BURLINGTON, N.C. – On Saturday, June 27, the USA Collegiate National Team played the second game of their doubleheader at Burlington Athletic Stadium against the MLB Draft Appalachian League’s Burlington Sock Puppets. The collegiate squad won in eight innings by a score of 6-1.
World Baseball Network takes a look at some players who stood out for Team USA in the win over Burlington.
Nico Partida leads the USA Collegiates in hitting
Texas A&M’s Nico Partida had a massive game in the win on Saturday night against the Sock Puppets. He led the collegiate squad with three hits and hit a solo home run in the third inning of the game.
Partida talked about his big game with Team USA afterward with World Baseball Network.
“I was just looking for pitches early in the count that I could hit,” said Partida,
During his freshman season with the Texas A&M Aggies, Partida had a .306 batting average. He also had 12 home runs and 53 RBIs. Partida was a part of the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC’s) All-Freshman team and was named a first-team freshman All-American by the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
He is a former three-time All-State player for Pearland High School in Texas.
Ethan Lund with four strikeouts out of the bullpen
Oklahoma State’s Ethan Lund pitched two innings in relief against Burlington on Saturday. He replaced the Team USA starter and Oregon right-handed pitcher Will Sanford in the third inning.
Lund had four strikeouts in his two innings of work against the Sock Puppets. He also did not allow any hits, walks, or runs.
Ethan Lund was dealing out of the pen tonight ?
2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K@EthanLund36 x @OSUBaseball pic.twitter.com/SmpDDLxqp3
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) June 28, 2026
Lund talked about his outing in Burlington with World Baseball Network.
“I got a lot of swings on my curveball and got ahead in counts with my fastball as well,” Lund stated.
In 2026, Lund had 137 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings of work. He tallied five wins on the mound with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and allowed an opposing batting average of .212.
On May 15, he pitched a complete, seven-inning game against the Arizona Wildcats in a 13-1 win.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Texas A&M utility Nico Partida (2) throws to first during an NCAA regional baseball game against Lamar on Friday, May 29, 2026, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
