Summer vacation just got a lot more interesting for Kentrail Davis.

The sophomore-to-be from the University of Tennessee baseball team will be wearing red, white and blue representing the 2008 USA Baseball National Collegiate Team in Europe.

“It’s really exciting,” Davis said by phone from Greenville, S.C. “It’s a great honor. When you show up at the ballpark you’re treated like a king.

“Little kids look up to you more when you have that USA on your jersey. They know we play for our country and it just means a lot more. I take great honor in wearing it.”

The Vols’ Freshman All-America selection was the undisputed star of the tryout portion of the USA team trials.

He led the team in nine offensive categories during the 12-game exhibition schedule. He hit .450 (18-for-40) with six home runs, 19 RBIs, had a .542 on-base percentage and two stolen bases.

“Before I left home I was practicing on my swing every day, but I never thought I would be this hot this long, especially with a wooden bat,” Davis said. “It’s hard to explain. I just hope I can keep doing it because right now the ball looks like a big beach ball to me.”

Davis and Team USA begin a six-game exhibition tour against Chinese Taipei Wednesday in Greenville, S.C.

The remaining five games against Taipei will be in Kannapolis, N.C. (Thursday), Durham, N.C. (Friday-Sunday) and Cary, N.C. (Monday).

There’s a July 1 exhibition against the Martinsville Mustangs in Cary and then Team USA heads to the Netherlands for Haarlem Baseball Week and games against Japan, Cuba, the Netherlands and Taipei.

The team then heads to the Czech Republic for the World Collegiate Baseball Championships on July 17-27.

“I’ve never been anywhere close to the Czech Republic,” said Davis, a Theodore, Ala., native. “I’m just anxious to get over there and win the gold medal.”

Davis joins a long list of former Vols to play for Team USA: Todd Helton (1993-94), R.A. Dickey (1994-1996), Augie Ojeda (1995-96), Chris Burke (2000), Javi Herrera (2001), Luke Hochevar (2004), J.P. Arencibia (2005-06) and Julio Borbon (2006).

“He’s just unbelievable,” UT coach Todd Raleigh said of Davis. “The kid has tremendous talent, but it’s his work ethic and the way he plays the game that people really respect.

“There’s no limit on him. He’s a big-time player and I’m happy for him. He’s going to experience some new challenges and this is going to be really good for him.”

Tennessee pitcher Bryan Morgado competed in the team trials along with Davis, going 1-1 and recording 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work, but didn’t make the final 22-man roster.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.