Kolby Branch, a University of Georgia graduate and defensive standout, has been selected for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team that will compete in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taichung City, Taiwan, from July 11 to 15.
A Defensive Masterclass
Branch’s defensive excellence was recognized with a Gold Glove award, and his .975 fielding percentage underscored a season in which he also batted .291 with 19 doubles, 20 home runs and 60 RBI.
The Bulldogs finished the year with a 53‑14 record, capturing both the Southeastern Conference regular‑season and tournament titles and tying for third place in the College World Series.
International Showdown in Taiwan
The championship format features five days of pool play, semifinals and medal games, with the U.S. team opening against Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan before facing other pool winners.
Branch joins a roster that draws talent from 21 schools across five conferences, with the SEC contributing the most players, including 16 from the Bulldogs, reflecting the conference’s strong representation on the national team.
Guiding the national squad will be manager Dan Hartleb, assisted by Matt Hobbs, Jonathan Hernandez, Tracy Smith and Tom Walter, a coaching cadre that brings extensive collegiate experience to the international stage.