Edition 7: June 24 - June 29
Welcome to the 2025 Seventh 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: Reno Opens Second Half with Six-Game Homestand Against Salt Lake
Following a successful road trip against the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Reno Aces (37–38) will open the second half of the season at home with a six-game series against the Salt Lake Bees (29–45), the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. First pitch is set for Tuesday, June 24, at 6:35 p.m. PST.
The Aces and Bees previously met in early April in Salt Lake, splitting the six-game set. Reno has been the stronger club this season, finishing the first half in sixth place, while Salt Lake ended in last. The Bees come to Reno after splitting a series with the Sacramento River Cats, and the Aces will look to take advantage of a vulnerable Salt Lake roster.
Notable Bees include right-hander Caden Dana and infielder Bryce Kieboom.
Dana, ranked as the Angels' No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, was dominant in his previous outing against Reno, allowing just one run over five innings while striking out a season-high nine. Since then, however, the 21-year-old has struggled, posting a 3–5 record with a 7.12 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 43 innings. He’s had two stints in the big leagues this season—both out of the bullpen—where he’s compiled a 7.50 ERA with six strikeouts and five walks in six innings. Reno will aim to capitalize on Dana’s recent inconsistency.
Kieboom, a former top prospect in the Nationals system, torched the Aces in their last meeting, going 11-for-25 (.440) with two doubles, two home runs, three RBI, and two walks. The steady infielder is slashing .296/.342/.443 with nine doubles, seven home runs, and 27 RBI over 51 games this season. However, he’s cooled off in June, hitting just .250 (13-for-52) with one home run and seven RBI in 14 games. Reno’s staff will look to quiet his bat in this week’s matchup.
The Aces' offense has been on a tear. During last week’s series in El Paso, the BLC-Nine slashed .321/.407/.581 with 37 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs and 53 RBI.
Tristin English led the charge, going 11-for-30 (.367) with five doubles, three home runs, and 11 RBI. He racked up 25 total bases and was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week. English is slashing .377/.423/.696 with 10 doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBI in 16 games this month.
Jorge Barrosa also impressed, hitting .333 (9-for-27) with two extra-base hits and seven RBI against El Paso. He was outstanding in Reno’s first series against Salt Lake as well, going 9-for-26 (.346) with two doubles, two homers, and nine RBI. The switch-hitter is riding a 16-game hitting streak and is batting .375 (27-for-72) with eight extra-base hits and 16 RBI in June.
Tristin English Claims PCL Player of the Week
Tristin English has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week after leading the Aces’ offense to a series victory at El Paso last week.
Starting all six games on the road, the Aces’ utility man slashed .367/.387/.833 for a 1.220 OPS. Of his 11 hits in the series, eight went for extra bases with five doubles and three home runs to go along with 11 RBI and nine runs scored.
English recorded multiple hits in four of the six games against the Chihuahuas, headlined by a pair of three-hit efforts. On Wednesday, he went 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run and four RBI and two days later, went 3-for-7 with two homers and five RBI.
Since returning from the injured list (back) on May 22, the 28-year-old has been on a tear, going 38-for-100 at the dish with a 1.088 OPS. In that span, he has racked up 19 extra-base hits to go along with 30 RBI and 20 runs scored.
The 2019 MLB Draft pick is in the middle of his third season with Reno and etching his name as one of best Aces of all-time. He currently ranks in the top 10 of the team’s history in hits, home runs, runs batted in and runs scored.Tristin English has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week after leading the Aces’ offense to a series victory at El Paso last week.
Starting all six games on the road, the Aces’ utility man slashed .367/.387/.833 for a 1.220 OPS. Of his 11 hits in the series, eight went for extra bases with five doubles and three home runs to go along with 11 RBI and nine runs scored.
English recorded multiple hits in four of the six games against the Chihuahuas, headlined by a pair of three-hit efforts. On Wednesday, he went 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run and four RBI and two days later, went 3-for-7 with two homers and five RBI.
Since returning from the injured list (back) on May 22, the 28-year-old has been on a tear, going 38-for-100 at the dish with a 1.088 OPS. In that span, he has racked up 19 extra-base hits to go along with 30 RBI and 20 runs scored.
The 2019 MLB Draft pick is in the middle of his third season with Reno and etching his name as one of best Aces of all-time. He currently ranks in the top 10 of the team’s history in hits, home runs, runs batted in and runs scored.
Last Series Recap: Aces Dominate Both Sides of the Ball to Take Series from El Paso
The Reno Aces (37–38) took four of six games from the El Paso Chihuahuas (38–37), the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, this past week at Southwest University Park. It marked the BLC-Nine’s first series win since taking four of six from the Sacramento River Cats in early May.
The Aces appeared on their way to victory in Tuesday’s opener before surrendering a walk-off homer in the ninth. They bounced back on Wednesday behind a standout performance from Tristin English, who went 3-for-5 with his fourth home run of the season, two doubles, and four RBI. English got Reno rolling early with a solo shot in the second, then came through with a two-run double in the ninth to give the Aces key insurance. Trey Mancini stayed hot, going 2-for-5 with his second homer in as many days — his 13th of the year — while Jorge Barrosa added an RBI single in the first to drive in Jake McCarthy.
English remained locked in during Friday’s 17–4 blowout win, launching two home runs and driving in five. On the mound, Spencer Giesting delivered his best start since joining Reno, allowing two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts to earn his first Triple-A win. Gavin Logan shined in his Triple-A debut, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Mancini capped off the offensive outburst with his 14th homer — a three-run shot in the ninth.
Dylan Ray followed with his best Triple-A outing on Saturday, tossing 6 2/3 strong innings while allowing just two runs on three hits with six strikeouts in a 4–3 win. His only blemish came on a two-run homer by Mason McCoy in the second. Reno's offense backed him with a solo homer from Barrosa — his fifth of the year — and a go-ahead three-run blast by René Pinto in the sixth. Andy Weber went 4-for-4 with four doubles.
In Sunday’s series finale, the Aces clinched the set with a 12–4 rout. The bats exploded for seven runs in the first two innings, sparked by back-to-back RBI doubles from Blaze Alexander and Pinto. Barrosa added an RBI single in the second to bring home Connor Kaiser. Casey Kelly earned his first win of the season with five solid innings, giving up three runs while striking out five. Kelly also impressed in Tuesday’s opener, tossing six scoreless innings. He now owns a 5.61 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 61 innings this year.
Tristin English was unstoppable against El Paso, going 11-for-30 (.367) with five doubles, three home runs, and 11 RBI — racking up 25 total bases and earning Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors. He’ll look to stay hot as the Aces return home, slashing .377/.423/.696 with 10 doubles, four homers, and 24 RBI in 16 June games.
Jorge Barrosa also delivered a strong series, going 9-for-27 (.333) with two extra-base hits and seven RBI. The switch-hitter is riding a 16-game hitting streak and batting .375 (27-for-72) with eight extra-base hits and 16 RBI in June.
Trey Mancini’s excellent season continued, as he went 9-for-24 (.375) with a double, three home runs, and six RBI. In June, he leads the Pacific Coast League in home runs (7), slugging (.718), and OPS (1.169).
Reno’s red-hot offense looks to keep rolling as they return to Greater Nevada Field for a six-game homestand against the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
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.