Hunter Jorgensen, a junior pitcher/outfielder on the Heritage High School varsity baseball team, has accepted an invitation to accompany 15 other student athletes to Australia as a member of the American Eagles baseball club.

Hunter was selected due to his on-field accomplishments, dedication, hard work, respect for the game and quality of character.

Since 1984, talented players have traveled to Australia as members of the American Eagles to promote the game of baseball worldwide, experience cultural exchange through athletic competition on the baseball diamond, and compete against some of the finest talent the Land Down Under has to offer.

More than 30 former Eagles have played in the professional ranks, including four No. 1 draft picks. Major leaguers and MLB all-stars Phil Nevin, Johnny Estrada and Bret Boone are former Eagles.

The team will travel to Australia in July and compete in the Great Barrier Reef Tournament and the Major League Baseball Australian Academy International Tournament. UC San Diego Baseball Coaches Chad Addison and Mike Oseguera will lead the Eagles on their tour of Australia.

The American Eagles’ two-week itinerary includes stops in Cairns and Brisbane, Queensland. The team will play 12 games in 14 days.

When asked about the unique opportunity to represent the United States in the Australian goodwill tournaments, Hunter said, “I feel honored that I was selected. Not everybody gets this chance to travel to a foreign land to play a game they love.”