Newman suiting up for USA Baseball this summer

July 08, 2009

Arizona State University sophomore outfielder/left-handed pitcher <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/newman_matt00.html">Ma… Newman</a> was selected as a member of the 2009 USA Baseball National Team. Newman is one of 22 players on the team that is composed of the top non-draft-eligible college players in the United States.<separator></separator>The team began play on June 25, and they are currently 11-0 in competition. They will face Japan in the 37th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship from July 11-16 in Japan, and then they will compete in the World Baseball Challenge from July 18-26.<separator></separator>Newman has played in seven games thus far, and he is hitting .400 (8-for-20) with five RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases. He also appeared in one game on the mound, throwing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.<separator></separator>Newman, who hit .305 and had 54 RBI for ASU in 2009, becomes the 14th Sun Devil to play for Team USA and the fourth in the last three years. <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/leake_mike00.html">Mike Leake</a> was on the team in 2008, and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/wallace_brett00.html">… Wallace</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/paramore_petey00.html"… Paramore</a> were part of the team in 2007. Since 1984, Arizona State has had at least one player on Team USA in 12 different years.