Matt Boyd to join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Tour

Oregon St.'s Matt Boyd has been invited to join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team for its tour of the east and northeast. The tour begins next Tuesday in conjunction with franchises in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Boyd was named an alternate for players who are participating in the College World Series, which begins on Saturday. USA Baseball will continue to make roster decisions through the end of the CWS.

Team USA will open its summer slate June 23 against the Keene Swamp Bats in Keene, NH, and will also play the June 27 game in Boston at Fenway Park against the NECBL All-Stars.

After touring the NECBL, Team USA will play a two-game Prospect Classic in North Carolina against the program’s 18U National Team, July 1 and 2, before taking on Japan for five games that will conclude on July 8 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.

Boyd had an ERA of 1.57 in 30 appearances for the Beavers in 2011, and struck out 35 batters in 46 innings, while limiting opponents to a .253 batting average. Boyd was credited with four saves, but was primarily used in a setup role for closer Tony Bryant.

Boyd also allowed on 31% of inherited runners to score in 2011, and 30% for his two year career at Oregon St.

Boyd becomes only the fifth Beaver to play for the US Collegiate National Team, following Kevin Gunderson and Jonah Nickerson in 2005, Darwin Barney in 2006, and Kevin Rhoderick in 2008. Former OSU player Brian Barden also appeared for Team USA, in 2008 with the Olympic Team, and in 2010 with the Pan Am Qualifying Team.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com