High Desert Yardbirds Shut Out California City Whiptails 3-0

July 12 2018 The High Desert Yardbirds defeated the California City Whiptails 3-0, holding California to four hits in a shutout at Adelanto Stadium. High Desert scored once in the first inning, added another run in the third and completed the scoring with a run in the seventh. The Yardbirds finished with nine hits and committed no errors, while the Whiptails had three errors.

Demetrius Moorer led High Desert with two hits, two runs and three stolen bases. Kent Blackstone went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Jason Johnson-Wilcoxson added two hits and one RBI. High Desert also received a hit and a run from pinch-hitter Andrew Calderone. California’s four hits included doubles by Tino Mention and Johnny Abbaduscky, while Hunter Villanueva collected two hits.

Gregg Gausden earned the win after allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings. Avery Brandon worked a hitless eighth with one strikeout, and Nick Escalara finished the ninth without allowing a hit while striking out one. Mark Demko took the loss for California despite allowing only two earned runs over seven innings; he surrendered nine hits, walked one and struck out four.

The Yardbirds’ pitching staff struck out 10 California batters and limited the Whiptails to four hits and four walks overall. High Desert’s defense also turned one double play in the victory.