High Wheelers celebrate their Pioneer League Championship. Photo courtesy of Yolo High Wheelers

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Bobby Lada delivered a legendary moment for Yolo, sending the High Wheelers to their first-ever Pioneer League Championship with an 8-7 victory over the Glacier Range Riders on Sept. 21 at Dobbins Stadium.

Trailing 5-0 after five innings, Yolo's comeback began in the sixth when Lada launched a solo home run to left-center. Yolo right fielder Tanner Smith followed with a clutch grand slam to tie the game at 5-5. Glacier struck back with a two-run home run by Ben Fitzgerald in the seventh, giving the Range Riders a 7-5 lead. But the High Wheelers refused to go quietly.

In the bottom of the ninth, Edwin De La Cruz singled to bring the tying run to the plate, and with two outs, Braylin Marine extended the game with a single down the third base line. With the championship on the line, Lada crushed the first pitch he saw, a towering three-run homer off the left-field foul pole, securing the title and sparking a jubilant celebration at home plate.

"I was just thinking of crushing that ball, and that's what I did," Lada said. "Ben Fitzgerald and I were college teammates, and when he hit two homers, I had to keep up."

High Wheelers pose for a well-deserved Championship team photo. Photo courtesy of Yolo High Wheelers

Manager Billy Horton couldn't contain his excitement: "You can't script this. I dreamed of moments like this all season. I was jumping up and down, screaming ‘Bobby Lada!’ like a little kid."

Brandon McPherson earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning, while Jonah Jenkins kept Yolo within reach with two scoreless frames in the fifth and sixth.

The High Wheelers finished their inaugural season with a 58-44 record, capping it off with their first championship in dramatic fashion.

For more information on the Yolo High Wheelers visit the team website at www.highwheelers.com.