Shaw Named To Team USA Roster For WBSC Men’s World Cup Group Stage
July 13, 2024 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Mississippi State softball assistant coach Zac Shaw was named to the 16-player Team USA roster for the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group Stage that will be hosted in Oklahoma City in September.
Shaw and the Americans will begin their World Cup journey on home soil on Sept. 17-21 in Group C, which will be played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. This is the first edition of the men's world cup to be played in the two-stage format similar to the women's event that is in now in the Finals Stage this year. Former Bulldog Mia Davidson-Smith will represent Team USA in that event next week.
Eighteen teams will compete across three groups (Groups A, B and C). The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2025 WBSC Men's World Cup Finals set to take place in Prince Albert, Canada next year.
"We are thrilled for Coach Shaw as he continues to represent our country with his selection to the U.S. Men's National Team," Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "His extensive international experience enhances our program, current student-athletes and future recruits. We're proud to have such a distinguished and talented coach on staff and in the Maroon and White."
No. 7 Team USA will compete against No. 17 Colombia, No. 13 Guatemala, No. 4 Japan, No. 19 Netherlands and No. 18 South Africa in Oklahoma City. The teams will play a round-robin before a final playoff on Sept. 21. The top two teams in the round-robin advance straight to the final to claim the first qualification spot. Meanwhile, the third- and fourth-place nations go head-to-head for the right to play the loser of the first-place game for the second and final qualification slot.
Shaw is one of 12 returners on the roster from the Americans' bronze medal performance at the 2022 WBSC Men's World Cup, which snapped a 22-year medal drought. He started all nine games for the Red, White and Blue that year and hit .313 in pool play with five RBIs in five games during that round. Prior to that he batted .526 with nine RBIs at the 2022 Pan American Championship where the U.S. finished fourth.
The Odessa, Missouri, native joined the staff at Mississippi State in the fall of 2022 as a volunteer assistant before being elevated to a full-time role prior to the 2024 season. He works primarily with the Bulldog infielders and assists with hitting.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Shaw and the Americans will begin their World Cup journey on home soil on Sept. 17-21 in Group C, which will be played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. This is the first edition of the men's world cup to be played in the two-stage format similar to the women's event that is in now in the Finals Stage this year. Former Bulldog Mia Davidson-Smith will represent Team USA in that event next week.
Eighteen teams will compete across three groups (Groups A, B and C). The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2025 WBSC Men's World Cup Finals set to take place in Prince Albert, Canada next year.
"We are thrilled for Coach Shaw as he continues to represent our country with his selection to the U.S. Men's National Team," Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "His extensive international experience enhances our program, current student-athletes and future recruits. We're proud to have such a distinguished and talented coach on staff and in the Maroon and White."
No. 7 Team USA will compete against No. 17 Colombia, No. 13 Guatemala, No. 4 Japan, No. 19 Netherlands and No. 18 South Africa in Oklahoma City. The teams will play a round-robin before a final playoff on Sept. 21. The top two teams in the round-robin advance straight to the final to claim the first qualification spot. Meanwhile, the third- and fourth-place nations go head-to-head for the right to play the loser of the first-place game for the second and final qualification slot.
Shaw is one of 12 returners on the roster from the Americans' bronze medal performance at the 2022 WBSC Men's World Cup, which snapped a 22-year medal drought. He started all nine games for the Red, White and Blue that year and hit .313 in pool play with five RBIs in five games during that round. Prior to that he batted .526 with nine RBIs at the 2022 Pan American Championship where the U.S. finished fourth.
The Odessa, Missouri, native joined the staff at Mississippi State in the fall of 2022 as a volunteer assistant before being elevated to a full-time role prior to the 2024 season. He works primarily with the Bulldog infielders and assists with hitting.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Texas Tech
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Raelin Chaffin ESPN2 Postgame Interview
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Friday, May 16