Many new faces will contribute to the Titans on the diamond this spring, but an experience unlike any other will be had by a sophomore this December: International competition.
Travis Owens, a second year Kinesiology major from Shanghai, China is slotted to pitch for the Thai national team in a tournament that will feature other Southeast Asian nations from December 2nd to the 8th. Despite hailing from China, Travis' connection to Thailand is a deep one. Travis' mother grew up in the Thai capital city of Bangkok where she lived until reaching adulthood and where according to Owens, they frequently traveled to while living in Asia.
The recruitment and selection process for the Titan lefthanded pitcher was an interesting one as it was mainly occurred over social media. Serendipitously, Travis' father ran into the Thai national team's recruiter who quickly invited Travis to register for the games, which will be played in the Philippines. Travis learned of his selection to the team over social media as well, remembering how excited and proud his mother was that he would be representing her native country.
While his eyes are certainly on bringing home the gold medal, Owens anticipates the international competition to be an enlightening time for his baseball future as well as a humbling experience, saying he is "honored to be playing for Thailand, a country I love so much". Those wishing to follow Travis Owens and the rest of the Thai National team's run in the tournament can do so by following the SEA website or Thai National baseball team Facebook page.
