Former members of the Loyola Marymount University baseball team have continued to make on-field headlines.

---Pitcher Stephen Kahn was added to the 2004 USA Baseball National Team roster, managed by LMU head coach Frank Cruz announced today. Kahn becomes the third Lion to play for Team USA, following in the footsteps of former LMU baseball standouts Joe Ciccarella (1989-1991) and Chris Gomez (1990-91).

Kahn --- named WCC Pitcher of the Year after he helped lead LMU to the Coast Division title --- joined the team in time to travel to the 33rd Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series starting last weekend in New Ohita, Japan.

During last week's trials in Durham, N.C., "I thought I pitched well," the Anaheim native said. "I am excited now to have the opportunity to play with Team USA and I am going to make the most of it and contribute any way I can."

---After a brilliant four-year career with the Lions, Loyola Marymount's Jonathan Higashi has signed with the Texas Rangers organization. Higashi, the 2004 Male Athlete of the Year, will spend his first year of professional baseball with the AZL Rangers, the organization's rookie league team in Surprise, Arizona.

Higashi was the first in LMU history to be named both the Male Athlete of the Year and Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Receiving 2004 All-West Coast Conference honorable mention recognition, his .371 season batting average places him among the top five of all position players attending this weekend's trials. Prior to the start of the 2004 season, Baseball America selected Higashi as the conference's best overall, best defensive, and best arm among all WCC catchers.

After earning an invitation to the 2004 USA Baseball National Team Trials in Durham, Higashi left the trials early to report to the Rangers' mini-camp at the Surprise Sports Campus. The Canoga Park native graduated from LMU in May with a degree in Business Administration.

"We're excited that Jon has been given the opportunity with the Rangers," LMU Assistant Coach Jon Strauss said. "Jon has meant a lot to LMU baseball during his four-year career, and it's great to see him get the chance to play professionally."

Higashi becomes the fourth Lion to sign following the 2004 season. Will Quaglieri (New York Mets), Billy Lockin (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Kevin Jenson (San Francisco Giants) also began their professional careers this summer.

---Former Loyola Marymount baseball standouts Benny Craig (1997) and Anthony Angel (1998-2000) were named to the Central Baseball League's All-Star team, and will represent their respective squads in the All-Star game in late July.

Angel's selection comes on the heels of his CBL Player of the Week honor, after he went 14-for-28 (.500) with 10 runs scored and seven RBI on the week. The second baseman, selected by the Houston Astros in the 14th round of the 2000 draft, also added six doubles, a triple and a home run for a slugging percentage of .893.

While at LMU, Angel was a three-time WCC first-team selection and the 2000 WCC Player of the Year. The Los Angeles native is the nephew of LMU Head Coach Frank Cruz.

Craig, selected as a designated hitter from the Amarillo Dillas, played with the Lions in 1997 before being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 19th round of the 1997 draft. The former Lion leads the CBL All-Star roster with 12 homeruns on the season.

The 2004 all-star game will be held July 20 at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, Texas, as the CBL All-Stars will take on the Northeast League All-Stars. Fort Worth manager Wayne Terwilliger will serve as coach.