KJ Harrison Accepts Team USA Invite
June 14, 2016 | Baseball
CARY, N.C. – Oregon State sophomore infielder KJ Harrison has accepted an invitation to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer.
In doing so, Harrison joins Michael Conforto as the only Oregon State players to compete for the Collegiate National Team twice. Harrison played in 17 games for the 2015 team, collecting 10 hits, including two doubles, with six runs batted in.
“Having the opportunity to play for Team USA again is truly an honor,” Harrison said. “I am so humbled and blessed to receive and accept the invitation. Being able to play for our country and represent Oregon State is something that is very special. I can't wait to get it started.”
Harrison was one of three Oregon State players to appear in all 54 games this past season, and the only one to start every contest. He batted .265 with 14 doubles, four triples and 10 home runs, which ranks second in the Pac-12 Conference. He finished with a .525 slugging percentage and a .381 on-base percentage.
Harrison led the Pac-12 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in conference action.
“It's a well-deserved honor for KJ,” head coach Pat Casey said. “He represented Oregon State University and our country tremendously last summer. Once again, due to his talent and what he did on the field this year, he's being given this wonderful opportunity.”
Team USA will train in Southern California this summer, with the first game slated for June 28. The team will compete in international friendship series against Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Cuba.
Jonah Nickerson and Kevin Gunderson were the first Beavers to compete for Team USA, doing so in 2005. Darwin Barney followed them in 2006, with Kevin Rhoderick in 2008. Matt Boyd began the string of now six consecutive seasons in 2011, followed by Conforto (2012 and 2013), Dan Child (2012), Andrew Moore (2014), Harrison (2015) and Drew Rasmussen (2015).
Additionally, Brian Barden competed for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics. Carter Bell and Jordan Lennerton have also worn their country's colors, with both playing for Team Canada.
Fans wishing to track Harrison's summer with Team USA can find information at USABaseball.com, or via Twitter at @BeaverBaseball and @USABaseball.
For more information on the Oregon State baseball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeaverBaseball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateBaseball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverBaseball.
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