Watch & Listen to Game 03 vs Owlz

YOLO HIGH WHEELERS (8-9) vs. NORTHERN COLORADO OWLZ (14-6)

Listen to the Yolo High Wheeler Commentary here

Watch the Game Broadcast on FloSports here

Pitching Matchup:
Yolo–RHP–Brandon McPherson (1-0, 3.75) @ Northern Colorado–LHP–Will Buraconak (2-1, 7.50)
Probables for Northern Colorado (Thursday-Saturday, 5:15 PST, Sunday is at 12:05 PST)
6/14–Yolo–RHP–Shaun Gamelin (0-1, 7.20) @ Northern Colorado–RHP–Mark Tindall (2-1, 10.00)
6/15–Yolo–LHP–Brandon Mitchell (0-0, 9.77) @ Northern Colorado–RHP–Nathan Draves (0-0, 3.00)
6/16–Yolo–RHP–Ben Ferrer (1-1, 5.87) @ Northern Colorado–LHP–Chase Jessee (3-0, 3.91)

TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHER–6–RHP–BRANDON McPHERSON (1-0, 3.75)

-third start/appearance of 2024; no-decision in last start at Oakland (line below)
-lifetime against Northern Colorado in two starts is 1-0; beat Owlz at NoCo September 9th last year
-second year in Pioneer League, last season with Billings was 3-0, 5.23, eight games/seven starts
-manager last season with the Mustangs is Yolo manager Billy Horton
-Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week (8/21-28) last year
-played three seasons at Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, Ill.), career with Huskies was 4-7
-went to Wabash Valley College prior to NIU
-originally from the western Chicago suburbs (North Aurora, Illinois)
-2018 Aurora Beacon-News Baseball Player of the Year his senior season at Marmion Academy

GAME LOG
DATE OPP IP H R ER BB K DEC SCORE
5/30 GJ 6 2 1 1 4 6 W 4-1
6/6 '@OAK 6 7 6 5 1 7 ND 8-8 (lost 2-1 KO)

HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS
2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 4-5; 2B; R Hitting Streak: Two Games (5-9)
-first four-hit game of season last night; homered in back-to-back games at OAK 6/7-8
-Lamar University alum, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana; loves eating alligator
-with Frederick (MLB Draft League) last year, (.387, 7, 29, 6 SB)
-was multi-offensive threat in five seasons of football at Lamar, primarily played wide receiver
-graduate of Barbe High School; helped lead the Buccaneers to three state titles in baseball

4 BRAYLIN MARINE Last Game: 1-5; HR; 3 RBI's Hitting Streak: Four Games (9-19)
-nine hits over last four games; three-run homer last night in fifth inning
-finished series vs. GJ 10-22 (.455), all ten hits were singles; scored four runs on 5/28
-reached base safely 15 times over his five games vs. GJ (five walks/ten singles)
-hails from Freeport, New York (Long Island)
last season at Mahoning Valley (MLB Draft League) (.318, 0, 17, 13 SB)
-five seasons at NCAA—Division II-- Newberry (SC) College; all-time SB leader with 100
-Wolves won two South Atlantic Conference Championships during his time

5 BRAYLAND SKINNER Last Game: 3-4; BB; R; RBI Hitting Streak: Four Games (8-17)
-has hit safely in eight-of-last-nine games (15-34, .441); three homers in series at OAK
-first two homers of season on 6/8; seven RBI's in game, most by a High Wheeler
-Memphis area native (Southaven, Mississippi)
-played two seasons at Mississippi State and one year at University of Memphis
-member of the 2021 NCAA College World Series Champion Mississippi State Bulldogs
-finished second steals in the American Athletic Conference for Memphis last year with 22
-last season was in the MLB Draft League with Williamsport (.333, 1, 19, 12 SB)

7 BRAEDON BLACKFORD Last Game: 1-4; HR; 2 RBI's Hitting Streak: One Game (1-4)
-got Yolo on the board last night with two-run homer in second inning; fourth homer of trip
-homered in three straight games @ OAK; 6/5-7, all solo, first High Wheeler with HR's in three consecutive games
-picked up the first hit in Yolo history with a first inning single on May 21
-played two years at Purdue Fort Wayne (NCAA-D-I, Horizon League)
-All-Horizon League First Team senior year at PFW, had 14 homers; prior to PFW played at Illinois State
-spent 2023 with State College (MLB Draft League), in 46 games, .270, 5, 34, 3 SB

9 MASON MINZEY Last Game: 2-3; R; IBB Hitting Streak: One Game (2-3)
-three hits (all singles) in season opener on May 21 for the Flint, Michigan area product
-three seasons of college ball was at Ohio University after beginning varsity career at Texas Tech
-played 32 games last year w/Williamsport (MLB Draft League) (.268, 0, 6)

11 BOBBY LADA (LUH-DAY) Last Game: 2-5; HR; RBI Hitting Streak: Three Games (7-14)
-hit go-ahead homer last night in seventh inning–team-high fifth
-four hits on Tuesday night (all singles) was second four-hit game of the season
-homered on 6/9 at Oakland; had two HR in series; 13-game on base streak come to an end 6/8
-completed Grand Junction series with two homers (Grand Slam) and 12 RBI's; was 10-21 (.476)
-Twelve RBI's in series vs. Grand Junction with eight hits in 16 AB's (.500)
-had four hits (triple shy of the cycle) on 5/28 along with six RBI's vs. Grand Junction
-eighth inning Grand Slam on 5/28 vs. GJ was first homer in Yolo history
-West Virginia in 2023 (MLB Draft League), .336, 3, 29, 21 SB
-two seasons for the University of Louisiana, and finished college career at NAIA William Carey
-originally is from Richmond, Texas (Houston area)

14 JUSTIN KIRBY Last Game: 0-3; R Hitting Streak: No Games
-hit first professional homer Tuesday; had both RBI's, also had sac fly
-outfielder signed on May 28th for his first pro contract; two hits on 5/28 in pro debut
-lead off pinch hit double on 6/8 @ Oakland sparking three-run ninth; first PH in team history
-went to spring training with Fargo (American Association) and Missoula (Pioneer League)
-played four seasons at Kent State University (Kent, Ohio) & last year at Auburn
-amassed 29 homers with Kent State and eight at Auburn; originally from Alpharetta, Ga.
-was Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Kent State in 2019 (.313, 9, 30)

18 SAM KUCHINSKI Last Game: DNP Hitting Streak: One Game (1-3)
-hit first pro homer on 6/4 @ Oakland
-first season as a pro after playing two years at University of Montevallo (Alabama); NCAA D-II
-at Montevallo--34 HR's, 130 RBI's, GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE PLAYER OF YEAR both seasons
-can play the infield and serve as team's third catcher; originally from Powder Springs, Georgia

23 JOSE GONZALEZ Last Game: 2-5; 2B; R Hitting Streak: One Game (2-5)
-snapped 1-19 slump last night with two hits
-seven-game hit streak snapped 6/5; was 15-27 (.556), had three homers in series at Oakland
-first two homers of season on 6/4 @ OAK; four RBI's; first Yolo player with two-homer game
-reached base safely 19 times in series vs. Grand Junction
-four hits on 6/2 (all singles), completed a 13-22 six-game set (.591) with seven RBI's against Grand Junction
-alum of Texas State University (San Marcos, Texas); 2022 All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team
-amassed 33 homers in his Bobcats career with a .290 average
-played in the 2022 NCAA Division I Baseball Team; Stanford All-Region Team (homered in set)
-originally from Spring, Texas (near Houston) and is an alum of Klein High School

31 TANNER SMITH Last Game: 1-4; K Hitting Streak: Six Games (7-22)
-second professional season; spent last year with Tri-City (Frontier League) .289, 3, 23
-current season-long six-game hit streak (7-22, .318)
-homered in back-to-back games at Oakland 6/7-8; first two homers of the season
-snapped an 0-15 to start season with eighth inning RBI single in first game of this series on 5/28
-five-year career at the University of Oregon
-ALL-TIME Oregon leader in homers with 31, RBI's with 58, games started 246, doubles with 69
-Honorable Mention, All Pac-12 Conference in 2023 (.327, 11, 45)
-four-year letter winner at Servite High School in Anaheim ; grew up a Los Angeles Dodgers fan in Newport Beach

35 ANGEL MENDOZA Last Game: DNP Hitting Streak: No Games
-first pro HR 6/4 @ OAK; scored six runs in series @ OAK
-last year was with Trenton (MLB Draft League), .185, 0, 8 , hit homer against the Savannah Bananas
-Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2023 at Union College (KY)
-established single season school record with 25 homers, and 27 hit by pitches (.404, 25, 53)
-was third in the league in batting average at .404
-won the Gold Glove as catcher for the conference; helped lead Bulldogs to the NAIA Playoffs
-originally from Corona, California, played one year of NCAA Division I baseball at CSUN

37 KYLE GUERRA Last Game: 0-2; K Hitting Streak: No Games
-made diving catch last night in RF on final play of game
-begins his second professional season; signed by the High Wheelers out of a tryout camp
-played last season in Pecos League with the San Rafael Pacifics (42 games, .365, 4, 44, 32 SB)
-at Cal State Monterey Bay (NCAA-Division II); played four seasons with Otters (.296 lifetime)
-alum of San Leandro High School in the Bay Area; fan of San Francisco Giants

HIGH WHEELERS BULLPEN (TOTALS IN THIS SERIES): (7 IP, 6 K, 5.14 ERA)
10 NOAH ESTRELLA Last Appearance: 6/11 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, 2 K)
-two appearances in series @ Oakland; , has allowed one run over last three innings/outings
-losing pitcher/blown save on 5/31 vs. Grand Junction after allowing two-run homer in the top of eighth
-pitched two seasons at New Mexico State (39 games overall with Aggies, was 5-3); appeared in 2022 NCAA
-last two seasons with Pulaski in the Appalachian League (MLB Draft), combined 2-1 in 15 games
-father Erick was his high school coach at Flowing Hills in Tucson

17 JACK ZALASKY Last Appearance: 6/12 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, W)
-picked up second win of season last night with perfect sixth inning
-earned his first win of season on 5/28 vs. GJ; recorded final out & picked up first SV in team history on May 21
-last year at Mahoning Valley (MLBDL) 1-0, 7.88, 12 games; native of Sacramento, alum of Elk Grove HS
-five seasons at Sac State was 16-9, 3.23 with 26 saves; ; led Western Athletic Conference in saves in 2023 with 11
-father Pat pitched at Sacramento State; grandfather played football at Sac State

22 NOAH LEWIS Last Appearance: 6/5 vs. Dublin (6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, W)
-signed Tuesday by Yolo, takes the place on the active roster when JC Ariza was placed on the IL
-first year pro began this season with the Marysville Drakes of the Pecos League where he was a starter
-record with Marysville 1-1 in three games, 11 strikeouts in 16 1⁄3 innings
-went to spring training with the High Wheelers after being let go before the season
-right-hander is originally from Pleasanton, Ca. (Foothill HS) where he also played basketball and football
-pitched and played right field at Contra Costa Community College

25 TY BUCKNER Last Appearance: 6/11 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, H, R, ER, BB, K, SV)
-picked up second save of the season last night despite allowing first earned run this season
-spent three years pitching for Missouri State and one with Gonzaga (college career 8-9, 5.32)
-State College last year (MLB Draft) was 1-2 in 26 games with six saves, 1.74
-originally from St. Louis; missed two years in college with Achillies injury & Tommy John Surgery

27 CAL McANINCH (Mick-AN-itch) Last Appearance: 6/9 @ Oakland (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, K, HR)
-struggled in series at Oakland pitching twice allowing seven runs (all earned in 2 IP) over two outings
-second year pro but is in first Pioneer League season
-made pro debut in 2023 with one game for the Winnipeg Goldeyes (American Association)
-pitched bulk of last season with Lake Erie (Frontier League) 0-0, 5.96, all 23 games in relief
-played his last three college years at the University of Toledo (12-6 lifetime with Rockets)
-sidearmer is originally from Columbus, Ohio—Bishop Watterson High School

32 KRIS ANGLIN Last Appearance: 6/9 @ Oakland (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB)
-lone High Wheeler with affiliated experience (Atlanta and Detroit systems) ; 4-8 MiLB record
-didn't pitch competitively after spring training last season, spent 2023 working out and pitching on side
-Bakersfield native who attended Frontier High School

34 CONNOR LANGRELL Last Appearance: 6/11 @ Northern Colorado (2 IP, H, 2 K)
-over his last eight games, worked 9 1⁄3 shutout innings, 3 hits, one run, and eight strikeouts
-notched first pro save with a perfect ninth inning on 5/29 vs. GJ
-last season with Williamsport (MLB Draft) (0-0, 2.52, 23 games (all relief) ; three seasons DII Newman University in Wichita
-spent last college year (2023) as graduate player at Bradley University (2-1, 11 saves); originally from Tampa area

47 JACOB STOBART Last Appearance: 6/11 @ Northern Colorado (1 1⁄3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, K)
-team-high third win in last outing on 6/8 @ Oakland
-earned first win in team history pitching innings six & seven in resumption of game from May 21st
-second year in Pioneer League, played for manager Billy Horton last year with Billings (2-1, 2.38, six games)
-pitched much of last year with Aigles de Trois-Rivieres in Frontier League (0-0, 6.26, 22 games)
-attended Stephen F. Austin University; six wins in three seasons with Lumberjacks; originally from Phoenix

TEAM GAME HIGHS
Runs: 19 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Runs Allowed 12 6/7 @ Oakland
Hits: 21 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Hits Allowed: 15 6/7 @ Oakland
Home Runs 5 6/8 @ Oakland
Errors: 3 Accomplished Twice, last: 6/7 @ Oakland
Runs in inning: 9 5/28 vs. Grand Junction (Eighth Inning)
Strikeouts for Pitchers: 14 6/4 @ Oakland

INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Hits: 4 Multiple Times last: Kirkland Banks 6/12 @ Northern Colorado
RBI's 7 Brayland Skinner 6/8 @ Oakland
Walks 3 Multiple Times last: Braedon Blackford 6/4 @ Oakland
Runs 4 Multiple Times last: Skinner/Lada 6/2 vs. Grand Junction
Reaching Base Safely 5X Accomplished several times last: Jose Gonzalez 6/2 vs. Grand Junction
Home Runs 2 Accomplished Twice last: Brayland Skinner 6/8 @ Oakland

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Innings: 6 Multiple Times last: Shaun Gamelin 6/7 @ Oakland
Hits: 10 Shaun Gamelin 6/7 @ Oakland
Strikeouts: 9 Accomplished Twice last: Cameron Repetti 6/11 @ Northern Colorado
Walks 5 Dawson Lane 6/4 @ Oakland
Earned Runs 5 Multiple Times last: Dawson Lane 6/11 @ Northern Colorado

STARTING GAMES BY POSITION
C Mendoza (11), Minzey (6)
1B Gonzalez (9), Kuchinski (5), Minzy (2), Blackford (1)
2B Lada (12), Banks (5)
3B Blackford (8), Banks (5), Kuchinski (2), Leslie (2),
SS Marine (14), Lada (3)
LF Smith (7), Gonzalez (4), Banks (3), Kirby (2)
CF Skinner (15), Guerra (2)
RF Kirby (7), Guerra (5), Smith (5)
DH Kuchinski (7), Banks (2), Smith (2), Blackford (1), Gonzalez (1), Lada (1), Marine (1), Minzey (1), Skinner (1)

STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Skinner (13), Marine (4)
2—Marine (10), Lada (4), Smith (3)
3–Lada (7), Blackford (2), Gonzalez (2), Minzy (2), Smith (2), Kuchinski (1), Marine (1)
4-Kuchinksi (10), Gonzalez (6), Blackford (1)
5-Gonzalez (4), Banks (3), Blackford (3), Kuchinski (3), Smith (2), Lada (1), Minzey (1)
6---Blackford (4), Banks (3), Smith (3), Minzey (2), Gonzalez (1), Kirby (1), Lada (1), Marine (1), Skinner (1)
7—Kirby (5), Banks (3), Lada (3), Smith (3), Mendoza (1), Minzy (1), Skinner (1)
8—Banks (4), Guerra (3), Kirby (3), Leslie (2), Minzey (2), Smith (2), Skinner (1)
9–Mendoza (10), Guerra (4), Banks (1), Gonzalez (1), Minzey (1)