FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – On Saturday, July 4, the USA Collegiate National Team had its fifth and final game of the Stars and Stripes series at Segra Stadium. The ballpark is normally home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
Vanderbilt’s Ryker Waite and Arizona State’s Landon Hairston both hit home runs during the USA Collegiate National Team game on July 4.
Vanderbilt’s Ryker Waite and Arizona State’s Landon Hairston hit home runs for Team USA
In the second inning of the game, Waite hit a three-run home run in Fayetteville. It was the second straight game Waite recorded a hit in the 2026 Stars and Stripes series.
In 2026, Waite had a solid sophomore season for the Commodores and showed he was one of the better hitters on the team. He had a .305 batting average with 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 44 RBIs.
It was a big breakout season for Waite after he only made three at-bats during his freshman year in 2025.
The Vanderbilt sophomore talked about his experience playing with Team USA.
“It was a dream come true,” Waite told World Baseball Network. “There are so many good players and coaches out here. I am blessed to have this opportunity.”
Ryker Waite ????@RykerWaite5 x @VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/HJPyvyaYQA
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 4, 2026
After Waite’s home run, Hairston joined the long ball party with a solo home run in the third inning.
The Arizona State infielder was one of the best players in all of college baseball in 2026. He had a .400 batting average, a .509 on-base percentage, 28 home runs, and 81 RBIs.
Hairston was a Golden Spikes finalist in 2026 alongside UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky and Georgia’s Daniel Jackson. He was also the 2026 Big 12 Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.
He also spoke with World Baseball Network and talked about his experience playing with Team USA.
“It was awesome,” Hairston said. “You get to play with the best players in the country. It is the most unbelievable thing I have been a part of since I began playing baseball.”
Landon Hairston goes deep ????@hairston_landon x @ASU_Baseball pic.twitter.com/zXkeTDnzQ8
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 4, 2026
Waite and Hairston’s relationship goes back to their youth baseball days
The USA Collegiate National Team games have served as a reunion for Waite and Hairston. The two players have been playing with and against each other since they were eight years old.
In high school, Waite and Hairston played for rival schools in Queen Creek, Ariz. Waite played for Queen Creek High School, and Hairston played for Casteel High School.
Both players talked about reuniting and their prior relationship.
“It’s crazy,” Hairston said. “I remember playing travel ball in Arizona with Ryker. When we got the invites to play with Team USA, we both connected. It is a full-circle moment and just the beginning for the two of us.”
“We don’t play for the same schools,” Waite said. “So, getting to play and connect with him [Hairston] again has been such a good experience. It is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: AP | John Amis, Landon Hairston on Instagram (@landonhairston3)
