By Stompers Staff
The Sonoma Stompers traveled to the College of San Mateo and got back in the win column against the Menlo Park Legends, with a 5-4 win. A two out ninth inning surge by the Legends almost made a comeback possible but Stomper closer Avery Thau was able to get out of it with a big strikeout. Sonoma had five hits on the night, all coming from Paul Contreras and Tyler Holley.
The Stompers started the scoring in the third inning. Jack Scheri led off and was hit by a pitch, which resulted in Nick Sebastiani coming in as a pinch runner. After Contreras singled and Alijah Ramos moved the runners over, Holley stepped up and singled to right, scoring both Sebastiani and Contreras. The Legends responded in the bottom half of the inning though, with their second baseman hitting a solo homerun. Menlo Park then tied it in the fourth inning with a RBI double.
Sonoma had a strong last four innings however, where they scored in the sixth, seventh and ninth. A hit by pitch, walk and error loaded the bases for Cuyler Zukowski in the sixth, who ended up getting a pitch that hit him as well, which scored Justice Brinson who was on third. More errors in the seventh allowed Alijah Ramos to find his way to third base. Jack Lazark then did his job as he hit a sacrifice fly, which scored the fourth Sonoma run. In the ninth, Paul Contrares unloaded for a solo homerun, an insurance run that ended up being crucial for the win.
Thau came in for the ninth, and struck out the first two batters. But after two walks, a Legends double scored both, and made it a 5-4 game. Thau rose to the occasion however and struck out the next batter to end the game. He got the save on the night. Evan Sandoval, who relieved starter Brent Mallet, earned the win in 2.1 innings of work, where he struck out four and only gave up one run.
The victory gets Sonoma back on track as the return home for a matchup with the San Francisco Seagulls at Arnold Field. First pitch is set for 6:05, so come out and support the Stomps, while enjoying some Thursday night baseball. The live broadcast will be up on our YouTube as usual!