A Milestone for the Gamecocks
JD Stein, a sophomore infielder for the University of South Carolina, has earned a place on the 2026 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, a squad that will travel to Taichung City, Taiwan, for the World Collegiate Baseball Championship from July 11 to 15.
During the trials, Stein posted a .357 batting average, drew eight walks, stole six bases and recorded a double with two RBI, demonstrating a blend of contact hitting and speed that impressed the national staff.
His college career began at Wake Forest, where in 58 games he scored 38 runs, hit 10 doubles, added five home runs and drove in 41 runs, posting a .384 on‑base percentage and going 13‑for‑15 in stolen‑base attempts.
The upcoming trip will mark the first time since 2016 that a Gamecock has competed abroad with the national team, a milestone that ties back to Tyler Johnson’s participation that year.
The team is scheduled to depart for Taiwan on the morning of July 6, after a brief stint of pool play that will be followed by semifinals and medal games over five days of competition.
Coach Ray Tanner, who led the national team in 2003, will be part of the staff, while Will Sanders, a veteran of the 2021 Stars and Stripes series, adds further experience to the roster.