Story written by Stomper intern Sam Basich
Sonoma, CA
Today, the Orange County Riptide (6-5) traveled for the second time in three days to Arnold Field for an attempt at a repeat victory against the Sonoma Stompers (6-9).
The Riptide, unlike the last outing with the Stompers, had a rough start that led to rough games from their three lead off hitters, including an 0-5 performance from lead off hitter, Shane Taylor. However, two consecutive walks would leave two runners stranded for the Riptide in the first. The Stompers would start in similar fashion, stranding one runner in the form of Alex Goveia, who singled for the first of three times in the first inning.
Ironically, the “wine whiffer” of the night, Brandon Burckel, swung at the first pitch he saw from Stomper starter, Noah Larkin, sending the ball cowering over the bleachers in left field. The Stompers would be unable to answer in the second, leaving two stranded after a rough fielding error by the Riptide.
But Alex Goveia would continue his consistency of reaching base, adding his second single and getting around to 3rd base to give 1st baseman Jack Gallagher an RBI opportunity. Gallagher, however, would let Goveia get dirty, as the speedy second baseman would steal home to tie the game up at one through three innings of play.
In the 4th, the Riptide unleashed, as a bases loaded, nobody out situation would lead to a sacrifice fly by catcher Nathan Smith, followed by a one out, two-run double to extend the Riptide lead from 2-1 to 4-1. The rally would not be over though, as the Riptide would add one more on a fielder's choice groundout by Taylor.
Not leaving the inning without a fight, the Stompers would get one run back. Following a lead off double by right fielder Tucker McEnroe, Lomanto would waste no time bringing him across, smoking a double down the line to make it a 5-2 ballgame.
After back to back lead off singles in the 5th, the Riptide would fail to bring the runners across, after a huge defensive stand by the Stompers. The momentum gained on the defensive side would carry over to the bottom half of the fifth, with center fielder Alex Leopard walking, then Alex Goveia adding his third and final hit of the night, pushing Leopard to third base. Mikey Bell was able to bring Leopard in to score, grounding into a fielder's choice. This would make it a 5-3 ballgame after five innings of play.
The 6th inning went by in a flash, with multiple runners left on base by both the Riptide and the Stompers, with continued strikeout troubles for both teams. The Stompers threw a lineup of left pitchers at the Riptide, getting three-and-two-thirds innings from Noah Larkin, a bit of work from Daniel Morehead, a couple innings from Jack Cazin, Christian McInerney and Zach Garcia as well.
The seventh would bring both hope and dismay to Stompers fans, with the Stompers surrendering one more run to the Riptide, coming in the form of a two out fielding error by Gallagher.
The hope would strike again, with Alex Leopard going from first to third on an infield groundout by Alex Goveia, sliding into third. Leopard wouldn’t need to slide again, stealing home plate with ease, pouncing on a passed ball thrown by Riptide pitcher Thomas Di Landri. The struggles of Gallagher would continue, as a groundout would leave another runner stranded for the Stompers heading into the final two innings of play. The score, 6-4 Riptide.
The 8th inning began in disappointment for the Stompers, ending in the same depressing fashion. A lead off error double by Riptide right fielder Nathan Manning would cease to threaten the Stompers, as a tremendous strike em’ out, throw em’ out double play by pitcher Zach Garcia and catcher Colton Lomanto would yet again bring a new life to the Stomper offense in the bottom half of the 8th.
Another huge hit would come off the bay of Tucker McEnroe to start the 8th, ending in a tough baserunning error as McEnroe attempted to run home on a Colton Lomanto single. This would be the last sign of life for the Stompers, with the Riptide shutting the door on any run scoring opportunities in the ninth..
Tune in Monday as the Stompers travel to Fairfield to take on the Solano Mudcats, a team they have battled with in multiple outings. The Riptide continue their road trip Sunday with a game against the Walnut Creek Crawdads, looking to continue racking on wins before they head back south.