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Games Streamed to YouTube LIVE
Grand Junction Jackalopes (1-6) vs High Wheelers (3-2) May 29
The Yolo High Wheelers resume their series against the Grand Junction Jackalopes with Game 03 on May 30th. While all the games until Friday will be closed to the public, fans can still catch all the action via YouTube Live Audio, featuring commentary by the established expert, Doug Greenwald.
GRAND JUNCTION JACKALOPES (1-6) vs. YOLO HIGH WHEELERS (3-2) Pitching Matchup:
Grand Junction---RHP—Frank Racioppo (0-0, 2.25) vs. Yolo—RHP—Brandon McPherson (NR, ---)
Series Probables:
Grand Junction---LHP---Brandon Ross (0-1, 6.43) vs. Yolo---RHP—Shaun Gamelin (NR, ----) Grand Junction---RHP---Elijah Johnson (0-1, 12.00) vs. Yolo—LHP—Brandon Mitchell (0-0, 12.00) Grand Junction—RHP—Josh Verdon (0-0, 19.50) vs. Yolo—RHP—JC Ariza (0-1, 9.00)
TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHER-RHP—Brandon McPherson (NR, ---)
-makes his first start/appearance of 2024; first outing ever against Grand Junction
-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 (line below)
-5 shutout IP, 7 K, 4 H, 1 BB vs. Idaho Falls
-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
HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS
2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 1-4; R; BB; SB Hitting Streak: Five Games (5-20) -Lamar University alum, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana; loves eating alligator
-has hit safely in all five games (5-20, .250)
-this is first professional season, 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: 2-5; RBI Hitting Streak: Two Games (6-11)
-six hits (all singles) in the first two games of this series (6-11, .545); four hits on Tuesday
-first professional season, 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: 1-4; SAC FLY; RBI Hitting Streak: Five Games (9-19) -Memphis area native (Southaven, Mississippi) enters first year of professional baseball -five-game season opening hitting streak, nine hits in 19 AB's (.474)
-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: 0-1 as PH Hitting Streak:
-picked up the first hit in Yolo history with a first inning single on May 21
-first pro season, 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: 0-4; BB Hitting Streak: No Games (hitless in last six AB) -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
-first pro season after playing 32 games last year w/Williamsport (MLB Draft League) (.268, 0, 6)
11 BOBBY LADA (LUH-DAY) Last Game: 0-1; 2 BB; R; HP; RBI Hitting Streak: Four Games (7-19) -season-opening four-game hitting streak snapped yesterday but contributed reaching base three times -had four hits (triple shy of the cycle) on Tuesday night
-eighth inning Grand Slam Tuesday was first homer in Yolo history & his pro career
-first professional season, was with 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); primary position is shortstop
14 JUSTIN KIRBY Last Game: DNP Hitting Streak: One Game (2-5) -outfielder signed on May 28th for his first professional contract; two hits on Tuesday in pro debut
-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, Georgia -was Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Kent State in 2019 (.313, 9, 30)
18 SAM KUCHINSKI Last Game: 0-2; 2 BB; R Hitting Streak: No Games
-four-game hitting streak snapped yesterday, was 8-14, .571 over stretch
-has reached base safely at least twice in all five games
-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: 1-3; 2B; BB Hitting Streak: Two Games (3-7)
-first year pro who is primarily a corner outfielder but can also play first base
-had three RBI's the other night, is 3-7 in first two games of this set (.429)
-made pro debut in game one on 5/26 and picked up first pro hit—fourth inning single
-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) -prior to Texas State played at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas
-originally from Spring, Texas (near Houston) and is an alum of Klein High School
31 TANNER SMITH Last Game: 2-2; 2 BB Hitting Streak: Two Games (3-5) -second professional season; spent last year with Tri-City (Frontier League) .289, 3, 23 -snapped an 0-15 to start season with eighth inning RBI single the other night
-has reached base safely in seven-of-last eight plate appearances (three hits, four walks) -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: One Game (1-4)
-first pro season, last year was with Trenton (MLB Draft League), .185, 0, 8
-scored first run in franchise history on May 21
-Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year in lone season (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; BB Hitting Streak: No Games
-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
10 NOAH ESTRELLA Last Appearance: 5/29 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, 1 K) -made pro debut yesterday pitching a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout
-makes first appearance on a professional roster after last two seasons at New Mexico State -last two seasons with Pulaski in the Appalachian League (MLB Draft), combined 2-1 in 15 games -at NMSU in 39 games was overall 5-3; pitched one game in 2022 NCAA Tournament for Aggies -father Erick was his high school coach at Flowing Hills in Tucson
15 BEN FERRER Last Appearance: 5/29 vs. Grand Junction (2 IP, 2 H, 4 K, W)
-earned his first pro win yesterday by pitching two shutout frames (fifth and sixth innings)
-suffered loss in game one on 5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain allowing five runs over two innings (plus) in relief -returns to the Pioneer League for his second season, was with Glacier last year (1-1, 14 games)
-played three seasons at South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg, SC; NCAA D-I)
-finished his college career with two campaigns with Oregon State
-overall college totals; 14-5, 3.43; originally from Alpharetta, Georgia
17 JACK ZALASKY Last Appearance: 5/28 vs. Grand Junction (1 1/3 IP, H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HP, W)
-earned his first pro win other night; recorded final out opening night (5/21) & picked up first save in team history -Yolo is first pro team; last year at Mahoning Valley (MLB Draft League) 1-0, 7.88, 12 games
-in five seasons at Sacramento 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 and brother Alex hurled at Concordia University in Irvine
-grandfather -played football at Sac State; native of Sacramento went to Elk Grove High School
25 TY BUCKNER Last Appearance: 5/28 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, H, K)
-finished game the other night with scoreless ninth inning
-spent three years pitching for Missouri State and one with Gonzaga (college career 8-9, 5.32) -pitched in the NCAA Tournament with Missouri State in 2018
-first year pro with 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: 5/28 vs. Grand Junction (2/3 IP, H, BB, K) -made Yolo debut first game of this series with 2/3 of shutout relief
-second year pro but is in first Pioneer League season; did not appear against Rocky Mountain -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: 5/29 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, K, HR) -has worked in three straight games (4 ER over 4 IP with 4 K)
-lone High Wheeler with affiliated experience (Atlanta and Detroit systems)
-reached as high as Low-A in each organization; has an overall 4-8 professional record
-Bakersfield native who attended Frontier High School
34 CONNOR LANGRELL Last Appearance: 5/29 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, K)
-notched first pro save with a perfect ninth inning yesterday; has worked in first two games of series -first year pro, last season with Williamsport (MLB Draft) (0-0, 2.52, 23 games (all relief)
-played three seasons at Newman University in Wichita (NCAA-Division II)
-spent last college year (2023) as graduate player at Bradley University (2-1, 11 saves)
-originally from Riverview, Florida (Tampa area)
47 JACOB STOBART Last Appearance: 5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game 2) (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, K, HR) -earned first win in team history pitching innings six & seven in resumption of the 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
HIGH WHEELERS DAY-BY-DAY DATE OPPONENT
5/21 RockyMountain 5/22-25 PPD---LIGHT ISSUES 5/26 (G1) Rocky Mountain
(G2) Rocky Mountain 5/28 GrandJunction 5/29 GrandJunction
TEAM GAME HIGHS
W/L SCORE TIME
W 10-7 3:30
L 7-10 2:40 1-1
Runs:
Runs Allowed Hits:
Errors:
Runs in inning:
19 5/28 10 5/26 21 5/28 3 5/21 9 5/28
vs. Grand Junction
vs. Rocky Mountain (Game One) vs. Grand Junction
vs. Rocky Mountain
vs. Grand Junction
INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE SINGLE GAME HIGHS
L 5-7 2:14 W 19-8 3:25 W 3-2 3:11
200 1-2 N/A 2-2 N/A 3-2
ATTENDANCE RECORD
N/A 1-0
(Eighth Inning)
Hits:
RBI's
Walks:
Runs
Reaching Base Safely 5X
4 6
Bobby Lada & Braylin Marine Bobby Lada
Tanner Smith & Angel Mendoza Braylin Marine
Brayline Marine & Sam Kuchinski
5/28 vs. Grand Junction
5/28 vs. Grand Junction
5/28 vs. GJ & 5/26 vs. RM (G2)
5/28 vs. Grand Junction 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
3 4
INDIVIDUAL PITCHING SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Innings: 4 Hits: 7 Strikeouts: 6 Walks 4 Earned Runs 5
Three Times Cameron Repetti JC Ariza
Two Times
Ben Ferrer
5/28 vs. Grand Junction
5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game Two)
5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game One)
STARTING GAMES BY POSITION
1B Gonzalez (2), Kuchinski (2), Minzy (1) 2B Lada (4), Banks (1)
3B Banks (2), Leslie (2), Blackford (1)
SS Marine (4), Lada (1)
LF Banks (2), Smith (2), Gonzalez (1) CF Skinner (5)
RF Guerra (2), Smith (2), Kirby (1)
DH Kuchinski (3), Marine (1), Smith (1)
STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Marine (3), Skinner (2)
2—Smith (3), Marine (2)
3—Minzy (2), Blackford (1), Marine (1), Smith (1) 4—Kuchinski (5)
5—Banks (2), Gonzalez (1), Lada (1), Smith (1)
6---Banks (1), Gonzalez (1), Minzy (1), Lada (1), Skinner (1) 7—Lada (3), Skinner (1), Mendoza (1)
8—Leslie (2), Banks (1), Kirby (1), Skinner (1)
9---Guerra (2), Mendoza (2), Gonzalez (1)