Manager Takashi Miyoshi and bench coach Chris Mathews address the team.
Tim Livingston/Sonoma Stompers
Geoff Safford, Media Relations Intern
The feeling of a new season was in the air on an unseasonably cool afternoon in Sonoma as the Stompers took the field on Saturday for their first exhibition game of spring camp. The Stompers went head-to-head with the defending Pacific Association champion San Rafael Pacifics at Peterson Field at the Sonoma Valley Field of Dreams Complex.
The Stompers began spring training on Friday with team workouts, but faced opposing league competition in the Pacifics for the first time on Saturday. The game featured some familiar faces from a season ago and some new ones that will look to prove themselves to earn a spot on the roster. The Stompers showed positive signs in the first game of spring, and will look to sharpen their skills for the season opener later in May.
Two new pitchers shined on the hill for the Stompers as both Jose Flores and Austin Delmotte looked solid in their outings. Delmotte’s fastball was overpowering at times giving the Pacifics all they could handle. Flores did well to keep the Pacifics offense at bay in over two innings of work.
At the plate, Sonoma struck right away in the first inning, and were able to put together good at bats throughout the game. Catcher Max Ayoub showed great discipline at the plate by drawing two walks.
The Stompers will hit the road for their next spring training exhibition at Los Medanos College on Sunday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Diamonds. Sonoma will be back in town for another exhibition matchup against the Pacifics on Monday.
The regular season kicks off for the Stompers on May 31st when they begin a three game road series against the Vallejo Admirals. Opening night at Arnold Field will be on June 7th when Sonoma kicks off another three game set against the Vallejo Admirals. First pitch of that game is scheduled to take place at 6 PM.
Stompers Tickets are available online at stompersbaseball.com, and can also be purchased at the Stompers Fan Shop located at 234 W. Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Special group events, and group ticketing packages are also available now. Please email jack@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277 for any questions you may have or for more information.