Scott David hits an RBI single to give the Sonoma Stompers a three-run lead against the San Rafael Pacifics in the tenth inning on Thursday at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
Sierra Heil / Stompers Baseball
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, won 6-3 in an extra-inning battle over the San Rafael Pacifics on Thursday, redeeming a hard-fought loss the night before to take the series.
“The biggest thing we did today was put yesterday behind us. I think (catcher Isaac Wenrich) said it best when he said ‘It’s Thursday today. Wednesday doesn’t matter anymore,’ so we just came out with confidence like we have been for 50 games already and know that we’re a better team than that. We showed that today,” said starter Scott Plaza.
Plaza allowed just one earned run over six and two-thirds innings in an otherwise spotless performance, keeping the Pacifics scoreless through five.
“Scott and I have had a couple good games this year. I caught his complete game over in Sonoma. Tonight, everything was working. Every pitch that I called he trusted me and threw with conviction. He pitched a phenomenal game tonight,” said catcher Daniel Comstock.
“I was able to establish my cutter early. That was the game plan with Comstock, was to attack with the cutter and then work everything off of that,” Plaza said.
Comstock bolstered Sonoma’s offensive attack on the Pacifics, smacking three hits and driving in a run.
“Tonight, for some reason, the ball just looked really big. I was comfortable at the plate and felt free. I wasn’t tight at all,” Comstock said.
In the second back-and-forth battle of the series, the Pacifics tied the game in the eighth with a bases-loaded RBI double from Mark Lindsay.
Reliever Jacob Cox delivered an unblemished outing, paving the way for a Stompers tenth-inning rally.
“It’s fun to catch him because he throws hard and it moves. Every pitch that I call for him I think, ‘they’re not going to touch this,’ ” Comstock said.
“In a crucial moment, a guy like Cox is the best guy from the bullpen for us,” Miyoshi said.
The Stompers put up three runs in the ninth, two of which came off the bat of third baseman Scott David. Zach Wendorf pitched the final inning of the game.
In stark contract the Pacifics’ five errors, the Stompers made several strong defensive plays, including a diving catch from Marcus Bradley in right and an Isaac Wenrich backhanded grab at first.
“Everybody was on it tonight because we know last night we just beat ourselves. They didn’t beat us,” Miyoshi said. “We were ready to come back tonight and we did.”
The Stompers improve to 36-12 on the season, while the Pacifics fall to 21-27.
Looking to add to a five-game lead over the second-place Diamonds, Sonoma will return home to face San Rafael Friday at 6 p.m. at People’s Home Equity Ballpark.
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.