For the first time ever, sophomore Kevin Newman and junior Mathew Troupe played against each other. The two Wildcats were selected to play in the Cape Cod League All-Star game last weekend. Newman was the starting shortstop for the West and Troupe was the relief pitcher for the East. The Cape Cod League has served as training ground for first round MLB draft picks. In 2012, 229 Cape Cod League players were drafted , 12 in the first round.

“Those guys are good baseball players,” head coach Andy Lopez said. “I’m not surprised at all on the selection. They both bring great work ethic and leadership to the team.”

Newman said he was not shocked about being named to the team.

“At the beginning of the summer, I set the goal for myself to make the All-Star team, and I thought it was a realistic objective,” Newman said. “When I was selected, there was a sense of relief that I had not failed to reach my goal.”

After a breakout freshman season in which Newman compiled a .336 batting average, comprising 73 hits and 42 RBI, it becomes clear why he wasn’t overwhelmed about the selection.

“I just trusted that my approach and work ethic on and off the field would get me there,” Newman said. “And thankfully it did.”

Newman’s batting average ranked fourth highest on the team and 11th in the Pac-12. His hits and RBI were ranked seventh and eighth respectively in the competitive conference and he was the only freshman position player to be named All-Pac-12.

“Newman had an really good freshman year,” Lopez said. “We hope to see his production repeat next year.”

Newman became an everyday player immediately, starting every game at shortstop for the Wildcats in his first year.

Defensively, the Poway, Calif., native committed just six errors last season in 55 games to boast a .975 fielding percentage.

Troupe shared similar sentiments about the shortstop’s selection.

“There was no surprise whatsoever,” Troupe said. “Newman is a stud. Everytime we played them, he did extremely well. He was great for us last season and I think he will do extremely well for us next season.”

Troupe excelled in his role as a closer during his freshman campaign and closed out the 2012 College World Series, giving Arizona its fourth national championship. He pitched in 24 games, compiled a 6-1 record and had an ERA of 3.47. The Northridge, Calif., native also led the team with six saves.

Last year, inconsistency plagued the sophomore, but he saw his stats improve to a 6-0 record with a 3.29 ERA and nine saves over 29 appearances.

“Troupe has been focusing on his consistency after a sporadic season last year,” Lopez said. “But I think he is really motivated to be consistent this year as a reliever, or even as a starter.”

Newman and Troupe continued to impress during the game. Troupe ranks second among Cape Cod League pitchers with six saves.

“It’s an absolute honor and a blessing to be chosen in such a prestigious league among the best players in the nation,” Troupe said. “[At the same time], I thought I deserved it with how I was playing.”