Edition 5: May 20 - May 25
Welcome to the 2025 Fifth Edition of Leading Off, the official publication of the Reno Aces Baseball Club. This season-long publication will release an updated edition before every homestand. Stay up-to-date with everything happening at Greater Nevada Field, and learn more about the opponent coming to town! Its logos and graphics are trademarks of the Reno Aces. All rights reserved—Aces photos provided by Aces Team Photographer David Calvert.
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Series Preview: Aces Return to GNF to host Isotopes
The Reno Aces (21-24) return to Greater Nevada Field following a tough road trip against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (27-18), the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, where they were swept in six games at Constellation Field. They now look to rebound as they host the Albuquerque Isotopes (19-25), the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, for a six-game homestand this week.
The Aces, currently riding a seven-game losing streak, have a prime opportunity to bounce back against the last-place Isotopes. Reno won the 2024 season series against Albuquerque, taking seven of 12 matchups. They also claimed this season’s late-April series at home against the Isotopes, winning four of six games.
Albuquerque enters the series following a three-game split against the Tacoma Rainiers.
Notable players on the Isotopes’ roster include infielders Warming Bernabel and Ryan Ritter.
Bernabel was a major issue for the Aces in their first meeting this season, going 11-for-25 (.440) with five doubles and 11 RBI over six games. The 22-year-old has been a standout performer for Albuquerque this season, slashing .283/.344/.493 with six home runs and 14 walks. He leads the team in hits (39), doubles (11), and RBI (30). Bernabel is coming off a strong showing against Tacoma, where he went 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, a home run, and four RBI. He’s been especially productive on the road, slashing .290/.329/.507 with six doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI in 18 games. Shutting him down will be key for the Aces this week.
Ritter, ranked as the Rockies’ No. 12 prospect, has also had an impressive season. The 24-year-old shortstop is slashing .253/.391/.493 and leads the Isotopes in home runs (8), walks (29), and total bases (72). He’s coming off a dominant week against Tacoma, going 10-for-22 (.455) with four doubles, two triples, one home run, and nine RBI. Ritter performed decently in the first series against Reno, going 6-for-24 (.250) with a double, a home run, and four RBI, while drawing a team-leading six walks. He’s been especially dangerous against left-handed pitching, slashing .353/.463/.794 with three doubles, four home runs, and nine RBI in just 34 at-bats. He’ll look to continue that momentum heading into this week’s set.
Cristian Mena is poised for a key outing against the Isotopes. In his previous start against Albuquerque, Mena endured his toughest outing of the season, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings. However, since that game, he’s rebounded well, allowing just three runs over his next 11 1/3 innings with 15 strikeouts and three walks. He also made a brief but impressive appearance with the Arizona Diamondbacks since then, tossing 3 2/3 no-hit innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers with one walk and five strikeouts. Mena enters this series coming off a dominant outing against Sugar Land, where he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out seven. His performance will be critical to Reno’s hopes this week.
Lawlar Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Month for April
Following a scorching hot month at the plate, Reno Aces infielder Jordan Lawlar was named Pacific Coast Player of the Month for the month of April by Minor League Baseball on Monday.
Lawlar, the top prospect in the Diamondbacks organization, hit .408/.487/.749 and led the PCL in runs scored (31), hits (42), total bases (77), extra base hits (21), OPS (1.235) and slugging percentage, and tied for the league lead in RBI (30) in April. He also ranked second in doubles (15) and on-base percentage, and third in home runs (6) and stolen bases (12).
In 25 games, the Carrollton, Texas native recorded 14 multi-hit games including seven of the last eight, and nine of the last 11 games of the month. He hit safely in 22 of the 25 games overall and ended April on an 11-game hitting streak.
Lawlar’s 1.235 OPS is the highest by an Aces’ hitter in the month of April for Reno since Kevin Cron’s 1.249 OPS in 2019, and the highest of any month since Dominic Canzone posted a 1.237 OPS in June 2023.
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Lawlar from Jesuit Prep in Dallas, Texas as their first-round selection, sixth overall, in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Adrian Del Castillo was the last Aces player to garner the PCL Player of the Month award, winning it in May 2024. He would later go on to win the Pacific Coast League MVP award at the end of the season.
Last Series Recap: Aces Power Past River Cats, Take Four of Six in Sacramento
Sacramento, Calif. – The Reno Aces (18–15) defeated the Sacramento River Cats (16–17), the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, in a six-game series this past week at Sutter Health Park. The BLC-Nine took home four wins from Sacramento and have moved into third place in the Pacific Coast League.
The Aces entered Tuesday’s opener riding a four-game winning streak and extended it to five with a 7–3 victory, powered by Cristian Mena and Trey Mancini. Mena was a threat on the mound, turning in his third quality start of the season after limiting the River Cats to three runs with two walks and eight punchouts in six frames. Mancini got it done on the other side of the ball, crushing a go-ahead grand slam off a Kai-Wei Teng sinker. Jordan Lawlar continued his masterful 2025 campaign, extending his hitting streak to 10 games in the opener, going 2-for-3 with his sixth home run of the year.
Reno’s bats stayed hot in Wednesday’s 16–6 blowout win. The Aces were quiet early but later exploded for 14 runs over the final three innings to secure a consecutive win over Sacramento. A.J. Vukovich was the main contributor on offense, driving in seven runs after a three-hit night highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the seventh. Reno and Sacramento went back and forth until the eighth frame, when the Aces pulled away for good with a five-run eruption. Aramis Garcia sparked the rally, roping a leadoff solo shot into deep left field. Blaze Alexander played a crucial role in the late surge, coming through with two RBI knocks to extend the Aces’ lead. He also crushed his third big fly of the year earlier in the contest, a solo shot in the sixth.
The momentum carried over to Thursday’s 3–2 extra-inning nailbiter. Tied through nine, the Aces capitalized on a Sacramento error and a wild pitch in the 10th, allowing Cristian Pache to score the go-ahead run. Kyle Amendt and the Aces bullpen were the heroes in the win, holding the River Cats scoreless through five combined innings. Amendt earned his first save of the year after a clean 10th inning, striking out one without issuing a walk. Yu-Min Lin sparkled in his season debut, limiting the River Cats to two runs across five sharp innings. Garcia continued to mash, belting two home runs off Carson Whisenhunt, including a game-tying shot in the seventh.
The Aces extended their winning streak to seven games after Thursday’s victory, but it came to an end in Friday’s 3–2 loss.
Saturday’s 5–1 victory sealed the series win for Reno. It was an unexpected bullpen day after Tommy Henry was scratched late, but the ‘pen held it down, allowing the River Cats to score one unearned run while striking out 12 without issuing a walk. Vukovich headlined the scoring, smashing his seventh home run off then–PCL ERA leader Carson Seymour. Jorge Barrosa made an impact in his return to the lineup after a five-game stint in the big leagues, putting the Aces on the board with a two-RBI double in the fourth frame.
Greater Nevada Field Set to Host Three Vitalant Blood Drives This Season
Throughout the 2025 season, the Reno Aces and Vitalant will host three blood drives at Greater Nevada Field beginning on Tuesday, April 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be two additional days of blood drives at the ballpark on August 19-20 before the Aces’ home games against the Round Rock Express.
"Greater Nevada Field is a genuine hub for the community, and we're excited to partner with Vitalant for a blood drive that will support the people of Northern Nevada," said Reno Aces President Eric Edelstein. "This initiative highlights the spirit of our community, showing that we unite to save lives and create a meaningful difference."
Donators can give a Power Red or Whole Blood donation at the blood drive at Greater Nevada Field.
- Power Red—This donation collects red blood cells but safely returns platelets and plasma to the donor. Donors must meet eligibility requirements, including height and weight. The donor's blood type should be O-, O+, A-, or B-. The process takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Whole Blood donation—This is the most common way to give blood. It collects about a pint of blood and usually takes about 10 minutes; the entire process takes about an hour.
“April is National Donate Life Month, a time to recognize the critical role blood donations play in life-saving organ and marrow transplants. In some cases, doctors may transfuse 20 or more units of blood in a single transplant surgery,” said Vitalant Account Manager Aimee Guthrel. “The Reno Aces' partnership with us plays a vital role in helping to keep our blood supply replenished and our community safe. We are grateful for their continued support in making this blood drive a success and encouraging our community to give the gift of life this April.”
Spring and summer can be very challenging times to collect blood for many reasons, including high schools and colleges—the site of many blood drives—on break and routine donors away on vacation.
Walk-ins are welcome, but donation appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, call (877) 258-4825 or click HERE
Reno Aces Game will Honor Nevada’s Youngest-Ever Organ Donor
Audrey Jade Hope Sullenger was rushed to the hospital in May 2011 at just three days old. Although paramedics were able to restart her heart, she was declared brain dead after 48 hours. Her mother, Felicia Hill, decided to donate Audrey’s organs, which saved two lives.
Audrey’s cause of death remains unknown, and Hill believes her daughter was born to save lives. Her heart saved the life of then 3-week-old Addison McArthur, and her kidneys saved 38-year-old Hydee Efondo Lim.
“When I was approached by Donor Network West to see if I was willing to donate Audrey’s organs, it was an immediate yes––I knew the good that could come out of it,” said Hill. “We’re continuing to educate people on what Audrey was able to do with her tiny life 13 years later. It brings so much peace and comfort knowing that her life wasn’t lost for no reason.”
Hill and her two daughters, Olivia and Moriah, will honor Audrey by running the bases during the second inning at the Reno Aces’ Home Run for Life game, presented by Donor Network West, Friday, April 26, 2024, at Greater Nevada Field as the Reno Aces take on the Sugar Land Cowboys.
As a longtime Donor Network West ambassador, Hill uses her platform to destigmatize organ donation by sharing her daughter’s story and legacy.
One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
Donor Network West, northern Nevada’s only federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization, is proud to support Home Run for Life baseball games during the Reno Aces’ 2024 season. Now in its third season, the partnership brings critical awareness about organ donation to the northern Nevada community, especially with nearly 700 Nevadans on the national waiting list hoping to receive life-saving organs.
“Audrey has deeply impacted the northern Nevada community through her legacy,” said Janice Whaley, president and CEO of Donor Network West. “It is an honor to recognize her and the decision her family made to give the gift of life to others. Donor Network West is proud to partner with the Reno Aces to commemorate northern Nevada’s donors and donor families.”
Six times per season, the Home Run for Life game series honors a northern Nevada community member who has either received a life-saving transplant, lost a loved one who gave the gift of life through organ donation or helped provide support and healing to those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation.