Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
Composite Schedule

Yolo trail all night, fall short 6-5

Fresh Pro Pitching Debuts as High Wheelers get close

Yolo trail all night, fall short 6-5
Video Box Score

Colorado Springs, Co.---It wasn't likely the Yolo High Wheelers (31-29; 8-6) were going to win every game of the 18 scheduled on the Colorado portion of this trip, as it turns out that will be the case as the Rocky Mountain Vibes (27-33; 6-8) were victorious 6-5 on Wednesday night at UCHealth Park.

 
The Vibes never trailed as they scored a run in the first, and two in the second jumping ahead 3-0.  In the second, the Vibes had RBI singles from first baseman Carter Mize, and third baseman Dane Tofteland.
 
Yolo got a run back in the third as second baseman Kirkland Banks doubled leading off.  Immediately after, catcher Angel Mendoza singled Banks home making it 3-1 Rocky Mountain.  The High Wheelers trailed 4-1 with two out and nobody on in the fifth.  Mendoza walked and he was driven in by the next batter--center fielder Brayland Skinner who doubled making it 4-2 Vibes.  Skinner then stole third which was his team-high 29th.  Shortstop Bobby Lada followed with a walk but while he was at the plate there was a wild pitch which scored Skinner.  Designated hitter Jose Gonzalez walked and that set the stage for first baseman Alejandro Figueredo to come through with a game-tying RBI single.
 
Each team had a chance to untie it but the Vibes left the bases loaded in the fifth as did the High Wheelers in the sixth.
 
However, Rocky Mountain broke through in the seventh taking the lead for good.  Second baseman Ernie Yake led off with a single against the High Wheelers Jimmie Lewis (0-1).  Shortstop Josh Day had the game-deciding hit with a double scoring Yake making it 5-4 Vibes.  The back-breaking hit in that inning was a run-producing two-out single by former High Wheeler catcher Mason Minzey which put Rocky Mountain ahead 6-4.
 
Yolo got a run back in the top of the eighth when third baseman Braedon Blackford came through with a sacrifice fly driving in left fielder David Glancy who had led off with a triple  However, Yolo didn't have another runner after Glancy's hit.
 
Trey Morrill (2) retired the last five Yolo batters including three strikeouts for the save.  Jaxon O'Neal (4-3) earned the win giving up a run in 1 1/3 innings.  He struck out two.  
 
Lewis in defeat surrendered two runs in two innings with two strikeouts.
 
Noah Lewis was the spot starter for Yolo and lasted four innings.  He gave up four runs (three earned).  The right-hander who made his second start  (both against Rocky Mountain) walked four and allowed five hits.  
 
Kelsey Ward, the Vibes starter, issued four runs (all earned) over five innings with three strikeouts.
 
Game three of this six-game series is Thursday night at 5:35 PST.  Right-hander Ben Ferrer is the probable for Yolo and left-hander Nick Powers for Rocky Mountain.
 
HIGH TALES
Andrew LaCour and Ethan Bates both made their pro debuts.  LaCour, the first UC Davis alum to be signed by the High Wheelers, pitched out of a bases loaded fifth inning jam without allowing a run.  He struck out two including Yake, his first pro batter.   LaCour was able to keep the game tied at four.  Bates kept it a one-run deficit working around two runners in the eighth
 
High Wheelers shortstop Braylin Marine did not play because of a right hand issue.  He's hoping to be back Thursday.  He was removed in the third inning last night
 
Every High Wheeler in the starting lineup reached base safely
 
Yolo leads the season series 7-5.  The High Wheelers are 3-4 in one-run games