Newman suiting up for USA Baseball this summer

Arizona State University sophomore outfielder/left-handed pitcher Matt Newman 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.

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.

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.

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. Mike Leake was on the team in 2008, and Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore were part of the team in 2007. Since 1984, Arizona State has had at least one player on Team USA in 12 different years.