July 27, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech junior right-hander Chad Bettis and the rest of Team USA concluded their summer tour yesterday by taking home the 2009 World Baseball Challenge with an 8-1 win over Germany at Prince George Citizen Field in Prince George, British Columbia.

Team USA ended its summer tour with a 19-5 overall record and a win in the championship game of the 2009 Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline World Baseball Challenge. The squad played series' along the East Coast of the United States and then made trips to Japan and British Columbia.

Bettis, a product of Lubbock Monterey, was the staff closer for Team USA and compiled three saves in nine appearances (nine innings pitched) and registered a 3.00 earned run average. He is the sixth player in school history to play for Team USA.

CATCHING UP WITH BETTIS

What was your favorite Team USA experience?
I would have to say everyday was a great experience, I came away with something new from the day I got to trials. I don't know if I could pin-point my favorite experience, but one was the overall trip to Japan.

Favorite place you traveled to?
Definitely Japan, a great experience all around.

Highest High of the summer and lowest low?
Two highs- First being named on to Team USA. Second, when everyone came together and played for Christian Colon. Lowest low is, a player from Canada took a cheap slide into our shortstop, Christian Colon, and broke his tibia and fibula.

Favorite teammate?
They all are great teammates, I feel very privileged to play with this group of guys.

How do you think this experience will help you heading into your junior season at Texas Tech?
I think it is a big stepping stone to where I want to go with my baseball career. I learned a lot this summer that will help me, and hopefully teammates here this year. I'm looking forward to getting back and helping out Tech as much as I can.