Winners are Wheelers, Yolo lead series 2-0

Game Summary: Yolo High Wheelers vs. Grand Junction Jackalopes

Davis, CA — The Yolo High Wheelers (3-2), following a high-scoring game the previous day, managed to secure a 3-2 victory over the Grand Junction Jackalopes (1-6) on Wednesday at Dobbins Stadium, taking the first two games of the series.

Left-hander Dawson Lane made his Yolo debut, pitching four shutout innings despite allowing four walks and six hits, stranding eight Jackalopes.

The High Wheelers scored their first run in the second inning without a hit. Sam Kuchinski, Tanner Smith, and Jose Gonzalez walked, followed by Bobby Lada being hit by a pitch, bringing in a run. In the fourth, a sacrifice fly by Brayland Skinner and an infield RBI single by Braylin Marine extended the lead to 3-0.

In both games of the series, every High Wheeler in the starting lineup has reached base safely.

Grand Junction closed the gap to 3-2 with a two-run homer by Matt Turner in the seventh, but Yolo pitching retired the last eight batters to secure the win.

Ben Ferrer (1-1) earned the win with scoreless fifth and sixth innings. Noah Estrella delivered a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout in his pro debut, setting up Connor Langrell (1) for his first professional save with a three-up, three-down ninth.

The teams meet again on Thursday afternoon in Davis with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch. Right-hander Frank Racioppo (0-0) will get his second start of the season for Grand Junction. He will oppose Yolo righty Brandon McPherson, who will make his first appearance of 2024.

New Rule Experimented

For the first time, the High Wheelers experimented with a new Pioneer League rule allowing a player who is pinch-hit for to stay in the game. In the seventh inning, with bases loaded, Braedon Blackford batted for right fielder Kyle Guerra. Guerra was allowed to stay in after that inning and returned to right field in the eighth. However, the pinch hitter cannot be used again in any capacity.