The World Baseball Classic has begun, and two former Beavers are set to represent their country on the world stage. Infielder Joey Wong, who won a College World Series with OSU in 2007, will play shortstop for China and pitcher Sam Gaviglio, who played at OSU from 2009-2011, will represent Italy.
The World Baseball Classic was first played in 2006 as a way to keep international baseball competition alive after the IOC removed it from Olympic competition. The tournament features 16 countries competing over a two week span for world baseball supremacy. 2017 will mark the 4th installment of the competition previously won by Japan(2006, 2009) and the Dominican Republic(2013).