Mizzou right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson was named to the 2008 National (Collegiate) Team, as announced by USA Baseball Tuesday. The 20-man roster consists of nine pitchers, nine position players and a pair of two-way players. The 2008 USA Baseball National Team will compete next month in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and at the FISU World Championships in the Czech Republic.
The National Team roster was selected following a two-week trials period, during which time the trials participants played 10 games and had two intra-squad scrimmages. Comprised of the top non-draft-eligible college players in the United States, the National Team plays six games against the Chinese Taipei National Team before beginning competition in Europe.
The USA Baseball Olympic Team is comprised of the top professional players not on a 25-man roster; that squad will be announced July 16.
Gibson started twice during the National Team trials, compiling a 1-1 record. He earned the win in Team USA’s victory over Newport on June 19, as he struck out six in four innings pitched. Gibson struck out 11 batters in eight innings pitched in his two appearances on the mound.
Missouri outfielder Aaron Senne also took part in the National Team trials, but was not named to the team on Tuesday. Senne hit .286, playing in eight games of the Trials, including three home runs and a double. USA Baseball will announce the final two members of the 2008 National Team later this week.
Rob Walton (Oral Roberts) serves as head coach of the 2008 National Team with pitching coach Jerry Meyers (Old Dominion) and assistant coaches Nino Giarratano (San Francisco) and Ritch Price (Kansas). Eric Campbell is the general manager for the USA Baseball National Team.
