Story written by Stompers intern Isaac Sullivan
On Bark in the Park Day, dogs howled and fans hollered as the Stompers cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Lincoln Potters, who delivered a big blow to their playoff hopes.
Despite arriving just 30 minutes before the first pitch, the Potters quickly began their ⁰offensive attack. After an error and a single, Nolan McCarthy doubled in a run, and the Potters had the early lead.
Potters' pitcher Anthony Perez had previously dominated the Stompers, but the first inning was a struggle for Perez. After a walk, a single from Mikey Bell, and another walk, the Stompers had the bases loaded. Perez continued to miss the strike zone, as he forced in two runs with a hit batter and a walk. After an action-filled first inning, the Stompers found themselves up 2-1.
The game had become pitching dominated, but the Stompers changed that in the bottom of the fifth. Bell began the inning with his third single of the game, and Alex Gouveia followed with a single of his own. Jack Gallagher, who has been struggling offensively, broke through with a double to provide an insurance run. Joshua Medina provided another insurance run with a ground out. Nick Mueller joined the hitting parade with a single, and that improved the Stompers lead to 5-1. The Stompers handed Perez his worst start of the season.
Sadly, for the Potters, Bell struck again. After a lead-off walk by Alex Leopard, Bell crushed a two-run home run. Bell had now collected four hits in the game, and the lead was now 7-1.
Base runners were in abundance for the Stompers in the seventh and eighth inning, including a bases loaded situation with no outs, but they could only manage to add one more run. The Stompers held an 8-1 lead heading into the final inning.
The Potters attempted to make an improbable comeback, but they could only muster one run. The Stompers finished off the 8-2 victory, and began the season's closing weekend home stand with a great win.
The final Stompers home game is Saturday night at 6:05 against the Novato Knicks. Fans can purchase tickets here.