Story written by Stompers intern Isaac Sullivan
The Stompers continued to play competitive baseball against the West Coast Kings after splitting a double header with the Solano Mudcats Saturday.
Ground Ball hits ambushed Stompers' pitcher Tyler Stout and the defense to start the game. To make matters worse, Stout struggled to find the strike zone. The Kings' entire lineup came to the plate in the inning, producing three singles, a double, and a couple walks. Before the Stompers had a chance to bat, they found themselves down 3-0.
Kings' pitcher Rocco Borelli also had difficulty commanding his pitches. He walked the first two batters in the bottom of the first inning, and that would cost him two runs after Michael Bell's RBI single. The Stompers had cut the deficit to 3-2 after one inning.
The Kings were able to extend their lead in the third inning. Stompers pitcher Garrett James was called to the mound, and his first pitch was crushed to the bleachers. A single and an error allowed another run to score. The Stompers were now down by three runs again; the score was now 5-2.
The Stompers put up a valiant comeback effort in the bottom of the ninth inning, as Nick Mueller led off the frame with a double. Connor Blough's single put runners on the corners, and Joshua Medina, who had pitched the top of the ninth, singled in Mueller. At this point, everyone at Arnold Field felt a walk-off win in the making.
The Stompers would need consecutive hits as they were down to their last out and still facing a two-run deficit. Bell continued his stellar offensive performance with an RBI single, bringing in Blough, and the Stompers had the tying run at second base. Alex Gouveia, in the biggest moment of the game, drilled an RBI single in his first at-bat of the night. Medina sprinted home to tie the game at five apiece.
Stomper fans hoped for a game-winning hit, but the patience of Christian Reynolds and Justin Durflinger won the game. Reynolds worked a walk to load the bases, and Durflinger also walked, which forced the winning run in. The Stompers had won 6-5, leaving the many King fans in attendance very disappointed. Stomper fans, however, rejoiced as the team celebrated the walk-off win on the field.
Along with the thrilling win, the Stompers had something else to cheer for. Stompers' pitcher Jake McCoy made his summer debut. McCoy made his impressive appearance in the eighth inning. He allowed no hits and just one walk in his single inning of work.
The Stompers have the day off tomorrow, and their next game will be back at Arnold Field on Tuesday against the Healdsburg Prune Packers. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm.