High Wheelers finish strong in series
Grand Junction Jackalopes
(3-7, 4-4)
6
Yolo High Wheelers
14
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grand Junction Jackalopes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
|
Yolo High Wheelers | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | 14 | 17 | 0 |
Davis, Ca.---The Yolo High Wheelers (5-4) broke the game open with three runs in the first and five in the second as they cruised to a 14-6 win over the Grand Junction Jackalopes (3-9) on Sunday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium. Yolo took the series, winning four of six. Despite Grand Junction scoring a run in the first, it was all Yolo from there.
All nine in the Yolo lineup had at least a hit while the team had 17. It was the second time in the series where all the starters accomplished at least a hit. In the first, center fielder Brayland Skinner led off with a walk. Shortstop Braylin Marine followed with a single. After second baseman Bobby Lada hit into a force, designated hitter Jose Gonzalez delivered a two-run single to left which made it 2-0. Right fielder Tanner Smith also contributed with an RBI single.
In the second, Yolo sent ten to the plate. Catcher Angel Mendoza started matters with a single. Skinner added a double and Marine an RBI single. After Lada was hit with a pitch, Gonzalez tacked on his third RBI with a single. First baseman Braedon Blackford chipped in with a sacrifice fly and left fielder Justin Kirby capped the scoring with a two run single making it 8-2.
"Our offense was excellent today in all facets of the game," said Yolo manager Billy Horton. "I challenged them to focus on doing a better job with runners in scoring position and they responded in an excellent way," he added.
Gonzalez finished the series 13-22 (.591) with a pair of three-hit and three-RBI performances and reached base safely 19 times. Lada had two homers and 12 RBI's over the six games while Marine had ten hits (all singles).
Yolo starter Brandon Mitchell worked four innings. He gave up three hits, three runs (all earned), walked five and fanned three. The second High Wheelers pitcher Jacob Stobart (2-0) picked up his second win of the series. He allowed two runs (both earned) in three innings while striking out one.
Grand Junction starter Josh Verdon (0-2) for the second straight start in this set didn't get past three innings. In both defeats he combined to allow 17 runs (all earned) in 3 2/3 innings.
The High Wheelers have Monday off and will play their first-ever road game starting Tuesday at Raimondi Park in Oakland against the Ballers with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Right-hander Cameron Repetti (0-0) will start for Yolo against Oakland right-hander Derrick Cherry (1-0).
HIGH NOTES
The winning pitcher on Friday for Grand Junction was Zach Martinez. His first name was erroneously reported as Eric. Apologies to Zach.
JC Ariza who was the starting pitcher on Saturday for Yolo and lasted one inning came out due to bicep tightness. According to Ariza he felt OK before today's game and expects to make his next start Saturday in Oakland.