished third on Team USA, batting .333. The rising junior played in six games, making five starts with six hits, one RBI, one run scored and a .389 slugging percentage. He joined the team late, following the conclusion of the Chinese Taipei series on July 2.

Agnos, who appeared in 22 games, posting a 4-4 record with a team-high 86 strikeouts and one save during his sophomore campaign with ECU, finished second on the national squad with 14 Ks. The lefthander made four appearances out of the bullpen, totaling 9.1 innings of work, while scattering five hits, one walk and one earned run. Holding a 0.96 ERA, he was one of four pitchers on the national team to tally double-digit strikeouts. In his second national team appearance, he struck out the side in the eighth inning to help USA to a 4-1 win in the final game of the Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series.

“It’s awesome, and I enjoyed every moment,” said Agnos. “This is a dream. Being with USA Baseball and wearing this across my chest is an honor and a huge privilege.”

Similar to Packard and Agnos, UConn’s Feole represented the Red, White and Blue on the heels of a big season with the Huskies. After advancing to the conference championship game in May, UConn was one of four American Athletic Conference teams to earn a bid to an NCAA regional, competing in Conway, N.C. Feole served as UConn’s ace, going 9-2 with a team-low 2.50 ERA. In 100.2 innings pitched, the lefthander racked up 120 strikeouts, ranking No. 2 in the conference.



He made his national debut on July 6, with a start in Game 3 against Japan. Feole earned the win (3-1) after tossing 4.0 innings and fanning five batters. Agnos had another solid outing in relief during that game, tossing 3.1 innings and striking out six.

“It’s different because you are not in front of our fans, which definitely impacts your adrenaline, but I went out there a little passive, and I settled down and pounded the zone and threw the curveball well,” Agnos recalled.

Feole totaled 11.0 innings through two starts and three appearances without allowing a run. He recorded nine strikeouts, scattering three hits and six walks.

“The experience of representing our country and playing for Team USA has been one of the most proud, and incredible experiences of my life. Next to wearing my Husky uniform, the feeling of wearing USA across my chest was indescribable, and humbling,” said Feole. “It was an honor to represent and compete for our great nation in this way, and while doing so representing all the brave men and women that risk their lives daily to give us the opportunity to play the world’s greatest game. Being a part of the 2018 USA CNT is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life and will never forget. It will always be a strong and fond memory that will humble me forever.” 

“It’s been great,” Godwin added. “All of these young adults are great guys, and it’s a good group to be around.”