Welcome to the 2025 Third 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.
After dropping four of six to the Round Rock Express, the Reno Aces (10–11) will now host the Albuquerque Isotopes—the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies—for the second half of a 12-game homestand at Greater Nevada Field. The six-game series is set to begin on Tuesday, April 22, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PST.
Albuquerque enters the series coming off a split against El Paso and holds a 9–12 overall record, including a 3–6 mark on the road. Reno edged out the Isotopes in their 2024 season series, winning seven of 12 matchups.
Notable names on Albuquerque’s roster include outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez and left-hander Carson Palmquist.
Fernandez, Colorado’s No. 6 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, has flashed his 60-grade power early in the season, belting a team-leading five home runs in just 17 games. In Sunday’s series finale against El Paso, the Cuban slugger led the offense with two solo homers in a 6–5 loss. After a slow start to 2025, Fernandez has heated up in April, slashing .263/.293/.684 with five homers and nine RBI since April 6.
The 22-year-old played 89 games with Double-A Hartford last year before his promotion to Albuquerque in early August, hitting .283/.339/.439 with 28 extra-base hits—including 10 home runs—and 46 RBI. He closed out the season with the Isotopes, batting .211 (27-for-128) with seven doubles, two homers, and 18 RBI over 33 games. In nine games against Reno in 2024, Fernandez went 8-for-34 (.235) with a double, a home run, and six RBI. He’ll be a key power threat for Albuquerque in the upcoming series.
Palmquist, a southpaw drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, is considered to be the top left-handed prospect in the Rockies organization. In three starts this season, Colorado’s #9 overall prospect owns a 5.02 ERA with 15 strikeouts and just four walks across 14 1/3 innings. His strongest outing came on April 10 against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, when he allowed just one run over five innings, walking one and striking out a season-high seven.
Like Fernandez, Palmquist began the 2024 season with Double-A Hartford and earned a promotion to Triple-A late in the year. In 18 starts for Hartford, he posted a 3.17 ERA with 113 strikeouts and 33 walks over 82 1/3 innings. His most dominant outing came on July 5 against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, tossing seven shutout innings with one hit, one walk, and a career-high 13 strikeouts. He went on to make nine starts with Albuquerque, putting up a 5.86 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 27 walks in 35 1/3 innings. In two starts against Reno last season, Palmquist went 0–2 with a 4.05 ERA and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The Aces will look to capitalize early against the young lefty.
Jordan Lawlar has been one of the hottest hitters in Triple-A. Over his last 10 games, the 22-year-old is slashing .410/.489/.974 with five doubles, a triple, five home runs, 13 RBI, and six walks. Against Round Rock last week, he went 9-for-22 (.409) with three home runs and nine RBI. Lawlar appeared in just five games against the Isotopes last year but still posted a strong .333/.409/.389 line with a double and two RBI. Reno will count on their top prospect to stay hot in this week’s homestand.
The Reno Aces announced the club's May promotional schedule today for all 12 home games during the 2025 season's second full month. Individual Game tickets are currently on sale via RenoAces.com, or by texting "TIXX" to 21003.
Special Events
Dog Day presented by Sit Means Sit, NBC News 4, Fox 11 and Nevada Sports Net:Thursday, May 8th vs. Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.
- Featuring Lambo the Bat Dog
- For more information or paperwork requirements: https://www.milb.com/reno/tickets/dogdays
Lilo and Stitch Night:
Friday, May 9th vs. Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.
- Ohana means family! Come say aloha and see the custom, co-branded merchandise in the Team Shop for this tropical game.
SpongeBob Night, presented by Northern Nevada Toyota, 103.7 The River, and KOLO:
Saturday, May 10th vs. Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.
- Come see our SpongeBob on-field jerseys in action, shop our co-branded merchandise and arrive early for a beach towel giveaway!
Mother’s Day Celebration:
Sunday, May 11th, vs. Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics
- Bring mom out to the ballpark for a well-earned day of relaxation on Mother’s Day! Featuring a flower giveaway (limited quantities, while supplies last)
D’oh! Night
Friday, May 23rd, vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
- An unpossible night of fun! All the best from Springfield is making its way to Greater Nevada Field in a special in-game experience with themed games, graphics and a postgame fireworks show!
Looney Tunes Night, presented by Greater Nevada Credit Union:
Saturday, May 24th, vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
- What’s up Doc? Looney Tunes Night at Greater Nevada Field is back by popular demand! Come out for a night of fun featuring a Tasmanian Devil bobblehead giveaway, on-field jerseys, co-branded merchandise and more!
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Day, presented by Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:
Sunday, May 25th, vs. Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
- Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation with exclusive, on-field jerseys worn by your Reno Aces!
May Daily Deals
- Taco Tuesdays, presented by Nevada Donor Network and Alice 96.5 (5/6, 5/20)– Fans can enjoy 2 street tacos for $5.00.
- Wild Wednesdays, presented by Wild 102.9 FM (5/7, 5/21) - $10.29 infield reserve tickets every Wednesday using code "WILD" at RenoAces.com.
- Throwback Thursdays, presented by Coors Light, 2 News Nevada & KBUL 98.1 (5/8, 5/22) – The Aces' will take the field as the Reno Silver Sox every Thursday home game at Greater Nevada Field. Concession specials and merchandise will be available as well as $2 Coors Light.
- Fireworks Friday, presented by Panasonic Energy and Ten Country 97.3, in partnership with Pyro Guys, Inc. (5/9, 5/23) – Featuring pre-game, in-game and post-game fireworks.
- Family Sundays, presented by SUNNY 106.9 FM (5/11, 5/25) – featuring $1.50 Hot Dogs, kids run the bases postgame and be sure to wear red as the Aces will be taking the field in their red “city pride” BLC hats!
The Reno Aces (10-11) dropped their six-game homestand to the Round Rock Express (11-10), the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, this week at Greater Nevada Field. The Express took four out of six matchups from the Aces.
Reno opened the series with a bang in Tuesday’s 5-4 thriller. Trailing by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Rene Pinto played hero, launching a two-run walk-off homer to lift the Aces to victory. It was Reno’s first walk-off win of the season. Jordan Lawlar and Jorge Barrosa got the offense rolling early, going back-to-back with solo shots in the first inning — both their third home runs of the year.
The BLC-Nine’s second and final win came in Friday’s 11-3 offensive outburst. Reno exploded for eight runs in the third inning to take control of the game. Barrosa sparked the rally with an RBI single to right, scoring A.J. Vukovich, and later added another RBI with a double in the eighth. Pinto stayed locked in at the plate, capping the big third inning with a two-run double that brought home Blaze Alexander and Vukovich. Lawlar wasn’t involved in the third-inning outburst, but still had a strong night at the dish, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.
Lawlar was electric all series. The 22-year-old top prospect looked every bit like one of the best players in Minor League Baseball, going 9-for-22 (.409) with two doubles, a triple, three home runs, and nine RBIs, good for a 1.000 slugging percentage. He’s in the best stretch of his Aces career, slashing .410/.489/.974 over his last 10 games with 11 extra-base hits, five homers, and 13 RBIs. During that span, he leads the Pacific Coast League in home runs, RBIs, slugging, OPS (1.463), extra-base hits, and total bases (38). Arizona’s prized infielder heads into next week’s homestand against Albuquerque riding a red-hot streak as he makes his case for a return to the big leagues.
Pinto, meanwhile, turned in a strong series of his own. Beyond his walk-off blast, the Aces catcher slashed .333/.412/.800 with a double, two home runs, and six RBIs against the Express. Over his last seven games, he’s gone 9-for-27 (.333) with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
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
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.