CARY, N.C. – On Friday, July 3, the USA Collegiate National Team played game four of the Stars and Stripes series at Coleman Field in the USA Baseball Training Complex. Team Stars won the fourth game of the series 5-1.
Tennessee’s Trent Grindlinger, Texas left-handed pitcher Luke Harrison, and UNC Wilmington’s Trey Williford all stood out in the game played on July 3rd.
Trent Grindlinger leads the Stars and Stripes game in hitting
Grindlinger led the way with his hitting during the Stars and Stripes game on July 3rd. He was the only player on both teams to have a multi-hit day, with two hits in three at-bats and a run scored.
A 2⃣-hit night for Trent Grindlinger.@TGrindlinger x @Vol_Baseball pic.twitter.com/22vU6C3UiQ
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 4, 2026
For Grindlinger, it was a big day after he had missed some time due to a concussion. He was hit in the head by a pitch last weekend against the MLB Draft Appalachian League’s Burlington Sock Puppets. That was an exhibition game played on June 27.
The Tennessee catcher talked about his day with Team USA.
“I’m happy to be back after my concussion,” Grindlinger said. “I was just playing hard and playing baseball the right way. The key was to fight and put some balls in play.”
During his freshman year with the Volunteers, Grindlinger had a .345 batting average with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. He also had an on-base percentage of .414. Overall, he proved to be one of Tennessee’s most potent hitters this past season.
Grindlinger was named to the 2026 Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team.
Luke Harrison wraps up a great summer with six strikeouts
Harrison pitched 2 1/3 innings on Thursday at Coleman Field. He tallied six strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Harrison also had no walks and allowed no runs during his time on the mound.
The veteran southpaw for the Texas Longhorns has 10 strikeouts on the mound for the USA Collegiate National Team during his time pitching in these exhibition games.
He talked about his experience this summer with World Baseball Network.
“I take a lot of pride in wearing this uniform,” Harrison said, referencing the red, white, and blue. “I do not take this opprotunity for granted. The key for me has been going out there and doing my best every time.”
In 2026, Harrison had a 4.10 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings of work with Texas. He picked up six wins on the mound for the Longhorns in his senior season.
Harrison also reached a season-high in strikeouts with 11 against the Georgia Bulldogs in a College World Series game on June 16. That was the last start of his college baseball season as he helped Texas reach Omaha for the first time since 2022.
Trey Williford throws seven strikeouts for Team USA
Williford came into the game for Wake Forest pitcher Marcelo Harsch after he gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings. In the final three innings of the game, the UNC Wilmington left-hander had seven strikeouts, leading both teams. He also allowed just one hit while allowing no runs.
In 2026, Williford put together a fantastic season for the Seahawks. In 67 1/3 innings, he had a 3.34 ERA and 89 strikeouts. Williford also allowed an opposing batting average of .215. He picked up seven wins this season for UNC Wilmington.
Williford was the 2026 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Year and was first-team All-Conference. He was also a freshman All-American this season.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: UNC Wilmington pitcher Trey Williford (33) warms up before an NCAA baseball game against Jacksonville on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
