High Desert Yardbirds Rally Past California City 7-5

June 18 2018 The High Desert Yardbirds overcame an early deficit to defeat the California City Whiptails 7-5 at Adelanto Stadium. California City collected nine hits and scored in the first fifth and ninth innings, but High Desert answered with nine hits of its own and took control with a five-run sixth inning before adding an insurance run in the eighth. Jason Johnson-Wilcoxson led the Yardbirds with three hits, one run and one RBI. Kent Blackstone scored twice, drove in two runs and added a triple, while Ronnie Grant scored twice and doubled. B. Harmon also contributed an RBI, and High Desert took advantage of three walks from California City starter Chris Miranda-Carr. Nick Snyder paced the Whiptails with three hits, one run and one RBI. Johnny Abbaduscky Hunter Villanueva and Wardy Polanco each recorded two hits, with Villanueva adding a triple. California City scored twice in the ninth, but High Desert held on for the victory. Jalen Byrd earned the win after pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and two hits allowed. Gregg Gausden started for High Desert and allowed three runs, only one earned, over 5.1 innings. Avery Brandon recorded the save despite allowing two runs over 1.2 innings. Miranda-Carr was charged with the loss after surrendering five earned runs on six hits in 5.1 innings.