Two Seven Run Innings & A Yolo Victory

Colorado Springs, Co.---UCHealth Park is known for crazy games with an elevation of about 6,500.  And the first two innings lived up to that as each team within that span had a seven-run frame.  However, in the end the Yolo High Wheelers (31-28; 8-5) defeated the Rocky Mountain Vibes (27-32; 5-8) 12-8 on Tuesday night.  The High Wheelers are 2-2 on the 21-game road trip.

GAME NOTES PREVIEW - YOLO HIGH WHEELERS (30-28; 7-5) @ ROCKY MOUNTAIN VIBES (26-32; 5-7)

Pitching Matchup:
Yolo—LHP–Brandon Mitchell (3-1, 6.90) @ Rocky Mountain–LHP–Erik Johnson (0-0, 3.00)
Probables for Rocky Mountain (Wednesday-Saturday at 5:35 PM, Sunday is 12:05 PM)--ALL TIMES PST
7/31–Yolo—RHP—Ben Ferrer (5-3, 5.96) @ Rocky Mountain–LHP–Kelsey Ward (2-3, 8.39)
8/1–Yolo—RHP—Brendan Knoll (0-1, 0.75) @ Rocky Mountain–LHP–Nick Powers (1-3, 7.13)
8/2—Yolo–RHP–Cameron Repetti (5-2, 4.40) @ Rocky Mountain–RHP–Christian Day (4-4, 6.46)
8/3—Yolo—RHP–Brandon McPherson (2-0, 5.40) @ Rocky Mountain–RHP–Christian Lomeli (3-3, 5.88)
8/4—Yolo–LHP–Brandon Mitchell (3-1, 6.90) @ Rocky Mountain–LHP-Erik Johnson (0-0, 3.00)

TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHER–33–BRANDON MITCHELL (3-1, 6.90)

-makes 11th start/appearance, vs. Rocky Mountain is 1-0 in two starts, 9.00 ERA
-only Yolo complete game on July 12th vs. Rocky Mountain (five inning); earned first pro win June 15 @ NOCO
-four seasons at the University of New Orleans (22-15, 4.45 ERA); 11-3 in his senior season (last year)
-Elsik High School (Houston, Tx.) alum, played baseball, football, and tennis for the Rams
-First-Team All-District at Elsik; was a kicker in high school only for playoff games

Date Opponent IP H R ER BB K DEC SCORE
5/26 (G1) Rocky Mountain 3 5 4 4 4 2 ND 7-10
6/2 Grand Junction 4 3 3 3 5 3 ND 14-6
6/8 @Oakland 4 1⁄3 6 5 5 3 4 ND 11-6
6/15 @Northern Colorado 6 4 3 3 3 5 W 10-8
6/22 Oakland 4 4 5 4 2 4 L 6-9
6/29 '@Idaho Falls 4 1⁄3 8 3 3 2 0 ND 12-6
7/5 '@Oakland 7 6 3 3 1 5 W 8-4
7/12 Rocky Mountain 5 5 4 4 4 5 W 9-4 (CG)
7/18 Oakland 4 10 6 6 2 1 ND 10-10
7/24 Oakland 4 5 2 1 4 3 ND 6-7

HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS
2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 0-5; 5 K Hit Streak: No Games
-hitless in last 12 AB's; five strikeouts the other day, most by a Yolo hitter in one game
-two-run homer 7/21 vs. OAK in third put Yolo ahead for good, first homer at home
-first pro Grand Slam on 7/7 at OAK; HR in 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: 1-3; 2 BB; 2 R Hit Streak: One Game (1-3)
-snapped 0-10 slump the other day but has one hit in last 13 AB's (.077)
seven-game hit streak ended 7/20 vs. OAK, was 13-27 during stretch, .481
-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
-two homers on 6/30 at Idaho Falls (first two-HR game), was 12-25, 8 RBI's , 11 R in series @ IDH (,480)
-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: 3-5; HR; 2 RBI's; 2B; 2 R Hit Streak: Two Games (4-8)
-eighth three-hit game the other day including eighth HR; leads team with 26 steals
-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 (along with Lada 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: 1-4; HR; 2 RBI's Hit Streak: Two Games (3-7)
-had 14 hits over the last three series vs. Oakland; five games of at least three hits
-homer the other day was his tenth, seven-of-his-ten homers are vs. Ballers
-first four-hit game of season on 7/17, ninth homer; matched his season high of four RBI's
-first pro Grand Slam on 6/21 vs. OAK
-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
-spent 2023 with State College (MLB Draft League), in 46 games, .270, 5, 34, 3 SB

9 TRAVIS HOLT Last Game: DNP Hit Streak: No Games
-infielder signed 7/24 by High Wheelers, second year professional; hitless in first seven Yolo AB's
-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: DNP Hit Streak: No Games
-pinch hit double was first pro hit/first pro at-bat ignited three-run fifth inning rally on 7/25
-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: 0-5; 4 K Hit Streak: No Games
-five hits in last 28 AB's (.179); struck out four times the other day
-nine games of at least three hits; four four-hit games this season
-series at Idaho Falls (6/25-30): 11-27 (.407) with 13 RBI's
-seven RBI's on 6/29 at IDF; matches Brayland Skinner 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: Two Games (2-8)
-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: 3-5; 2 2B; R Hit Streak: Two Games (4-6)
-six game hitting streak (8-24, .333) came to end other night as did his 13-game on-base streak
-through 16 games has two six-game hitting streaks; other day was second three-hit game with Yolo
-six-game hit streak snapped on 7/16, was 10-21, .476; hits in 14-of-16 games (.400)
-had at least one RBI in his 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: 3-5; 2 R; HR; 2 RBI's Hit Streak: Two Games (4-9)
-homered in each of the last two games at Oakland; both two-run homers; has team-high 12
-three hits the other day give him eight such contests this year
-in three knockout rounds last week (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)
-three homers in series @OAK (6/4-9) and three more in series at Northern Colorado (6/11-16)
-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: 2-5; HR; 2 RBI's Hit Streak: One Game (2-5)
-hits in five-of-his-last six games (7-21, .333); belted fourth homer of year other day (solo)
-snapped 0-15 drought 7/10 in G1, 6th inning bunt single
-streak of reaching base in 16 straight games ended on 6/22 going 0-1 as PH
-nine-game hit streak (11-34, .324) snapped 6/18; hitless in first 15 AB's this year
-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; 2 K Hit Streak: No Games
-eight hits in last 79 AB's (.101); snapped 0-21 on 7/11 vs. RM with single
-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: DNP Hit Streak: No Games
-hitless in five at-bats in recent series at Oakland, walked three times on 7/26
-ended ten-game hitting streak (17-36, .472) on 7/26
--three walks other night match a team-high for most in one game
-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 (SERIES AT OAKLAND): (8 2⁄3 IP, 16 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 8 BB, 5 K, 12.46 ERA)
1 REED GARLAND Last Appearance: 7/27 @ Oakland (1 IP, H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB)
-allowed first two runs (one earned) in Yolo uniform pitching portions of 7th & 8th innings on 7.27
-righty joined High Wheelers 7/19 from Boise Hawks (Pioneer) 3-2, 7.20 in 12 games/seven starts
-won his last appearance with Boise on 7/14 vs. Glacier (line above)
-first year in professional baseball, attended Florence-Darlington Technical College (Florence, SC)
-pitched for Carolina Vipers of Southern Collegiate Baseball League in 2022
-also played for the Tri-City Chili Peppers (Colonial Heights, VA) of Coastal Plain League in 2024
-pitched at San Jacinto College–North Campus (Houston, TX); originally from Rock Hill, SC

17 JACK ZALASKY Last Appearance: 7/28 @ Oakland (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, K)
-tied for most wins on team (5-1) along with Repetti, Ferrer; ; six straight outings w/o allowing an earned run (1 IP apiece)
-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:
-right-hander signed today by the High Wheelers for his 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: 7/27 @ Oakland (3 1⁄3 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, BB, 2 K)
-suffered first loss/decision with High Wheelers on 7/24; nine runs allowed over last 5 1⁄3 innings–two outings
-in first start with High Wheelers (7/10 (G2) vs. Rocky Mountain--4 2⁄3 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 3 K)
-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
-preserved team's first shutout on 6/21 pitching eighth and ninth innings vs. Oakland
-went to spring training with the High Wheelers; pitched and played right field at Contra Costa Community College
-alum of Foothill HS in Pleasanton, California

24 ANDREW LaCOUR Last Appearance:
-UC Davis alum signed today for his 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
-graduate of Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, Ca. where he also played football

BULLPEN CONTINUED
25 TY BUCKNER Last Appearance: 7/25 vs. Oakland (1 IP, K, SV)
-finished four games vs. Oakland on last homestand; combined for three saves, four innings, six K's
-saved his last three appearances; seven saves leads team and second in Pioneer League
-first loss of the season on 7/11 vs. Rocky Mountain allowing two ninth inning runs
-notched team-high fourth save on 7/9 vs. Rocky Mountain
-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: 7/26 @ Oakland (1 IP, H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, WP, BK)
-scoreless ninth inning on 7/18 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: 7/27 @ Oakland (0 IP, Wild Pitch, HBP)
-ejected in last appearance in seventh inning after hitting Oakland's Brad Burckel
-three games vs. Oakland over last two weeks in Davis has allowed one run in 1 2/3 IP with two strikeouts
-three appearances vs. RM: 1-0; 4 1⁄3 shutout innings with six strikeouts; 11 K's in nine games since return from IL
-first win of season 7/10 (G2); 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: 7/28 @ Oakland (1 IP, H, 2 K)
-last four games total 4 2⁄3 shutout innings with four strikeouts
-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 Twice last: Bobby Lada 6/29 @ Idaho Falls
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 4X last: Justin Kirby 7/6 @ Oakland
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 7 Accomplished 4X last: JC Ariza 7/7 @ Oakland

STARTING GAMES BY POSITION
C Mendoza (37), Minzey (17), DeLaCruz (2), Niemann (2)
1B Gonzalez (18), Figueredo (15), Niemann (8), Blackford (7), Kuchinski (6), Minzy (4)
2B Lada (35), Banks (15), Marine (3), Epp (3), Guerra (2)
3B Blackford (25), Banks (22), Epp (4), Holt (2), Kuchinski (2), Leslie (2), Guerra (1)
SS Marine (44), Lada (13), Epp (1)
LF Gonzalez (20), Kirby (15), Smith (9), Banks (4), Blackford (4), Guerra (4), Glancy (1), Minzey (1)
CF Skinner (50), Guerra (7), Smith (1)
RF Smith (36), Kirby (11), Guerra (6), Gonzalez (4), Glancy (1)
DH Kuchinski (9), Blackford (8), Gonzalez (8), Marine (7), Figueredo (6), Lada (4), Skinner (4), Banks (3)
Niemann (3), Smith (3), Minzey (2), Kirby (1)

STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Skinner (50), Marine (8)
2—Marine (43), Lada (11), Smith (3), Figueredo (1)
3–Lada (32), Blackford (13), Gonzalez (5), Smith (3), Minzy (2), Banks (2), Kuchinski (1))
4-Gonzalez (38), Kuchinksi (10), Blackford (5), Figueredo (3), Niemann (2)
5-Figueredo (15), Blackford (12), Smith (6), Banks (5), Gonzalez (5), Niemann (5), Kuchinski (4), Lada (4), Figueredo (1), Minzey (1)
6-Smith (14), Blackford (12), Kirby (10). Niemann (4), Banks (3), Lada (3), Kuchinski (2), Marine (2), Minzey (2),
Epp (1), Figueredo (1), Glancy (1), Gonzalez (1), Guerra (1), Skinner (1)
7—Smith (17), Banks (15), Kirby (13), Lada (3), Minzey (3), Skinner (2), Blackford (1), DeLaCruz (1), Guerra (1), Mendoza (1), Niemann (1)
8—Banks (17), Guerra (10), Minzey (7), Smith (6), Epp (4), Kirby (4), Mendoza (3), Holt (2), Leslie (2), Blackford (1), Glancy (1), Skinner (1)
9–Mendoza (33), Minzey (9), Guerra (8), Epp (3), Banks (2), DeLaCruz (1), Gonzalez (1), Niemann (1)