Madison, WI – June 25, 2009. Mallards right-handed pitcher Tony Zych (Louisville) has been selected to play for the USA Baseball National Team after impressing the coaching staff during 10 days of trials at the team’s training complex in Cary, N.C.

Zych never arrived in Madison and will now be placed on the Northwoods League Protected List to free up a spot on the Mallards’ roster while he competes around the world.

In total, 22 members (full roster below) were selected from a field of 41 non-draft eligible college players in the United States. This year the National Team will play in two international friendship series’ in North Carolina against the Canadian National Team and the Guatemalan National Team before heading to Japan for the 37th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series and the World Baseball Challenge in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

The roster consists of five outfielders, six infielders, 10 pitchers, and one utility player.

Returning to the team is sophomore infielder Christian Colon (Cal State-Fullerton) who hit .263 in 24 games for the 2008 National Team and led the group in hits (26) as the club’s starting second baseman.

The coaching staff includes Manager Rick Jones (Tulane), pitching coach Mike Kennedy (Elon), and assistant coaches Rob Cooper (Wright State) and Dan McDonnell (Louisville).

The National Team begins its summer season Thursday, opening a five-game series against the Canadian National Team in Cary, N.C. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with left-hander Drew Pomeranz (Mississippi) getting the nod on the hill.

2009 USA Baseball National Team roster:
Infielders
Christian Colon        Cal State-Fullerton        So.
Rick Hague              Rice                              So.
Brad Miller              Clemson                        Fr.
Andy Wilkins           Arkansas                      So.
Kolten Wong            Hawaii                         Fr.

Outfielders
Bryce Brentz            Middle Tennessee St.    So.
Michael Choice        Texas Arlington             So.
Tyler Holt                Florida State                  So.
Casey McGrew       Wright State                   Jr.
Matt Newman         Arizona State                 So.

Pitchers
Trevor Bauer         UCLA                             Fr.
Chad Bettis           Texas Tech                      So.
Gerrit Cole            UCLA                             Fr.
Sonny Gray           Vanderbilt                        Fr.
Nick Pepitone        Tulane                            So.
Drew Pomeranz     Mississippi                      So.
T.J. Walz               Kansas                           So.
Cody Wheeler       Coastal Carolina             So.
Asher Wojciechowski    Citadel                   So.
Tony Zych             Louisville                        Fr.

Alternates
Jeremy Schaffer        Tulane                         Fr.
Rob Segedin             Tulane                         So.