(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SONOMA, Calif. – The first matchup between the newly-minted Napa Silverados and the Sonoma Stompers brought the longtime rivalry between the two valleys to the baseball diamond Tuesday night in Sonoma.
On the field the Stompers won 6-4, as both teams delivered strong pitching performances culminating in the Stompers’ lowest-scoring game to date this season. The difference was a throwing error in the third that allowed Marcus Bradley to advance to third and scored two.
Errors were a trend in the game, as another throwing error by Napa shortstop Nick Kern sent two more Stompers runs to the plate in the seventh.
Mitchell Ho hit his fourth home run in as many games, while Bradley continued to deliver offensively, turning in a three-hit performance, his third multi-hit game.
Starter Dominic Topoozian pitched five strong innings with six strikeouts en route to the win, but credited the rest of his team with the victory.
“There’s no quit, there’s no panic in these guys, even if things don’t go our way, we’re always fighting,” Topoozian said. “We all got each other’s back, we know that deep down.”
Following Topozzian’s performance, the bullpen combined to allow two runs over the final four innings, striking out four, capped off by Jacob Cox, who earned his first save of the year.
Off the field, the Stompers welcomed new concessions partners Palooza Brewery and Gastropub into the fold. The Kenwood-based restaurant delivered gourmet burgers and hot dogs as well as elevated fare like lobster rolls and truffle fries.
“It’s amazing to work with Palooza owner Jeff Tyler and general manager Patrick Odenthal. Hats off to them for all of their hard work in renovating the concessions stands and delivering quality ballpark food,” said Stompers general manager Brett Creamer.
Nearly 400 fans attended the event, which saw Mayor Madolyn Agrimonti throw the ceremonial first pitch and local trio the Cork Pullers deliver a spirited performance of the Star Spangled Banner.
The game was the first at home for new manager Zack Pace and first-year general manager Creamer.
“Without my entire team, especially the front office staff, interns, seasonal employees and baseball operations staff, we couldn’t have pulled it off. Six months of preparation have panned out and it was great to see the community support on top of that,” Creamer said. “Plus, we got the W.”