The National High School Invitational (NHSI) is an annual baseball tournament held in Cary, North Carolina. Hosted by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliances, the tournament brings together 16 of the top-ranked high school baseball teams and the top players in the Nation to compete against one another. Through the past 10 years, 180 players have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft, and in 2024, 144 players are committed to playing college baseball. This event takes place from April 10th through the 13th. Last year, the Oilers varsity baseball team took home the win a repeat of their victory in 2016.
“I feel great going into this tournament, our team is hot right now and I feel like we are unstoppable,” said Trevor Goldenetz, a center fielder for the team.
The HBHS Oilers are currently in the middle of their season and have the upcoming Boras tournament in a week. The Boras Baseball Classic is a single-elimination tournament where teams compete for the title of state champions. Balancing the upcoming event and school comes with a mix of hard work, excitement, and stress. Because of this, pregame rituals are essential.
“My pregame ritual is praying two times before the game starts,” added Goldenetz.
Tyler Bellerose, a pitcher, said “I like to lay down in the outfield for ten minutes and visualize us winning.”
The USA Baseball National Training Complex (NTC) has partnered with the Town of Cary for the tournament since 2007. NTC includes three training fields and a stadium field. All fields are maintained at Major League Baseball standards. All games will be televised on the USA Baseball Network.
“I feel good going back to Cary and ready to play good competition and fight for back-to-back titles,” said Bellerose.
The Oilers won their first 2 bracket games against Saint Johns Country Day 6-1 and Bishop Gorman 3-2. On day 3 the Oilers took their first loss against California’s top two teams, Corona, and in the consolation game against Orange Lutheran 3-5. Good luck to the HBHS Oilers baseball team in the rest of their season.
