Oiler junior shortstop Nico Partida took the mound for game three of the 6A Region III Quarter-Final series vs Atascocita in his first start of the season.
Partida has previously come in to close a pair of games this season but chiefly focused on playing shortstop, while seniors Jake Mader-Cooper and Jaiden Barfield have been the primary starters in the rotation.
Game one ended with a 2-0 loss, game two was a tight 1-0 win in extra innings, and game three was the highest pressure the Oilers have faced in 2024.
Partida answered the call with thunder, taking a no-hitter through 6 innings, striking out eight batters, and only being pulled in the top of the 7th inning for closer Trevor Ainsworth after giving up his first hit of the night.
Partida also notched an RBI at the plate to help lead Pearland to a 6-0 win in game three and the Quarter-Final Championship.
Up next, the Oilers will face Spring Branch Memorial in round four, all games to be played at the University of Houston with game one on Thursday at 7 pm, game two on Friday at 7 pm, and game three (if needed) on Saturday at 8 pm.
