Ty'Relle Harris cruised to a win in the Sonoma Stompers' home opener Tuesday against the Vallejo Admirals, allowing two runs but striking out 11 through six innings. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations
SONOMA, Calif.– On a cloudless day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, routed the Vallejo Admirals 17-6 in their first game at home.
The Stompers began the season with a nine-game road trip. The home opener was their first chance to celebrate their 2016 Pacific Association Championship, Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza and Manager of the Year Takashi Miyoshi in front of their fans.
“It was definitely something special for me,” Miyoshi said. “(The award) belongs to everybody in the Stompers family, especially my team, who was grinding it out from day one until the end.”
The ceremony also honored 2016 Executive of the Year Theo Fightmaster and Defensive Players of the Year Mark Hurley and Mason Morioka.
“It’s great to be a part of a championship team,” said outfielder Kelsie Whitmore, in her second year as a Stomper. “It’s fun being a part of a team with guys that know what they’re doing, that are great ballplayers.”
ADMIRALS SINK QUICKLY
Vallejo took the lead in each of the first two innings, but never regained it as eight different Stompers drove in runs Tuesday while five recorded more than one hit. Carranza and Matt LoCoco both went 3 for 4 on the night and Matt Hibbert scored three runs while increasing his league-leading number of stolen bases to 10.
Admirals starter Joe Watson got one run of support before he even stepped on the mound, but couldn’t find his command once he got there. He lasted just an inning. He and his replacement, Christopher De Leon, plus two Vallejo errors allowed the Stompers to take a 7-2 lead after two.
Meanwhile, Ty’Relle Harris cruised on the mound for the Sonoma. He struck out 11 through six innings to earn the win–which he credits to good control of his fastball and cutter. In his Stompers debut last week, Harris struck out nine in seven innings and allowed just one run.
Harris, who previously reached as high as Triple A in the Chicago Cubs organization, pitched at Arnold Field for the first time Tuesday.
“The atmosphere was great. You hear fans from the first to the ninth,” Harris said. “Even when I was doing not so well, they still had my back.”
PIAGNO'S DEBUT
Stacy Piagno was one of the Stompers arms that entered the game in relief of Harris, making her 2017 debut in her second year with the team.
“It was awesome. I’m really glad that it was at home because there’s such a family atmosphere here,” Piagno said.
Peoples Home Equity Ballpark swelled with support for Piagno, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd as she entered with a 15-3 lead. Whitmore entered the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning.
“I respect them both so much,” Harris said. “There’s got to be a lot of haters out there when there’s women in baseball. I give those two a lot of credit. They’re out here working hard just like us every day.”
STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.
For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.