June 7, 2019
VALLEJO, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers bullpen could not hold on to an early 2-0 lead as the Vallejo Admirals capitalize on mistakes to rally back and win 6-4.
The Stompers got out to an early lead in the top of the second inning on a solo homerun by first baseman Chris Kwitzer, his first of the season, off of left-handed starter Mike Melendez to put the Stompers out in front 1-0 early.
The longball proved to get the better of Melendez in the top of the fifth inning as well when Jacob Barfield hit his second homer in as many days to double the Stompers lead to 2-0.
Ethan Gibbons got the start on the mound today as he tossed four scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and striking out six when his pitch count of 75 forced him out of the game.
Left-hander Brian Browning was first out of the bullpen for Manager Zack Pace in the bottom of the fifth inning. Browning, with one on and two out, hung a curveball to Nick Akins Sr. who hit his second home run of the season to right center field as the Admirals tied the game 2-2 after five innings of play.
The Stompers answered back in the top of the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly from Champi Lucca and an RBI single by Nick Gotta to go back on top 4-2.
Marshall Shill came in to throw the bottom of the seventh inning for the Stompers to try and keep the lead. He could not. Vallejo scored three times on three hits, a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch to take their first lead 5-4.
The Admirals scored again in the bottom of the eighth on a Chris Fornaci sacrifice fly after Aaron Brill reached on an error, solidifying the 6-4 victory.
The Stompers conclude their first week of the season on Saturday afternoon in Napa with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 pm before returning home June 11-14 for their next home stand.