COX CLAIMS RELIEVER OF THE YEAR

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers are excited to announce that pitcher Jacob Cox has won the 2018 Pacific Association Reliever of the Year award. “This award means a lot, it shows what a long season of consistent hard work can achieve. However, I definitely couldn’t have gotten it without my team. They’re the ones who always gave me the opportunity to come in and do my job,” said pitcher Jacob Cox.

The former Cal State University Monterey Bay alumnus set the Pacific Association saves record in 2018 with 26 saves, breaking former Houston Astros pitcher Sammy Gervacio’s 2017 record of 18. “The past three years playing for Sonoma have prepared me for the next level by showing me what professional baseball is compared to collegiate ball. The level of competition is much higher and the margin for error is almost non existent,” said Cox.

Since the end of the 2018 season with Sonoma, Cox has been promoted to the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League. “This does not come to a surprise to me. He’s been dedicated to his progression since day one. His mindset to not stay complacent and remain persistent of moving up were vital to his success, I believe,” said General Manager Brett Creamer. “I’m most looking forward to the new experiences and the continual growth of my game to become the player I want to be,” said Cox.

Jacob Cox pitching against the Martinez Clippers, 2018 in Martinez, Calif. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

The Stompers were second in the league with a 4.65 Earned Run Average, and first in saves with 28. “The bullpen was a strong point of our team, and Cox was the backbone of the pen. He’s a great competitor with great tools, I look forward to seeing Cox continue success in his career,” said Manager Zack Pace.

Cox finished his spectacular 2018 season with a 4-0 record and an impressive 2.62 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. “He’s the real deal, and he took advantage of every opportunity that was given to him this past season,” said Creamer. Cox currently holds the Sonoma Stompers record in games pitched (70) and saves (32).

Sonoma Stompers pitcher D.J. Sharabi placed fifth in reliever of the year voting. The San Jose State alumnus finished the season at 8-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched. “Sharabi was a key contributor out of the bullpen for us and was essential to our success as a team,” said Creamer. Sharabi struck out a career high 51 to just 37 hits allowed.

The Manager of the Year and Pitcher of the Year winners will be revealed on Dec. 10. The Executive of the Year will be announced on Dec. 11, and the 2018 Pacific Association MVP will be announced Dec. 12.

MEIMERSTORF EARNS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONORS!

SONOMA, Calif.– Kenny Meimerstorf takes home the 2018 Pacific Association Rookie of Year title. “This award is incredibly meaningful to me. Going into my first professional season I didn’t know what to expect,” said Meimerstorf. The Nevada native attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas where he spent four years on varsity hitting for a .406 average, 41 home runs, 188 RBIs, and 163 runs scored in 157 games. Kenny’s stellar 2013 Senior season earned him 2nd-team High School All-American.

After Kenny’s spectacular High School stint, he attended and played at the University of Arizona for the 2014 season. Kenny then transferred to the College of Southern Nevada, where he hit .282 in 63 games. Meimerstorf finished his college career at Florida International University.

For the Golden Panthers, Meimerstorf drove in 70 runs, hitting 13 home runs and totaling 38 extra-base hits over his two seasons. Battling a labrum injury in 2017 as a senior Meimerstorf performed at a high level hitting .324 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs, slugging .498.

 After a successful 2017 senior season, Meimerstorf signed with the Sonoma Stompers for the 2018 season. For the Stompers, the outfielder homered in eight of his first 20 games as a professional. “Half way through the season when I started to reminisce on how far we’ve come as a team and as a player was truly inspiring. The whole year my goal was to win a championship at the end of the year, but Rookie of The Year was always my second goal. After a year of hard work and dedication I am so happy to receive this award and I’m feeling more driven to work harder for the next season,” said Memierstorf. On June 16th, Meimerstorf hit go ahead grand slam off of former MLB veteran J.P. Howell of the San Rafael Pacifics in a 5-3 victory.

 “Kenny showed us a lot of grit this season. Based on his successful track record, we knew what he was capable of. This season was no different,” said General Manager Brett Creamer. The Bishop Gorman product finished second in the Pacific Association in both runs batted in (74) and home runs (23) while playing in 78 of the 80 games.

“His outstanding work ethic on a daily basis showed with his results. Kenny is well deserved for his award and I look forward to watching him grow throughout his career,” said Manager Zack Pace

Kenny Meimerstorf hitting a home run against the San Rafael Pacifics, 2018 in Sonoma, Calif. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

The 2017 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year winner was Michael Rizzitello of the San Rafael Pacifics who most recently played for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League in 2018. Meimerstorf is the first Stomper to win the award since Mark Hurley in 2015. “We had such an amazing squad and we were a family on and off the field. We had a great group of guys that loved to compete day in and day out. We constantly pushed each other to be better everyday and that’s why we were the best team that has ever been in the Pacific Association… I am beyond blessed to be a part of the Stompers family,” said Meimerstorf.

Meimerstorf also helped the Stompers walk off twice during the 2018 season. Most notably on July 6th vs. The Napa Silverados where Kenny sent a towering fly ball to left field for his second home run of the game. The post game interview can be found here. “In the upcoming 2019 season my goal is to win a memorable championship and to show up with a winning mentality. I hope to move on to a top tier league to compete for a spot and ultimately move on to affiliated baseball to continue chasing my dreams,” said Meimerstorf.

Sonoma Stompers standout pitcher Tyler Sharp finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Sharp’s rookie season consisted of a 6-2 record and a league leading 2.90 ERA. In 80.2 innings pitched, he struck out 79 batters to just 68 hits allowed. The Antelope Valley College alumnus also collected 2 saves.