Hillsborough’s Marlon Mitchell and Mitchell’s Patrick Shuster are among 144 players from across the nation vying for a coveted spot at the 18-under National Baseball Team Trials this week at the invite-only Tournament of Stars at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary, N.C.

The eight-team tournament begins Tuesday and runs through Sunday. Mitchell, a rising senior catcher, will play for the PONY Team, while Schuster, a rising senior left-handed pitcher, will play for the Dixie Team.

The 2008 18-under National Team will be selected solely from players in this tournament. Thirty four players will be invited from the TOS to the 18-under National Team Trials, which are scheduled for July 10-17 in Phoenix. From there, 20 will make the team that is set to compete in the IBAF World AAA Junior Championships July 25-Aug. 3 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

“I’m just trying to go out here and work hard and give it all I’ve got; just go all out,” Mitchell said Monday evening. “I think my chances are pretty good.

“It’s like a dream come true to be able to actually come out here and try out [for the 18-under National Team]. I’m very excited.”

Plant High’s Mychal Givens and Clearwater Central Catholic’s Ryan Weber were selected last summer to the 18-under National Team, which won a bronze medal at the COPABE AAA Junior Championships in Ixtapa, Mexico. That showing qualified the 18-under U.S. squad for this year’s world championship’s in Canada.

The players selected for this year’s 18-under National Team Trials are expected to be announced at the conclusion of the tournament Sunday.

You can follow the progress of both Mitchell and Schuster at the USA Baseball website.