Three Former Blue Devils Named to WBC Rosters

DURHAM, N.C. – Three former Duke baseball standouts are set to play in the first round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic starting March 6. Right-hander Marcus Stroman joins the United States, while first baseman Nate Freiman and right-hander Kenny Koplove represent Israel.

A member of Pool A, Israel takes the field against South Korea, Chinese Taipei and The Netherlands in Seoul, South Korea. The United States joins Canada, the Dominican Republic and Colombia in Pool C with games at Marlins Park in Miami.

The top two teams from Pool A and Pool B meet March 14-19 in Tokyo, while Pool C and Pool D winners face off during that time in San Diego. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles hosts the championship round, which consists of two semifinal games and the championship game, March 20-22.

Currently with Toronto, Stroman was Duke's first MLB Draft first round pick after the Blue Jays selected him No. 22 overall in 2012. Stroman ranked fourth on Duke's all-time strikeouts list with (290), while his 3.27 career ERA was the third-lowest in school history in the aluminum bat era (since 1974) and the seventh-lowest all-time. He had nine career double-digit strikeout games, two career complete games and added seven saves during his time in Durham. As a junior, Stroman led all NCAA pitchers in strikeouts with 136 and finished second in strikeouts per nine innings (12.49) during his final season at Duke.

The only first team Academic All-America in Duke baseball history, Freiman enjoyed four standout seasons in Durham from 2006-09. He finished second all-time in batting average (.356), which is also the highest clip among all four-year Duke players. The Blue Devils' all-time home run leader with 43 career bombs, Freiman also ranks fifth in school history in RBI (180) and seventh in doubles (51). The San Diego Padres drafted Freiman in 2009 and he made his MLB debut in 2013 with the AL West champion Oakland A's. Freiman has played eight seasons of professional baseball and elected free agency this past fall.

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Koplove in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. A two-way talent a Duke, Koplove served as both the Blue Devils' primary closer and starting shortstop in 2015. Koplove set the program single-season record with 11 saves in 2015. He posted a 2.13 ERA, allowing just six earned runs over 25.1 innings. Named to the Joh Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year watch list, Koplove struck out 37 batters and averaged 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings. In addition, Koplove ranked fourth on the team with a .275 batting average, adding seven doubles while scoring 16 runs. Koplove has spent two seasons in the Minor Leagues with stints in Williamsport and Lakewood.

Pool A Schedule | Seoul, South Korea

Game 1	Israel vs. Korea	March 6	4:30 am (EST)
Game 2	Israel vs. Chinese Taipei	March 6	10 pm (EST)
Game 3	Korea vs. Netherlands	March 7	4:30 am (EST)
Game 4	Chinese Taipei vs. Netherlands	March 8	4:30 am (EST)
Game 5	Netherlands vs. Israel	March 8	10 pm (EST)
Game 6	Korea vs. Chinese Taipei	March 9	4:30 am (EST)
Game 7 *	TBD vs. TBD	March 10	4 am (EST)

* if necessary tiebreaker

Pool C Schedule | Miami, Fla.

Game 1	Canada vs. Dominican Republic	March 9	6 pm (EST)
Game 2	Colombia vs. United States	March 10	6 pm (EST)
Game 3	Colombia vs. Canada	March 11	12 pm (EST)
Game 4	United States vs. Dominican Republic	March 11	6:30 pm (EST)
Game 5	Dominican Republic vs. Colombia	March 12	12:30 pm (EST)
Game 6	Canada vs. United States	March 12	7 pm (EST)
Game 7 *	TBD vs. TBD	March 13	6 pm (EST)

* if necessary tiebreaker

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Three Former Blue Devils Named to WBC Rosters

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