Lada, High Wheelers Fall Short in KO
Yolo's First Knockout Round Decider, 3-2 final
Grand Junction Jackalopes
3-7
2
Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
4-4
2
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Davis, Ca.--- It was a first in the history of the Yolo High Wheelers (4-4) but unfortunately it was a loss as the Grand Junction Jackalopes (3-8) won the knockout round two homers to one on Saturday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium. Since Grand Junction was victorious in the home run challenge the visitors get credit for a team win while it's the opposite for Yolo. The game was 2-2 after nine innings.
It was 0-0 through six innings with the Jackalopes hitless. But in the seventh, they broke through with two runs. Catcher Austin Shoemaker led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. First baseman Conrad Villafuerte followed with the team's first hit--an RBI double to left. Designated hitter Damian Henderson immediately added to the lead with an RBI single making it 2-0.
Yolo was able to crack the safe with a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Kyle Guerra making it 2-1. The High Wheelers tied the game in the eighth. Shortstop Braylin Marine led off with a walk, he was sacrificed to second, and scored when designated hitter Sam Kuchinski reached on a ball he hit that went under the glove of Jackalopes third baseman Michael Bathauer which it made it 2-2.
Yolo starter JC Ariza pitched one inning but left due to a health-related matter. Ben Ferrer ate up the next four frames and didn't allow a hit or run. He struck out six. Yolo's Jack Zalasky gave up both runs in the seventh. Grand Junction starter Elijah Johnson struck out three in 6 2/3 innings and surrendered one run (earned).
After nine innings it went to the knockout round. It was the second this season for Grand Junction. Henderson homered twice for the Jackalopes while High Wheelers shortstop Bobby Lada homered once, thus giving the win to the Jackalopes. There were no winning or losing pitchers.
Yolo leads this series 3-2. The final game of this set is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on Sunday in Davis. Right-hander Josh Verdon (0-1) who started on Tuesday will start for the Jackalopes against High Wheelers left-hander Brandon Mitchell (0-0).
HIGH NOTES
Kuchinski's string of reaching base safely seven straight games came to an end
Ferrer's six strikeouts matched the most by a High Wheeler. Yolo pitchers struck out 11--a season-high
Left fielder Jose Gonzalez was 2-3 with a run scored. He has nine hits in 17 AB's over the five games in this series (.529)
Lada reached base safely two more times. He's accomplished that 13 times this series