Andrew LaCour, a Japan native and UC Davis alumnus, was recently signed by the Yolo High Wheelers. Photo courtesy of Yolo High Wheelers 

DAVIS, CA (MPG) - The Yolo High Wheelers recently signed UC Davis alumnus Andrew LaCour to his first professional contract.

In doing so, LaCour is the first former Aggie to ink a deal with the baseball team that shares the facility (Dobbins Stadium) that he called home the last four springs.

Yolo High Wheelers pitching coach Jerome Williams and LaCour made contact about a month ago. LaCour threw a bullpen for Williams (about 30 pitches) and the coach liked what he saw and recommended him to manager Billy Horton, who in-turn signed him.

LaCour has appeared in three games so far with the High Wheelers, and despite an 0-1 mark, has struck out 10.

“It feels like I have some unfinished business to do,” LaCour said. “I didn’t have the best senior year but this gives me another chance.”

Since the end of the college season, LaCour has been at his Davis apartment, trying to get into the financial industry. The Japan native brings a unique talent to the club as he’s fluent in English and Japanese.

“My dad taught English to Japanese citizens in Japan and that’s where he met my mom, who is Japanese,” LaCour said. “When I was four, my dad moved back to the United States with us."

LaCour said it’s nice that he doesn’t have academics to worry about anymore: "On the field, I was learning to be on time and learn to stick to a schedule and routine having to balance school and baseball. Now it’s just baseball.”

Originally from Walnut Creek, LaCour said he has adapted “nicely” to Yolo County.

“I really enjoyed my time in Davis in and out of the classroom. The city (off-campus) had a lot of events such as farmers’ markets and small business owners showing their products,” said LaCour, who lived on campus all four years.

LaCour took the mound for the first time at Dobbins Stadium in a pro capacity the week of Aug. 20 when the team faced the Boise Hawks in a six-game series.

The Yolo High Wheelers launched this past spring. The High Wheelers joined the Pioneer League, which was founded in 1939, as its second West Coast franchise. The High Wheelers “are committed to providing a fun, innovative and community focused baseball experience that puts families first, while providing a new model for sports franchises and university partnerships,” according to the organization For more information about the Yolo High Wheelers, go online to highwheelers.com.