Watch Yolo @ Grand Junction

YOLO HIGH WHEELERS (36-35; 13-12) @ GRAND JUNCTION JACKALOPES (28-44; 13-12)

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Pitching Matchup:
Yolo—RHP–Brendan Knoll (0-2, 2.35) vs. Grand Junction–LHP–Brandon Ross (4-2, 5.13)
Probables for Grand Junction (Friday, 5:35 P.M. Saturday, 3:00 P.M. Sunday, 10:35 A.M.)--ALL TIMES PST
8/16—Yolo–RHP—Cameron Repetti (5-3, 5.93) vs. Grand Junction–LHP–Evan Massie (4-3, 5.75)
8/17—Game One–Yolo–RHP–Brandon McPherson (4-1, 5.37) vs. Grand Junction–RHP–JC Ariza (1-4, 7.79)
Game Two—Yolo–RHP—Reed Garland (4-3, 5.53) vs. Grand Junction–LHP–Will Buraconak (1-3, 5.98)
8/18—Yolo–LHP–Brandon Mitchell (3-1, 7.89) vs. Grand Junction–RHP–Hunter Bryan (4-1, 7.38)

TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHER—38–RHP–BRENDAN KNOLL (0-2, 2.35)

-fifth start/appearance for Yolo; first vs. Grand Junction
-took no-hitter until two out in the sixth on 8/2 @ Rocky Mountain but suffered loss
-first High Wheeler to pitch as many as six shutout innings on 7/20 vs. Oakland in first Yolo start
-Last Win: June 6th against Florence Y'alls; season-high nine K's
-acquired July 19th in trade (PTBNL) from the Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League)
-with Schaumburg was 2-5, 5.43 in 11 games all as a starter; didn't play last season
-State College in 2022 (MLB Draft League) 2-4, 3.45, 15 games/13 starts
-attended Minnesota State University (NCAA-DII; Mankato, MN), three seasons with the Mavericks
-career record at Minnesota State was 16-4, 3.20
-has served as pitching coach at Century (Mn.) College where he also played (NCAA–DIII)
-originally from Kasson, Minnesota (Rochester area) pronounced CASS-on

YOLO STARTS IP H R ER BB K DEC SCORE
7/20 Oakland 6 5 0 0 2 2 ND 1-1 (lost 1-0 in KO)
7/26 @Oakland 6 10 6 2 1 1 L 0-13
8/2 @Rocky Mountain 5 2⁄3 2 4 4 4 3 L 2-9
8/8 @Northern Colorado 5 1⁄3 5 2 2 3 4 ND 2-2 (lost 3-2 in KO)

HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS
2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 2-5; R; 3 RBI's; SB Hit Streak: Three Games (5-11)
-finished 4-18 in series at NoCO, .222; two hits, three RBI's last night
-three hits 8/4 @ RM broke 2-25 drought; second game of at least three hits
-five strikeouts on 7/28 @ OAK, most by a Yolo hitter in one game
-first pro Grand Slam on 7/7 at OAK; HR in the last two games @ OAK 7/6-7
-five-of-seven HR's vs. OAK; first four-hit game of season on 6/12 @ NOCO
-Lamar University alum, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana; loves eating alligator
-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: DNP Hit Streak: No Games
-SECOND TEAM PIONEER LEAGUE ALL-STAR SHORTSTOP
-left game on 8/11 at NoCo before bottom of second with left finger issue
-eight-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday going 0-1, was 15-30 (.500) during stretch
-back-to-back three-hit games 8/4, 8/6; third three-hit game of Colorado slate
-eighth homer on 8/6; six extra base hits over his last six games
-three doubles on 8/4 @ RM; finished 9-18 in series at RM
-thirteen games of at least three hits this season (two three-hit games at RM)
-streak of 28 straight games reaching base safely came to an end 7/11 vs. RM; was 0-1 as pinch hitter
-inside park two-run homer on 7/2 vs. OAK; first inside park HR in Yolo history; five RBI's 7/6 @ OAK
-five hits 6/18 vs. OAK; first five-hit game in team history; five runs also tops on Yolo in one game
-pro career best six RBI's on 6/16 at NOCO; went 3-6; three-double in 9th
-five seasons at NCAA—Division II-- Newberry (SC) College; all-time SB leader with 100

5 BRAYLAND SKINNER Last Game: 0-5; 2 K Hit Streak: No Games
-eight-game hit streak (13-35, .371) came to end on 8/9; one hit in last 23 AB's (.043)
-solo homers on 8/7-8 in series at Northern Colorado
-homer on 8/7 at NoCO was first lead-off clout (led off game) in club history
-first four-hit game of the season on 8/3; ten games of at least three hits
-leads team with 32 steals which is third in the Pioneer League
-four stolen bases 7/7 @ Oakland; matching most for a High Wheeler (Lada 6/18 vs. OAK)
-first two homers on 6/8 @ OAK & 7 RBI's in game (with Lada/Smith most in one game)
-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

7 BRAEDON BLACKFORD Last Game: 1-2; 2B; RBI; 2 BB Hit Streak: Two Games (4-6)
-broke 4-33 (.121) drought with three hits on 8/11; 11th homer on 8/11 @ NoCo
-season high for him four runs scored this past Sunday (8/11) at NoCo
-seven-of-his-11 homers are vs. Oakland; first pro Grand Slam was 6/21 vs. Oakland
-first four-hit game of season on 7/17, ninth homer; matched his season high of four RBI's
-homered in three straight @ OAK; 6/5-7, all solo, first High Wheeler with HR's in three consecutive games
-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

9 TRAVIS HOLT Last Game: DNP Hit Streak: Two Games (2-6)
-infielder signed 7/24 by High Wheelers, second year professional; 3-26 with Yolo (.115)
-was hitless in first 14 Yolo AB's until his sixth inning RBI single on 8/4 @ RM
-joins Yolo from Billings (Pioneer); this year with the Mustangs, .244, 3, 18 in 22 games
-last season with the Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier), (.246, 1, 27)
-undergraduate career spent at High Point University (High Point, NC) (Big South–NCAA DI)
-fours as a starter at HPU hit .313, 8, 79; two time Big South All-Conference Selection
-graduate year was last year at Butler University (.309, 5, 21); Second Team All Big East
-went to American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida; three-year starter

10 DAVID GLANCY Last Game: 2-5; 2B; RBI Hit Streak: One Game (2-5)
-two hits on 7/31 at Rocky Mountain; first two-hit game as a pro; three hits in last 17 AB's (.176)
-pinch hit double was first pro hit/first pro at-bat ignited three-run fifth inning rally on 7/25 vs. OAK
-outfielder signed 7/24 by the High Wheelers, first professional contract
-spent graduate season this past college campaign at Notre Dame (.307, 15, 45, 4 SB)
-played entire undergraduate career with St. John's (NY) lifetime with Red Storm (.283, 29, 103)
-last summer was with the Wareham Gateman (.270, 3, 13) of the Cape Cod League
-graduate of Red Bank (NJ) High School played four years for the Caseys, won one conference title

11 BOBBY LADA (LUH-DAY) Last Game: 2-3; 2 HP; 3 R; SB Hit Streak: Two Games (3-8)
-nine hits in last 43 AB's (.209); three-run homer on 8/9 @ NoCo was tenth this season
-nine games of at least three hits; four four-hit games this season
-seven RBI's on 6/29 at IDF; matches Brayland Skinner/Tanner Smith for most in one game with Yolo
-reached base safely a team record six times on 6/18 vs. OAK along with four steals–tied for team-high in a game
- four hits (triple shy of the cycle) on 5/28 along with six RBI's vs. Grand Junction
-Grand Slam on 5/28 vs. GJ was first homer in Yolo history; last season played for West Virginia (MLBDL)
-two seasons for the University of Louisiana, and finished college career at NAIA William Carey

14 EDWIN DeLaCruz Last Game: DNP Hit Streak: No Games
-homered in first part of knockout round on 8/1 @ RM; three-game hit streak snapped on 8/2 @ RM
-two-run single in first inning ON 7/30 @ RM in seven-run first; first two-hit game as pro
-made pro debut on 7/24 vs. Oakland; started four-run third with lead off double
-catcher/first baseman signed 7/23 by the High Wheelers for his first professional contract
-four-year player at University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (NCAA-DI–Southwestern Athletic Conference)
-SWAC Hitter of the Year and First Team All-Conference
-this past season with the Golden Lions (.409, 2, 35); led SWAC in batting average in 2024
-lifetime average at UAPB was .324 with ten homers
-born in the Dominican Republic where he lived until he was three; grew up in Queens, New York

19 EDDIE NIEMANN Last Game: DNP Hit Streak: One Game (1-4)
-streak of reaching base in all of his starts ended at 15 on 8/2 at 15 going 0-3; had hits in 14 of the 15
-hits in 17-of-22 games overall
-six-game hitting streak (8-24, .333) came to end 7/26 @ OAK as did his 13-game on-base streak
-has two six-game hitting streaks; on 7/28 @ Oakland was second three-hit game with Yolo
-six-game hit streak snapped on 7/16, was 10-21, .476; had at least one RBI in first five games with High Wheelers
-first pro homer was G2 of doubleheader on 7/10 (two-run clout); both homers are against Rocky Mountain
-signed on 7/9; second year pro; Empire State Greys (Frontier League) last year
-main position is catcher but can play first base; alum of St. Leo University (St. Leo, Florida)
-final year at St. Leo was 2023, led the Lions with seven homers, and 39 RBI's; played there 2021-23
-hails from Scottsdale, Arizona (Pinnacle High School)

23 JOSE GONZALEZ Last Game: 2-3; HR; 2 RBI's; 2 R Hit Streak: Nine Games (14-33)
-six homers on trip (two at OAK, three at NoCo, one @ GJ; team-high 16 homers and 63 RBI's
-homered in last three games; matches Blackford for most consecutive games with HR
-eight three-hit games this season; currently on third hit streak of at least seven games
-in three knockout rounds (7/16-21) was 2-1; won 7/17-18 but lost on 7/20
-streak of 20 games reaching base safely & seven-game hit streak (10-23, .435) ended 7/16 vs. OAK
-Grand Slam vs. Rocky Mountain in ninth inning 7/14, first 'Slam of season & pro career
-hitting streak of 12 games ended on 7/4, was 22-50 over the dozen contests (.440)
-two homers 6/4 @ Oakland; first two homers of season; first Yolo player with two HR in a game
-amassed 33 homers in his Texas State University Bobcats career with a .290 average; played in 2022 NCAA Tourney

31 TANNER SMITH Last Game: 1-3; BB; R Hit Streak: Four Games (6-16)
-first multi-HR game on 8/11; two three-run homers, RBI 2B; pro best seven RBI's in one game
-has 14 RBI's on this trip, seven RBI's match Lada and Skinner for most in one game
-three homers in series at Northern Colorado, in series had nine RBI's
-streak of reaching base in 16 straight games ended on 6/22 going 0-1 as PH
-second professional season; last year with Tri-City (Frontier League) .289, 3, 23
-homered in back-to-back games at Oakland 6/7-8; first two homers of the season
-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)

35 ANGEL MENDOZA Last Game: 0-4 Hit Streak: No Games
-eleven hits in last 102 AB's (.108); hitless in last 17 AB's
-second homer on 6/28 @ Idaho Falls; solo in third inning; first pro HR was 6/4 @ OAK
-last year was with Trenton (MLB Draft League), .185, 0, 8 , hit homer against the Savannah Bananas
-Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of Year in 2023 at Union College (KY); third in league batting at .404
-established single season school record with 25 homers, and 27 hit by pitches (.404, 25, 53)
-won the Gold Glove as catcher for the conference; helped lead Bulldogs to the NAIA Playoffs

44 ALEJANDRO FIGUEREDO Last Game: 1-4; 2B; R; BB Hit Streak: Three Games (3-10)
-six hits in last 37 AB's (.162); has 13 walks on this road trip
-ended ten-game hitting streak (17-36, .472) on 7/26 @ Oakland
-has three hitting streaks this year of at least five games, includes time with Billings
-three RBI's on 7/24 vs. OAK are most for him with Yolo; had two four-RBI games with Billings
-activated from injured list 7/20, had been on IL starting 7/9 with ankle issue after doubling 7/6 @ OAK
-first baseman joined Yolo 6/19 from Billings (Pioneer League) .329, 3, 23, 21 games (Billings totals)
-hit first homer in a Yolo uniform 6/20 vs. OAK; has four overall this year between Yolo & Billings
-played at Billings last season (.287, 9, 38) for now Yolo manager Billy Horton
-originally from Sucre, Venezuela; three seasons at Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Florida
-overall had 41 homers in college, Florida Gulf Coast University is NCAA-DI (Atlantic Sun Conference)
-Third Team All-America & First Team All Conference in 2023 at FGCU–.361, 23, 71

HIGH WHEELERS BULLPEN (CURRENT SERIES): (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, K, 4.50 ERA)
17 JACK ZALASKY Last Appearance: 8/14 @ Grand Junction (2⁄3 IP, H)
-winning pitcher on 8/11 @ NoCo now 6-1
-string of 11 straight outings without allowing an earned run snapped on 8/11
-has only allowed one earned run in his last 13 2⁄3 innings (span of 13 games), 0.66 ERA
-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

21 ETHAN BATES Last Appearance: 8/10 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, H, R, ER, HR)
-four appearances on trip–totals (4 1⁄3 IP, 2 ER); first four pro games
-right-hander signed on 7/30 by the High Wheelers for first pro assignment
-CONFERENCE USA PLAYER OF THE YEAR/FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE in 2024
-led NCAA Division I in saves this past season with 17 for Louisiana Tech
-pitched last two seasons for the Bulldogs with a total of 27 saves
-accomplished 52 strikeouts in 44 2⁄3 innings this spring, .180 batting average against
-two-way player (various infield spots), .337, 15, 74 this year
-hit three homers in one game vs. New Mexico State (six RBI's) on May 4th
-John Olerud Semi-Finalist for Two-Way Player of the Year
-began college career with the University of Arkansas (one season)
-originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas

22 NOAH LEWIS Last Appearance: 8/11 @ Rocky Mountain (1⁄3 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, K)
-made first appearance since July 31st with outing on 8/11 @ NoCo
-his prior game was a starting role on July 31 at Rocky Mountain, a no-decision, 6-5 Vibes win
-both his starts have been against Rocky Mountain
-in first start with High Wheelers (7/10 (G2) vs. RM--4 2⁄3 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 3 K)
-suffered first loss/decision with High Wheelers on 7/24 vs. OAK
-preserved team's first shutout on 6/21 pitching eighth and ninth innings vs. Oakland
-first game with Yolo was June 13th vs. Northern Colorado
-signed by Yolo on June 11; began the year in the Pecos League with Marysville Drakes
-three games with Marysville as a starter, was 1-1, 3.30
-went to spring training with High Wheelers; pitched and played RF at Contra Costa Community College
-alum of Foothill HS in Pleasanton, California

24 ANDREW LaCOUR Last Appearance: 8/14 @ Grand Junction (1⁄3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, K)
-first pro loss on 8/6 @ NOCO surrendering eighth inning run; five K's over first four outings
-UC Davis alum signed 7/30 for first professional contract; first UCD alum to join Yolo
-LHP played four seasons with the Aggies (lifetime college record, 0-4, 7.25 in 60 games)
-this past season was 0-0, 5.12 in 19 games (all relief)
-native of Ichinomia City, Aichi, Japan, is fluent in English & Japanese
-spent the last few months studying to be a broker
-graduate of Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, Ca. where he also played football

BULLPEN CONTINUED
25 TY BUCKNER Last Appearance: 8/11 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 K, HR)
-notched eighth and team-high save on 8/7 @ NoCo with scoreless ninth; second in league in saves
-blew four-run lead in ninth on 8/1 @ Rocky Mountain; team won in knockout round
-finished four games vs. Oakland on last homestand; combined for three saves, four innings, six K's
-first loss of the season on 7/11 vs. Rocky Mountain allowing two ninth inning runs
-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 Achilles injury & Tommy John Surgery

28 JIMMY LEWIS Last Appearance: 8/10 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, K)
-only outing of series at NoCo on 8/10; three games on Colorado swing (0-1, 4 IP, 8 H, 8 R/7 ER, 3 K, 15.75 ERA)
-struggled in series @ RM in two outings (0-1, 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER 2 K, 15.00 ERA), lost on 7/31
-scoreless ninth inning on 7/18 vs. OAK keeping deficit at five runs allowing for game-tying comeback
-made Yolo debut on 7/14 vs. Rocky Mountain, allowed three runs in sixth inning
-right-hander signed by Yolo on July 11; originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers; second round, 2019
-highest level was Low-A Rancho Cucamonga (California League); spent 2021-23 in Dodgers chain
-last season was at the Dodgers Arizona Complex League in Glendale, 1-1 in 11 relief outings, 6.14
-native of Jacksonville, Florida, went to Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas
-lived in Jacksonville for his first nine years, also lived a few years in Danville, California

32 KRIS ANGLIN Last Appearance: 8/11 @ Northern Colorado (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, K)
–has 15 K's in 13 games since return from IL; ejected on 7/27 @ OAK in seventh inning after hitting Brad Burckel
-first win of season 7/10 (G2) vs. RM season-high 4 K's; first win since 7/28/22 while w/Braves Florida Complex team
-return to action on 7/6 @ OAK, pitched perfect sixth with three strikeouts
-was on injured list from 6/18 through 7/4; removed from IL on 7/5; Frontier High alum from Bakersfield
-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

34 CONNOR LANGRELL Last Appearance: 8/14 @ Grand Junction (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, K)
-string of ten straight games without allowing a run came to an end last night giving up ninth inning run
-last 11 games total 11 shutout innings with 14 strikeouts
-picked up fourth save of the season on 7/30 @ OAK; was first save since July 6th @ Oakland
-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); much of youth spent in Las Vegas
-attended in high school in Clovis, New Mexico; moved around a lot as a kid as father was in the newspaper business

TEAM GAME HIGHS
Runs: 19 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Runs Allowed 19 7/14 vs. Rocky Mountain
Hits: 21 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Hits Allowed: 17 3X last 7/27 @ Oakland
Home Runs 5 6/8 @ Oakland
Errors: 4 7/27 @ 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 5 Braylin Marine 6/18 vs. Oakland
RBI's 7 Accomplished 3X last: Tanner Smith 8/11 @ Northern Colorado
Walks 3 Multiple Times last: Alejandro Figueredo 7/26 @ Oakland
Runs 5 Braylin Marine/Bobby Lada 6/18 vs. Oakland
Reaching Safely 6X Bobby Lada 6/18 vs. Oakland
Home Runs 2 Accomplished 5X last: Tanner Smith 8/11 @ Northern Colorado
Stolen Bases 4 Accomplished 2X last: Brayland Skinner 7/7 @ Oakland
INDIVIDUAL PITCHING SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Innings 8 Brandon McPherson 7/23 vs. Oakland
Hits 12 Dawson Lane 7/10 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game One)
Strikeouts 10 Accomplished 2X last: 7/13 Ben Ferrer vs. Rocky Mountain
Walks 6 Brandon McPherson 6/20 vs. Oakland
Earned Runs 8 Accomplished 2X last: Cameron Repetti 8/9 @ Northern Colorado

STARTING GAMES BY POSITION
C Mendoza (46), Minzey (17), DeLaCruz (6), Niemann (2)
1B Gonzalez (21), Figueredo(20), Blackford (11), Niemann (9), Kuchinski (6), Minzy (4)
2B Lada (39), Banks (20), Marine (7), Epp (3), Guerra (2)
3B Blackford (29), Banks (27), Holt (6), Epp (4), Kuchinski (2), Leslie (2), Guerra (1)
SS Marine (50), Lada (20), Epp (1)
LF Gonzalez (28), Kirby (15), Smith (10), Glancy (5), Banks (4), Blackford (4), Guerra (4), Minzey (1)
CF Skinner (63), Guerra (7), Smith (1)
RF Smith (46), Kirby (11), Guerra (6), Glancy (4), Gonzalez (4)
DH Blackford (11), Figueredo (10), Gonzalez (10), Kuchinski (9), Marine (7), Niemann (7) Lada (4)
Skinner (4), Banks (3), Smith (3), Minzey (2), Kirby (1)

STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Skinner (63), Marine (8)
2—Marine (53), Lada (12), Smith (5), Figueredo (1)
3–Lada (38), Blackford (17), Gonzalez (6), Smith (3), Minzy (2), Banks (2), Figueredo (2), Kuchinski (1)
4-Gonzalez (50), Kuchinksi (10), Blackford (5), Figueredo (4), Niemann (2)
5-Figueredo (20), Blackford (14), Lada (7), Niemann (7), Smith (7), Banks (5), Gonzalez (5), Kuchinski (4), Figueredo (1), Minzey (1)
6-Smith (18), Blackford (15), Kirby (10). Niemann (6), Lada (4), Banks (3), Glancy (3), Figueredo (2), Kuchinski (2), Marine (2),
Minzey (2), Epp (1), Gonzalez (1), Guerra (1), Skinner (1)
7—Banks (21), Smith (20), Kirby (13), Blackford (3), Lada (3), Minzey (3), Niemann (2), Skinner (2), DeLaCruz (1), Glancy (1), Guerra (1), Mendoza (1)
8—Banks (21), Guerra (10), Minzey (7), Smith (7), Holt (5), Epp (4), Glancy (4), Kirby (4), Mendoza (3), DeLaCruz (2), Leslie (2), Blackford (1), Skinner (1)
9–Mendoza (42), Minzey (9), Guerra (8), DeLaCruz (3), Epp (3), Banks (2), Glancy (1), Gonzalez (1), Holt (1), Niemann (1)

Written by Yolo Play-by-Play commentator Doug Greenwald