First baseman Daniel Baptista tied a franchise record with seven RBIs in the Stompers 13-4 win over the Admirals Thursday. Baptista was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and a double.
James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers
Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant
Sonoma had never lost two games in a series against Vallejo before this week. The Admirals had their eyes on a sweep Thursday after two straight one run victories. But the Stompers had other plans in the series finale at Wilson Park. The offense jumped on starter Marquis Hutchinson in the top of the first with a seven run rally and never looked back in a 13-4 win over the Admirals. Daniel Bapista delivered with a three run home run in the inning to get the scoring started. That would only be the beginning of a fabulous night at the plate for the big first baseman.
Baptista had three extra base hits in the game and finished 3 for 4 with two home runs. Baptista hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning to drive in three more runs. Baptista came within just a few feet of a third home run in the sixth on an RBI double into left center field. Baptista finished the game with seven runs driven in on the night a season high for the team. That also tied the franchise record for most runs batted in one game. Baptista now shares the record with his teammate Joel Carranza who set the mark in 2015.Baptista was happy about his performance, but was more worried about helping out his team.
“I actually did not know that I tied the franchise record that is really amazing,” said Baptista. “When I come up to the plate I’m not trying to do to much. I go up there to do what ever the team asks me to do. It feels incredible to tie that record, but I just want to do what it takes to get a win.”
For the third time in the last nine games, the Stompers scored thirteen runs in total on thirteen hits. Five Stomper hitters finished with multiple hits. Mark Hurley closed a fantastic series in Vallejo with a 2 for 4 night. Hurley was 6 for 13 in the series. Scott David also made an impact in his Stompers debut going 2 for 4 with two walks and three runs scored.
Juan Espinosa got credit for his second win of the season as a starter in his six-inning effort. Espinosa allowed six hits and four runs over the six innings with seven strikeouts. Sean Conroy also pitched for the first time since August 3 in two innings of relief. Conroy allowed no runs on two hits. That was a very positive sign for the right-hander who seems to be on the mend after coming off of the inactive list.
The Stompers (40-29, 17-13 second half) will begin the biggest series of the season thus far Friday in a showdown against the San Rafael Pacifics (39-30, 18-12 second half). Sonoma trails San Rafael by only one game in the second half standings, but leads by one game in overall record. The Stompers had their struggles against the Pacifics in the first half but are 6-3 over their last nine against their bitter rivals. The winner of this three game series at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field will be in the drivers seat going into the final week of the regular season in the Pacific Association.
Tickets for all three games of the showdown against San Rafael are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan Merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com.