Thiel’s Patrice to represent France in 2019 European Championship of Baseball 8/29/2019 1:10:31 PM GREENVILLE, Pa. (pacathletics.org)--Former Thiel College pitcher/infielder Daniel Patrice (Munich, Germany | EST) was selected to represent his home country of France in the upcoming 2019 European Championship of Baseball. Upon completion of the 2019 spring semester, Patrice spent his summer playing for a club near Paris known as Montigny. After the last game of the season one of the assistant coaches of the French National Team approached Patrice to inform him of his selection. The idea of playing for France is something that has always been in the works for Patrice. Before arriving at Thiel, he spent three years at the French Baseball Academy. Due to his performance during that time span, French coaches were compelled to keep an eye on him while playing for the Tomcats. "There is always a sense of pride when it comes to representing your country for any type of competition and it is something amazing because I don't only represent my country but also my family who had a dominant role in my performances and in my selection," Patrice said. This is the second time Patrice has represented his home country. He was part of the U-23 team that took part in an international tournament in Taiwan in 2017. He is also the first player in head coach Joe Schaly's tenure to be selected to a national team and compete at the international level. "It's not only a great honor for our school and our program but it's a great honor for Dan and his family," Schaly said. "It's a culmination of everything he's worked for and achieved in our program, and to see him wear his home colors and play for his home country is pretty cool." Before the 2019 European Championship of Baseball takes place in September, Team France will compete in a series of five preparation games against Japanese league all-stars. After the European Championship of Baseball, the top five teams will advance to an Olympic qualifying tournament against teams in Africa. The top team in that tournament will advance to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. In his final year in a Tomcat uniform, Patrice started in every game. He placed fifth on the team in batting with a .343 average, fourth in hits (49), third in home runs (3) and second in runs batted in (37). He also drew a team-high 20 walks. He was named to the All-PAC Second Team following the 2019 season. Patrice will be playing in the infield when the tournament begins in September. Information contributed by the Thiel College sports information office