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Series evened with 4-1 Ballers win

Series evened with 4-1 Ballers win

Oakland, Ca.---The Oakland Ballers (8-6) evened its series against the Yolo High Wheelers (6-5) with a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night at Raimondi Park.

 
Neither team scored through three innings.  In the fourth, Oakland came through with the first run.  The Ballers had runners at second and third with one out and left fielder Trevor Halsema grounded to shortstop scoring center fielder Payton Harden making it 1-0.  The home team made it 2-0 in the fifth inning on a wild pitch.
 
In the sixth, Yolo tightened matters on a homer by third baseman Braedon Blackford (1) which made it 2-1 Oakland.  
 
It stayed that score until the bottom of the eighth when Jack Zalasky came on to pitch for Yolo.  Ballers shortstop Myles Jefferson singled with one out.  Two batters later it was Halsema (3) who dealt the biggest blow with a two-out two-run homer to left making it 4-1 Oakland.
 
Ballers starter Aaron Eden (2-1) earned the win.  The starter allowed one run (earned), struck out four in 5 1/3 innings.  It was a tough luck loss for Yolo starter Dawson Lane (0-1).  He fanned nine which was the most by a High Wheelers pitcher this year.  The lefty surrendered two runs (both earned) in five innings.  
 
Yolo pitching coach Jerome Williams said about Lane, "he pitched a pretty good game, and had his split, slider, and fastball working."  Williams added, "he got hurt with a couple of pitches up in the zone but overall limited damage to only two runs."
 
Carson Lambert (2) pitched a perfect ninth for Oakland, thus earning the save.  He struck out two.
 
Game three of this six-game series in Oakland will be Thursday night at 6:35.  Yolo left-hander Brandon McPherson (1-0) will get the start against Oakland righty Kelsie Whitmore (0-0) who will be the first female starting pitcher in Pioneer League history.
 
HIGH TALES
Yolo second baseman Bobby Lada walked in the first inning which extended his on-base streak to a season-opening 11 games
 
First baseman Jose Gonzalez was hitless in three at-bats despite drawing a walk.  He had his seven-game hitting streak halted
 
 

 
GAME NOTES - PREVIEW
 

Pitching Matchup:
Yolo–LHP–Dawson Lane (0-0, 0.00) vs. Oakland-RHP–Aaron Eden (1-1)
Probables for Oakland: Wednesday-Friday are 6:35 p.m. & Saturday-Sunday are 1:05 p.m.
6/6-Yolo—LHP—Brandon McPherson (1-0, 1.50) @ Oakland—RHP—Kelsie Whitmore (0-0, 21.21)
6/7--Yolo—RHP—Shaun Gamelin (0-0, 7.20) @ Oakland--RHP—Christian Cosby (1-1, 11.57)
6/8--Yolo—LHP–Brandon Mitchell (0-0, 9.00) @ Oakland—RHP—Carson Lambert (0-1, 10.32)
6/9--Yolo—TBA @ Oakland--RHP–Elijah Pleasants (1-0, 5.59)

TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHER—36–LHP–DAWSON LANE (0-0, 0.00)

-third year professional makes his second start/appearance of the season (game log below)
-first year in Pioneer League, spent 2023 with New York Boulders of the Frontier League (6-4, 5.07)
-2022 was in the United Shore Baseball League (pro ball) with Westside Wooly Mammoths (Utica, Mi.)
-originally from Lakeland, Florida and is a graduate of Lakeland High School
-played two seasons at NAIA Montreat College & three years at Florida Southern College (NCAA-DII)
-at FSC was twice the winner of the Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Week
-head coach at FSC was former San Francisco Giants infielder Lance Niekro
-Niekro and Yolo pitching coach Jerome Williams were teammates with the Giants

GAME LOG
DATE OPP IP H R ER BB K DEC SCORE
5/29 GJ 4 6 0 0 4 3 ND 3-2

HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS


2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 2-4 R; RBI Hitting Streak: Two Games (3-8)
-Lamar University alum, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana; loves eating alligator
-three hits in last 15 AB's (.200)
-season opening five-game hit streak came to an end 5/29 (5-20, .250)
-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: 0-4; HP Hitting Streak: No Games
-finished last series 10-22 (.455), all ten hits were singles; scored four runs on 5/28 vs. GJ
-reached base safely 15 times over his five games vs. GJ (five walks/ten singles)
-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: 1-3; 2 BB; R Hitting Streak: Two Games (4-7)
-snapped 0-9 was three hits on 6/2, four runs scored matched the most by a High Wheeler in a game
-Memphis area native (Southaven, Mississippi) enters first year of professional baseball
-five-game season opening hitting streak ended 5/29, had 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: 0-2; 3 BB; R Hitting Streak: No Games
-walked three times last night matching the most by a High Wheeler in one game
-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: DNP Hitting Streak: No Games -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: 1-5; R Hitting Streak: Five Games (7-19)
-completed Grand Junction series with two homers (Grand Slam) and 12 RBI's; was 10-21 (.476)
-reached base safely in all ten games this season; extended hit streak to five games last night
-12 of 14 RBI's came in series vs. Grand Junction with eight hits in 16 AB's (.500)
-had four hits (triple shy of the cycle) on 5/28 along with six RBI's vs. Grand Junction
-eighth inning Grand Slam on 5/28 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 (1-2)
-took part in five-run first inning on 6/2 with two-run single vs. Grand Junction
-outfielder signed on May 28th for his first pro contract; two hits on 5/28 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, Ga.
-was Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Kent State in 2019 (.313, 9, 30)


18 SAM KUCHINSKI Last Game: 2-4; HR; BB; 2 R; RBI Hitting Streak: One Game (2-4)
-gave High Wheelers the lead for good in fifth last night with first pro HR
-streak of reaching base safely in seven straight games ended on 6/1 vs. Grand Junction
-four-game season-opening hitting streak snapped 5/29., was 8-14, .571 over stretch
-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: 2-5; 2 HR; 2 R; 4 RBI's Hitting Streak: Seven Games (15-27) -first
-two homers of pro career last night; four RBI's overall, first Yolo player with two-homer game
-extended hitting streak to seven games (15-27, .556)
-reached base safely 19 times over last series vs. Grand Junction & 21 in last seven games
-four hits on 6/2 (all singles), completed a 13-22 six-game set (.591) with seven RBI's
-had games of three hits, four hits, and two three-RBI performances in series
-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: 0-4; BB Hitting Streak: No Games (hitless in last 7 AB's)
-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 in first game of this series on 5/28
-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: 1-5; R Hitting Streak: Four Games (4-16)
-smacked first pro homer last night leading off the seventh
-first pro season, last year was with Trenton (MLB Draft League), .185, 0, 8
-Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 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: DNP 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 (TOTALS IN LAST SEVEN GAMES): (33 IP/37 K)
10 NOAH ESTRELLA Last Appearance: 6/4 @ Oakland (1 IP, H, R, ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
-losing pitcher/blown save on 5/31 vs. Grand Junction after allowing two-run homer in the top of the eighth
-pitched two seasons at New Mexico State (39 games overall with Aggies, was 5-3); appeared in 2022 NCAA
-last two seasons with Pulaski in the Appalachian League (MLB Draft), combined 2-1 in 15 games
-father Erick was his high school coach at Flowing Hills in Tucson


15 BEN FERRER Last Appearance: 6/1 vs. Grand Junction (4 IP, 2 BB, 6 K)
-long relief on 6/1 with four shutout frames, six strikeouts; six K's tied for most in one game for Yolo
-earned his first win of season on 5/29 vs. Grand Junction with two shutout frames (fifth and sixth innings)
-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 college career with two seasons at Oregon State ; overall college totals; 14-5, 3.43; originally from Alpharetta, Georgia


17 JACK ZALASKY Last Appearance: 6/4 @ Oakland (1 IP, 3 K)
-struck out side on ten pitches last night in seventh inning
-earned his first pro win on 5/28 vs. GJ; recorded final out in opener (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
-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: 6/1 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, K)
-finished three games in series vs. GJ (3 IP, 0 R, 3 K); notched first pro save on 5/30
-spent three years pitching for Missouri State and one with Gonzaga (college career 8-9, 5.32)
-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: 5/31 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, 3 H)
-made Yolo debut on 5/28 with 2/3 of shutout relief, followed that with SHO inning on 5/31 vs. GJ
-second year pro but is in first Pioneer League season
-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: 6/2 vs. Grand Junction (1 IP, R, ER, 3 BB, K)
-worked three straight games from (5/26 (G2)—5/29) (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
-didn't pitch competitively after spring training last season, spent 2023 working out and pitching on side
-Bakersfield native who attended Frontier High School


34 CONNOR LANGRELL Last Appearance: 6/4 @ Oakland (1 IP, 2 K)
-notched first pro save with a perfect ninth inning on 5/29 vs. GJ; last four games (5 IP, 0 H, 5 K)
-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 Tampa area


47 JACOB STOBART Last Appearance: 6/2 vs. Grand Junction (3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, W)
-picked up second win of the season this past Sunday with three innings of middle relief, now 2-0
-earned first win in team history pitching innings six & seven in resumption of 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

TEAM GAME HIGHS
Runs: 19 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Runs Allowed 10 5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game One)
Hits: 21 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Errors: 3 5/21 vs. Rocky Mountain
Runs in inning: 9 5/28 vs. Grand Junction (Eighth Inning)
Strikeouts for Pitchers: 14 6/4 @ Oakland


INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Hits: 4 Accomplished several times
RBI's 6 Bobby Lada 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Walks: 3 Accomplished several times
Runs 4 Accomplished several times
Reaching Base Safely 5X Accomplished several times
Home Runs 2 Jose Gonzalez 6/4 @ Oakland

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING SINGLE GAME HIGHS
Innings: 6 Accomplished several times
Hits: 7 Cameron Repetti 5/28 vs. Grand Junction
Strikeouts: 7 Cameron Repetti 6/4 @ Oakland
Walks 4 Accomplished multiple times
Earned Runs 5 Ben Ferrer 5/26 vs. Rocky Mountain (Game One)


STARTING GAMES BY POSITION
1B Gonzalez (4), Kuchinski (3), Minzy (2), Blackford (1)
2B Lada (7), Banks (3)
3B Banks (3), Blackford (3), Kuchinski (2), Leslie (2),
SS Marine (8), Lada (2)
LF Smith (4), Gonzalez (3), Banks (2), Kirby (1)
CF Skinner (9), Guerra (1)
RF Smith (4), Guerra (3), Kirby (3)
DH Kuchinski (4), Banks (1), Blackford (1), Gonzalez (1), Lada (1), Marine (1), Smith (1)


STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Skinner (6), Marine (4)
2—Marine (5), Smith (3), Lada (2)
3–Lada (3), Minzy (2), Smith (2), Blackford (1), Gonzalez (1), Marine (1)
4-Kuchinksi (8), Gonzalez (2)
5—Gonzalez (3), Banks (2), Blackford (1), Kuchinksi (1), Lada (1), Minzey (1), Smith (1)
6---Blackford (3), Banks (1), Gonzalez (1), Kirby (1), Lada (1), Minzy (1), Skinner (1), Smith (1)
7—Lada (3), Banks (2), Smith (2), Skinner (1), Mendoza (1), Minzy (1)
8—Banks (3), Kirby (3), Leslie (2), Guerra (1), Skinner (1)
9–Mendoza (6), Guerra (3), Gonzalez (1)