By Stompers Staff
On Saturday night, the Sonoma Stompers played in their first extra inning game of the season, winning a 2-1 pitching duel via a balk from Alameda Merchants’ pitcher. The pitching and defense headlined the effort from Sonoma. Manager Zack Pace commented on this, praising his six pitchers, “who all did great” and the strong effort from catcher Rudy Gonzalez, who had “some big time blocks. With runners on third, selling out with his body…” This defense kept the Merchant offense quiet, who only scored one, in the third inning.
The winning pitcher, Mick Kelley, threw the ninth and tenth, striking out three and getting out of two jams. Asantay Wilson was the losing pitcher, balking in Rudy Gonzalez in dramatic fashion. The six Stompers hurlers combined for eleven strikeouts, with Destin Allen-Fox starting it off with two strong innings.
Gonzalez also had the first RBI for Sonoma, knocking in Paul Contreras to take the early lead. After the Merchants tied in the next inning, the game remained notched at one until the tenth. The Merchants threatened in the tenth, starting off with a runner on second. After a passed ball, the Merchants runner, Xavier Lecours, moved to third. But, another defensive gem by second baseman Alijah Ramos got Lecours out as he slid into home. The Merchants loaded the bases after that, via a double and intentional walk. With two outs, Kelley forced a ground ball to shortstop Trent Abel, who fumbled it at first but glove-flipped it to Ramos right before the runner slid into second, getting Sonoma out of the jam.
This set up the bottom of the tenth for the Stomps offense. Gonzalez started at second base and advanced to third on a Ramos’ single. After a Luke Rossi strikeout, Jack Scheri stepped to the plate with two outs. The count reached 1-2 amidst some arguments from Sonoma’s bench that the Merchants’ pitcher was balking, by not coming completely set. On the next delivery, the home plate umpire called the balk, which allowed Gonzalez to walk in and score the winning run.
The Stompers move to 6-5 in CCL play, moving them to fourth in the division. Sonoma looks to build up off the dramatic win, facing Alameda at home once again. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, making it the first day game at Arnold Field of the season. So make sure to bring water and some sunscreen for some day baseball! The game will be livestreamed, as always, on our YouTube as well!