Doubleheader Sweep for Yolo
Game One 11-4 & Game Two 6-2 High Wheelers win
Game 2
Game 2
Rocky Mountain Vibes
0-0
2
Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
0-0
6
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 6 | 11 | 2 |
Davis, Ca.---The Yolo High Wheelers (21-21) swept a doubleheader from the Rocky Mountain Vibes (19-23) on Wednesday. They have won five-of-their-last-six games. Yolo won the nightcap 6-2 and the first game 11-4.
GAME TWO
Noah Lewis made his first start as a High Wheeler. He worked 4 2/3 innings, allowed six hits, one run (earned), walked one and struck out three. Kris Anglin (1-0) earned the win going the final 2 1/3 with a season-high with a personal season high four strikeouts.
The High Wheelers scored three times in the second. First baseman Eddie Niemann singled to lead off while right fielder Tanner Smith followed with a base hit. Three batters after Smith, center fielder Kyle Guerra singled in Niemann making it 1-0. Right after Guerra, second baseman Alex Epp picked up his first hit for Yolo--a two-run double down the left field side giving Yolo a 3-0 lead.
"I was just looking to hit it hard and put good wood on it," Epp said about his double. Epp through three games with Yolo has started at either second or third, "I only had played those positions in summer ball or my backyard," he said. Epp was a five-year shortstop at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
The other big hit in the game was a two-run homer by Niemann (1), it was his first as a pro, a two-out two-run clout in the fifth. About the homer, Niemann said, "it felt good, I've had some ups and downs lately, it felt good to get that one." Unfortunately for him he was unable to retrieve the ball.
Yolo manager Billy Horton said about the two newcomers (Epp and Niemann), "those were two huge two-out two-strike hits, they were great at-bats by our new guys."
Niemann and Epp joined the High Wheelers yesterday. Niemann made a great diving play to open the game at first base and Epp made a leaping catch on a line drive at second to end the contest. Bench coach and infield coordinator Gary Davenport said about each play, "both have been a nice surprise, they did a good job and have stepped up right away on both sides of the ball."
Lewis said about his performance, "I felt great. I didn't think about the heat." It was 107-degrees at the first pitch which was at 5:15.
GAME ONE
Yolo struck for eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth to erase a 4-3 deficit. The High Wheelers sent 13 to the plate. First baseman Braedon Blackford started the frame with a double to left. After a bunt single by the right fielder Smith, left fielder Justin Kirby singled to left scoring Blackford which tied the game. The first five High Wheelers reached base and took the lead for good when Niemann (who caught game one) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded giving Yolo a 5-4 advantage. Other run-producing hits in that inning were two-run singles by designated hitter Jose Gonzalez and Kirby in his second at-bat of that inning--a two-run sun-aided pop up single to left.
Yolo starter Dawson Lane struck out ten (most by any High Wheeler pitcher) over five innings. He allowed 12 hits (also a season-high for Yolo) but limited Rocky Mountain to four runs (all earned) in the no-decision. Noah Estrella (1-0) earned his first win of the year notching a scoreless sixth with one strikeout. Estrella kept the deficit at 4-3.
All High Wheelers in the starting lineup either reached base safely or had an RBI.
Horton on the big inning, "the guys did a great job hitting the ball hard and passing the stick doing it one by one."
The teams will meet again for a single game on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. PST. Right-hander Zach Ottinger will start for Rocky Mountain against Yolo righty Brandon McPherson.
HIGH TALES
Braylin Marine started each game at shortstop and reached base safely in both. He was 2-3 in game one with a walk, and two RBI's. In game two he delivered a fifth inning single. He's now reached base safely in 28 straight games.
Gonzalez with his two hits (double, single) and walk in game one has now been on base safely in 16 straight contests
It was Anglin's first win since July 28, 2022 when he was in the Florida Complex League with the Braves. It was a 5-1 win against the Twins
Yolo leads the season series 4-2