Watch & Listen to Ballers @ Yolo

Watch the game live on FloSports

Listen to the Audio Only Commentary on YouTube LIVE

OAKLAND BALLERS (29-26; 2-5) @ YOLO HIGH WHEELERS (28-25; 5-2)

Pitching Matchup:
Oakland–LHP–Reed Butz (0-0, 6.75) @ Yolo–LHP–Brandon Mitchell (3-1, 7.13)
Probables for Oakland (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)
7/25–Oakland–RHP–Zach St. Pierre (2-2, 6.21) @ Yolo–RHP–Ben Ferrer (4-3, 6.80)

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHER–33–LHP–BRANDON MITCHELL (3-1, 7.13)

-makes tenth start/appearance; vs. Oakland in four starts is 1-1, 8.38, 14 K's
-has only Yolo complete game on July 12th vs. Rocky Mountain (five inning CG) when RM left field after five innings
-earned first professional win June 15 @ Northern Colorado
-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
*Yolo won knockout round 1-0

HIGH WHEELERS POSITION PLAYERS
2 KIRKLAND BANKS Last Game: 2-4; RBI; BB Hit Streak: Two Games (4-8)
-missed series vs. RM due to illness (7/9-14); 7-24 (.292) current homestand vs. OAK
-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: 1-4; 2B; 2 RBI's Hit Streak: Two Games (2-8)
-seven-game hit streak ended 7/20 vs. OAK, was 13-27 during stretch, .481
-hit safely in 15-of-last-17 games (24-61, .393)
-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 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU) Last Game: 0-3; BB; R Hit Streak: No Games
-one hit in last 15 AB's (.067); three hits on 7/16 (all singles); seventh three-hit game
-leads team with 25 steals -seven-game hit streak snapped on 7/12 vs. RM; was 11-31 (.355)
-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: 2-4; RBI Hit Streak: Four Games (6-15)
-first four-hit game of season on 7/17, ninth homer; matched his season high of four RBI's
-six-of-nine homers are against Oakland; first pro Grand Slam on 6/21 vs. OAK
-five games of at least three hits this year; 20-49 on homestand (.408) two homers, seven RBI's
-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: Hit Streak:
-infielder signed today by the High Wheelers, second year professional
-last season was 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: Hit Streak:
-outfielder signed today by the High Wheelers, signs his first professional contract
-spent his 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: 0-4 Hit Streak: No Games
-six-game hit streak (11-23, .478) snapped 7/20 as PH; hitless in last ten AB's
-eight 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: Hit Streak:
-catcher/first baseman signed yesterday 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
-originally from Queens, New York

19 EDDIE NIEMANN Last Game: DNP Hit Streak: Four Games (5-15)
-five hits in series last week vs. OAK (all singles); reached base safely in all 11 games with Yolo
-six-game hit streak snapped on 7/16, was 10-21, .476; first three-hit game with Yolo on 7/14 vs. RM
-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); second homer on 7/13 in sixth inning
-through 11 games has been HBP four times including w/bases loaded in G1 on 7/10; game-deciding RBI
-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: 1-4 Hit Streak: One Game (1-4)
-in three knockout rounds last week 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
-seven games of at least three hits
-hitting streak of 12 games ended on 7/4, was 22-50 over the dozen contests (.440)
-four hits on 6/25 @ Idaho Falls; other four-hit game was June 2; 12-26 at Idaho Falls (.462)
-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: 2-4; 2B; 2 R Hit Streak: Two Games (3-7)
-started both run-producing rallies yesterday, each with two outs
-four hits in last 19 AB's (.211); snapped 0-15 drought 7/10 in G1, 6th inning bunt single
-broke game open 7/5 @ OAK with three-run double in 8th (most RBI's for him in a game this year)
-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: 1-3; 2B; 2 RBI's Hit Streak: One Game (1-3)
-got High Wheelers on the board yesterday with two-out two-run double in second
-eight hits in last 73 AB's (.110); 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: 1-4 Hit Streak: Eight Games (13-29)
-extended hitting streak to season-long eight games with fifth inning single yesterday
-third hit streak this year of at least five games; had three hits on 7/21 vs. Oakland
-activated from injured list 7/20, had been on IL starting 7/9 with ankle issue after doubling 7/6 @ OAK
-hitting streaks of five & six games this season, two four-RBI games this year with Billings
-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 (CURRENT SERIES): (1 IP, BB, 2 K, SV, 0.00)
1 REED GARLAND Last Appearance: 7/21 vs. Oakland (1 IP, 2 H)
-first appearance with Yolo was 7/21, maintained 4-2 lead with scoreless eighth inning
-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: 7/20 vs. Oakland (1 IP, 2 K)
-tied for most wins on team (5-1) along with Cameron Repetti; four SHO innings over last four games
-was 2-0 in series at IDF with two shutout frames; fourth win of the year on 6/29
-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 JC ARIZA Last Appearance: 7/18 vs. Oakland (3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, K)
-has floated between the rotation/bullpen (11 games/five starts)
-last start: July 14th vs. Rocky Mountain, suffered loss, lasted three innings gave up five runs in first (one earned)
-was on injured list for ten days due to biceps issues after being hit by line drive 6/9 @ Oakland
-alum of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 3-9 over three seasons for Vaqueros
-grew up in Belleville, New Jersey and went to Seton Hall Prep; first generation American
-mother was born in Cuba and father is native to Colombia

22 NOAH LEWIS Last Appearance: 7/17 vs. Oakland (1 1⁄3 IP, H, R, ER, BB)
-one appearance vs. Oakland last week (line above)
-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

25 TY BUCKNER Last Appearance: 7/23 vs. Oakland (1 IP, BB, 2 K, SV)
-finished three games vs. Oakland on homestand; combined for two saves, three innings, five K's
-saved each of last two games; six saves on the year is tied for most in the 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: 7/18 vs. Oakland (1 IP, K)
-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

BULLPEN CONTINUED
32 KRIS ANGLIN Last Appearance: 7/20 vs. Oakland (1⁄3 IP, H, R, ER, BB, K)
-two games vs. Oakland last week; allowed one run in 1 1⁄3 with two strikeouts
-three appearances vs. RM: 1-0; 4 1⁄3 shutout innings with six strikeouts; 11 K's in seven 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: 7/20 vs. Oakland (1 2⁄3 IP, 2 K)
-series last week vs. Oakland, 2 2⁄3 shutout innings with two strikeouts
-third save of the season on 7/6 @ OAK with perfect ninth inning; first win of season 6/16 @ NOCO with 1 2⁄3 shutout effort
-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 7/6 @ Oakland & 7/14 vs. Rocky Mountain
Home Runs 5 6/8 @ Oakland
Errors: 4 7/18 vs. 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: Jose Gonzalez 7/17 vs. 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 (34), Minzey (17), Niemann (2)
1B Gonzalez (18), Figueredo (12), Niemann (7), Blackford (6), Kuchinski (6), Minzy (4)
2B Lada (32), Banks (13), Marine (3), Epp (3), Guerra (2)
3B Blackford (24), Banks (20), Epp (4), Kuchinski (2), Leslie (2), Guerra (1)
SS Marine (40), Lada (12), Epp (1)
LF Gonzalez (17), Kirby (15), Smith (9), Banks (4), Guerra (4), Blackford (3), Minzey (1)
CF Skinner (46), Guerra (7)
RF Smith (33), Kirby (11), Guerra (6), Gonzalez (3)
DH Kuchinski (9), Gonzalez (8), Blackford (7), Marine (6), Figueredo (5), Lada (4), Skinner (4), Banks (3)
Smith (3), Minzey (2), Kirby (1), Niemann (1)

STARTING BATTING ORDER
1—Skinner (47), Marine (6)
2—Marine (40), Lada (10), Smith (3)
3–Lada (32), Blackford (10), Gonzalez (3), Smith (3), Minzy (2), Banks (2), Kuchinski (1))
4-Gonzalez (36), Kuchinksi (10), Blackford (5), Niemann (2)
5-Figueredo (15), Blackford (12), Smith (6), Banks (5), Gonzalez (5), Kuchinski (4), Niemann (3), Figueredo (1), Lada (1), Minzey (1)
6-Blackford (11), Smith (11), Kirby (10). Niemann (4), Banks (3), Lada (3), Kuchinski (2), Marine (2), Minzey (2),
Epp (1), Figueredo (1), Gonzalez (1), Guerra (1), Skinner (1)
7—Smith (17), Banks (13), Kirby (13), Lada (3), Minzey (3), Blackford (1), Guerra (1), Mendoza (1), Skinner (1)
8—Banks (16), Guerra (10), Minzey (7), Smith (5), Epp (4), Kirby (4), Mendoza (3), Leslie (2), Blackford (1), Skinner (1)
9–Mendoza (30), Minzey (9), Guerra (8), Epp (3), Banks (1), Gonzalez (1), Niemann (1)