By Stompers Staff
In nail-biting fashion the Sonoma Stompers secured a much needed 5-4 win against the San Luis Obispo Blues this Wednesday night. Manager Zack Pace went deep into his bullpen, using a total of six pitchers to contain the Blues’ offense. Pace commented on this move, “I got to use everyone I wanted”, and it paid off.
Garrett James, Sonoma reliever who pitched the fourth after Jake Tirk’s three innings, earned the win in his one inning of work, allowing only one base runner via a walk. Erikas Puodziunas received the loss for the Blues, giving up three walks and one hit, which allowed three Sonoma players to score.
The Stomps struck in the top of the first, where Culyer Zukowski walked and was set up on third after a Jack Scheri single. A Tyler Holley sacrifice fly then allowed Zukowski to cross. The Blues responded in the bottom of the second, scoring on a wild pitch from Tirk. Sonoma scored three in the sixth, also off a wild pitch from the Blues’, and then a clutch two out single from Ben Giovannetti. After scoring another in the sixth (Alijah Ramos sacrifice fly) the Stomps were in control till the eighth, where the Blues worked a couple walks and had timely hits to cut the lead to one.
This set up the ninth, where the Stompers went down one, two, three in the top and needed a save from Sean Flowers. The University of Nevada senior made it interesting, striking out the first two batters but walking the next two. With runners on first and second, Flowers delivered, striking out Blues hitter Casey Borba and earning the save, and win, for the Stompers.
Walks were the story for both clubs, as the Stompers walked 12 SLO batters, with the Blues walking seven as well, yet Sonoma showed up when it mattered to score five runs on only four hits. The win snaps a four game losing streak, and sends the Stompers into a Thursday day off as the team travels back to Sonoma.
The Stomps will be in action Friday, back at Arnold Field for a non-league matchup with Petaluma Athletic Edge. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, so be there to support! The game will also be broadcasted live on our YouTube channel!