Matt LoCoco (left) and Brennan Metzger (right) celebrate after Metzger hit a game-winning single to defeat the Pittsburg Diamonds 6-5 at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark on Saturday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SONOMA, Calif.– Left fielder Brennan Metzger smacked the first walk-off hit of his baseball career to give the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds.
Metzger played college ball at Division I Long Beach State before being playing three Minor League seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.
“There’s a first time for everything and that was it,” Metzger said. “The first three guys got on, they did a good job so I was just trying to follow suit.”
After crushing the Pittsburg Diamonds 10-1 Friday, the Stompers battled through a close contest Saturday. Trailing by one and down to their last three outs and runners on first and second, Marcus Bradley knocked a base hit up the middle to tie the game.
With the victory, the Stompers start the second half of the season undefeated at 5-0 and improve their overall record to 33-11. They also started the first half 5-0.
“A lot of us are comfortable in big situations. We have a very good lineup. Guys hit one through nine,” said designated hitter and hitting coach Joel Carranza. “It makes it fun to have such a great group of ballplayers to come out and play the game every day and help us win.”
The Stompers’ formidable lineup struck for three runs off of Diamonds starter Corey McDonald, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the efforts of a talented Pittsburg team through the first eight innings.
Vinny Guglietti, who has lead the Diamonds and the Pacific Association in hitting for most of the year, sent a solo shot to right while center fielder Wes Wallace hit two.
The Stompers have been dominant when the game is on the line thus far this season, and Saturday’s contest was a testament to that prowess under pressure.
“We have faith in our team and we just never give up. The game isn’t over until the last out is recorded,” Metzger said.
The Stompers applied pressure in the eighth, coming within one run on a Carranza RBI. Carranza, the Pacific Association home run king, also homered earlier in the game and was responsible for three of the six Stompers runs.
“It always feels good to hit a home run, especially here at home where you have the crowd behind you,” Carranza said.
Aside from Carranza, three other Stompers recorded multiple hits on the night. Bradley and Metzger each went 3 for 4 on the night.
The Stompers take on the Diamonds again on Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at 6 p.m. All Stompers weekend home games will begin at 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season.
WHITMORE & PIAGNO TO BE HONORED AT AT&T PARK
Prior to the game, outfielder Kelsie Whitmore and pitcher Stacy Piagno will be honored at AT&T Park prior to the Giants' game against the San Diego Padres.
Whitmore and Piagno became the first female teammates on a co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950’s when they signed with the Stompers last summer. On July 15, Piagno became one of just three women to earn the win in an American men’s professional baseball league since the 1950’s.
The ceremony will begin at 12 p.m.
STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.
For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.