Mason Morioka went 3 for 4 in a 6-1 loss Tuesday.
James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers
Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant
The Sonoma Stompers dropped the opening game of this nine game road trip to the Pittsburg Diamonds by a score of 6-1. The game was close through most of the contest, but Pittsburg was able to finally pull away thanks to a late inning rally. Sonoma’s offense had plenty of opportunities to put runs on the board but was unable to get the big hit to break through. Rob Ellis picked up the win for Pittsburg defeating his counterpart Gregory Paulino.
Sonoma had the lead briefly in the second inning thanks to an RBI single by Ethan Szabo that bounced through the hole on the left side of the infield to put Sonoma ahead 1-0. However, Pittsburg would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer by Nick Oddo.
The run for Sonoma in the second would be their last despite the fact that five Stomper hitters finished with multiple hits in the game. Sonoma was able to consistently get men aboard, but could not bring them to the plate. Sonoma stranded 11 runners total in the game. Mason Morioka led the team in hits as he went 3-for 4. Sonoma had 13 hits as a team.
Paulino (1-2) kept Sonoma in the ballgame during the five innings he pitched, but was left on the hook for the loss because of a lack of run support. Ellis (1-1) did allow ten hits in his six innings of work, but countered that with nine strikeouts. Garrett Granitz, and Joe Lewis were able to hold Sonoma scoreless in the three innings they pitched to close out the ballgame.
The eight inning proved to be a huge one for Pittsburg offensively as they were able to get some breathing space for the ninth. Sonoma entered the bottom of the eighth trailing only 2-1. But a leadoff double by Mike Taylor, and a walk to Sammy Ayala put two aboard against Stomper reliever Eric Mozeika. Thomas Shull came up next and delivered the biggest hit of the game with a three run blast to make it 5-1.
Sonoma’s ability to get men aboard throughout the game had to give them confidence trailing by only one run going into the eighth. But the homer by Shull was a huge blow. Pittsburg would add one more to cap the four run eighth.
The Stompers (10-8) will look to bounce back against the Diamonds (9-10) in game 2 tomorrow night at City Park Field. Mike Jackson Jr. is scheduled to get the start for Sonoma. Jackson Jr. beat the Diamonds the last time he faced them on June 3 in an 18-4 Stomper win. Jackson Jr. also tied the franchise record in that game with 12. The San Rafael Pacifics (10-8) remained tied with Sonoma for first place in the Pacific Association as they lost 11-8 to the Admirals Tuesday.
Tickets for upcoming Stomper home games are available at stompersbaseball.com. Fan merchandise, and tickets are also available at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. If you have any questions, contact us at info@stompersbaseball.com.