Story written by Stompers intern Hudson Stipp
In a Thursday night non-league matchup between the Sonoma Stompers and the Novato Knicks, it was the visitors taking home a 9-7 win in 10 innings. It was the second straight extra-inning defeat for the Stompers.
The Stompers came out hot, scoring two in the bottom of the first off of two Knick errors. Davis Cop and Alex Gouveia came in to score off those errors to make it 2-0 Stompers.
The Stompers starter Garett James continued his momentum from his last start, pitching three shutout innings to start the contest.
More offensive firepower came in the bottom of the third as the Stompers scored two more coming off of an Alex Leopard RBI single, and a bases loaded double play brought the second run of the inning to come in.
The Knicks started their comeback in the top of the fourth with a Braden Holliday Sac Fly bringing across their first run of the game. The Stompers answered in the following inning with an RBI single from Josh Medina.
The Knicks would continue their comeback scoring two in the top of the sixth behind two run scoring singles from Damone Hale and Anthony Pomilia.
Coming into the top of the eighth down 5-3, another RBI from Pomilia and good base running from Desmond Gates tied the game at five a piece. The Knicks would take their first lead of the game in the top of the ninth off of a wild pitch
Down to their final three outs Rees Kent came up big, bringing home the tying run on a Sac Fly to force extra innings.
The Knicks stayed determined however, taking the lead back on a bases loaded walk. Riley Cronin came up with the biggest hit of the night, as his 2-run single extended their lead to three.
The Stompers battled hard in the bottom of the tenth but could only come up with one run, falling to the Knicks in an extra innings 9-7 thriller.
The Stompers next game will be tonight at home against the Lincoln Potters as they try to bounce back after last night’s loss. It is Bark in the Park Night with first pitch at 6:05pm. Get your tickets here.