OLYMPIC TRIALS : Walk-On Garciaparra Earns Spot on U.S. Baseball Squad

Nomar Garciaparra of Georgia Tech, a walk-on at the U.S. Olympic baseball trials, is part of the 26-player Team USA announced Sunday at Millington, Tenn.

Garciaparra, an 18-year-old shortstop from Whittier, survived four cuts this week to grab a spot on the team that will make a 27-game U.S.-Latin America tour before the Olympics.

Six players still have to be cut, but five will be pitchers and one will be a catcher, virtually assuring Garciaparra a spot on the team.

Garciaparra, who played at St. John Bosco High School hit .333 during the trials, reached base eight times in 15 at bats and scored five runs. He also hit a home run.

“He makes your heart pump,” U.S. Coach Ron Fraser said. “He put on quite a show here.”

Other Southland players on the team are second baseman Steve Rodriguez of NCAA champion Pepperdine, first baseman Ryan McGuire of UCLA and third baseman Phil Nevin and catcher Jason Moler of Cal State Fullerton.

Cal State Long Beach infielders Chris Gomez and Jason Giambi and UC Riverside pitcher Daron Kirkreit were released.