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High Wheelers Edge Owlz in 8-7 Thrilling Finish

Guerra's "Sports Center worthy catch" saves games for Yolo

High Wheelers Edge Owlz in 8-7 Thrilling Finish
Video Box Score

The Yolo High Wheelers (8-9) scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings as they defeated the Northern Colorado Owlz (14-6) 8-7 on Wednesday night at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium.  

 
Yolo jumped out 2-0 in the second inning when third baseman Braedon Blackford (4) belted a two-run homer to left.  It was his fourth homer of this road trip.  The High Wheelers ballooned the advantage to 6-0 scoring four times in the fifth.  Catcher Mason Minzey plated the first run with an RBI single and with two out, shortstop Braylin Marine (2) launched a three-run homer to right-center.
 
However, in the bottom of the inning, Northern Colorado came back scoring six times.  Yolo starter Dawson Lane allowed a lead off single to Owlz first baseman Danny Perez.  A succession of walks including one with the bases loaded combined with an error and a sacrifice fly made it 6-2 Yolo.  That set the stage for left fielder Kevin Santiago who, with one out, blasted a Grand Slam to left field tying the game at six.
 
In the seventh, the High Wheelers retook the lead on a two-out homer to left by second baseman Bobby Lada (5) making it 7-6.  The next inning it was center fielder Brayland Skinner who provided insurance with an RBI infield single as then it was 8-6.
 
The Owlz made things interesting in the ninth when right fielder Dave Matthews hit an RBI double which squeezed the High Wheelers lead to 8-7 with two out.  While reliever Ty Buckner (2) secured the save one could argue it could have gone to Yolo right fielder Kyle Guerra who according to manager Billy Horton, "made a Sports Center worthy catch to save the game," when Northern Colorado left fielder Henry George lined out to end the contest.
 
Everybody in the Yolo starting lineup either had a hit or contributed by scoring a run.
 
Lane lasted 4 1/3 innings giving up seven hits, five runs (all earned).  He walked five and struck out five.  Jack Zalasky (2-0) earned the win with a perfect sixth inning.  Lost between Zalasky and Buckner was Connor Langrell with two shutout innings and two strikeouts.  Over Langrell's last eight games he's worked 9 1/3 innings allowing one run and notching eight strikeouts.  Yolo pitching coach Jerome Williams said about Langrell, "his curveball execution was on point."
 
Dalton Ross (0-1) who allowed the homer to Lada suffered the defeat. for Northern Colorado.
 
The series which is tied at one continues tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. PST.  Right-hander Brandon McPherson (1-0) will start for Yolo against Northern Colorado lefty Will Buraconak (2-1).
 
HIGH TALES
Designated hitter Kirkland Banks had his first four-hit game of the season.  He joins Lada, Jose Gonzalez and Braylin Marine who have accomplished that this season for Yolo
 
The High Wheelers have homered 22 times through eight games on this trip. Join us for Game 03 on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. PST.