VALLEJO, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers looked to take out their frustrations on Vallejo after the poor offensive showing on Thursday night against Napa, and they did, slugging their way to a big victory.
The Stompers were tasked with facing south paw Mike Melendez (4-3) who has had success this year against them. Pedro Barrios and Dondrei Hubbard led of the game with back-to-back singles. Chris Kwitzer walked to load the bases and with 1 out Jacob Barfield walked to drive in the first run of the game. With 2 outs, Miles Williams walked to double the lead 2-0, as the Stompers took advantage on an erratic Melendez in the 1st inning.
Rayson Romero led off the top of the 2nd inning with a single and came in to score when Hubbard reached on an error by second baseman Aaron Brill. Hubbard later scored on a wild pitch, doubling the lead 4-0.
Hubbard added to the lead in the top of the 4th inning with his Pacific Association leading 12th home run, a 2-run blast to left field to make it 6-0 Stompers.
The home runs were not finished. Dariel Checo came in for Vallejo in the top of the 5th inning and allowed a solo homer to Brent Gillespie (4) to lead off the inning and a 3-run blast to Hubbard (13) his second of the contest to put the Stompers way out in front 10-0.
Vallejo scratched one across in the bottom of the 5th inning, taking advantage of a tired Vijay Patel (4-1) when he walked in the first Admirals run to make it 10-1.
Patel tossed 5 no-hit innings and ended with 1 run against him while waling 6 and striking out 2.
The Stompers got that run back in the top of the 6th inning on a Jacob Barfield laser home run to left, extending the lead 11-1.
Willie Ethington (3-0) was the first man out of the bull pen for Zack Pace and he did not last long. After 4 walks, a grand slam and 5 runs later, Ethington was pulled for Marshall Shill who finished the inning but the damage was done as Vallejo inched closer 11-6.
In the top of the 8th inning, Miles Williams launched a 2-run opposite field shot to extend the lead to 13-6. 2 hit-by-pitches and walk loaded the bases as Rob DeAngelis walked to drive in another run and make the score 14-6.
Marshall Shill, George Faue, Ethan Gibbons and Connor Leedholm tossed 3 2/3 shutout innings to end the ballgame and solidify the Stompers win.
The Stompers are in Napa on Saturday at 1:05 before returning home in Sunday at 1:05 for Military Appreciation Day.