By Stompers Staff
The Sonoma Stompers dominated for 8.5 innings, and won 7-5 despite a ninth inning comeback attempt by the Walnut Creek Crawdads. The Stompers offense had another good night, with Alijah Ramos and Paul Contreras both hitting home runs. It was Contreras’ fifth homerun in league play, placing him second in all of CCL in terms of long balls. Brent Mallet got the win in his three innings of work, where he struck out three while holding the Crawdads to no runs.
Jake Tirk started for Sonoma and threw a solid three innings, giving up only one in the third. This was the only run for Walnut Creek until the ninth. After going down 1-0, the Stomper offense came alive. Contreras got the scoring started with his solo shot in the fourth. After Chase Taylor walked in the fifth, Ramos then stepped up and hit his home run, giving the Stomps a 3-1 lead.
This held till the eighth, when Sonoma added four more runs. Darvin Scott singled, Luke Rossi forced an error, and Chase Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to earn the insurance runs. The insurance was much needed, as the Crawdads fought back in the ninth. After a single, double and hit by pitch, they loaded the bases for their first baseman. He then hit a huge grand slam to make it 7-5. Sean Flowers came in for the last out and did his job, getting a strikeout to earn a save on the night and escape the comeback attempt.
Ramos and Contreras highlighted the effort with their homers, combining for three hits and three RBIs in total. Scott, Taylor, Joseph Cardinale, Trent Abel and Nick Sebastiani compiled the other hits for Sonoma, completing another strong offensive effort. They have responded well after a tough day on Tuesday.
The win puts the Stomps 1.5 games back of the second place San Luis Obispo Blues, and 3.5 games back of the Crawdads in first. While first place is out of the picture, Sonoma is fighting for a home playoff game that will happen if they are able to catch the Blues. The San Francisco Seagulls sit behind the Stomps, and with a loss today, would put them 2.5 games back of Sonoma. They currently trail the Alameda Merchants 10-1.
This playoff picture can easily change with three more games remaining so make sure to come out to Arnold Field to watch the chaos unfold. The Stompers begin a three game homestead to finish the season with a game tomorrow, Friday, against the Menlo Park Legends. First pitch is at 6:05! If you’re unable to make it, our broadcast will be up on our YouTube channel.