Stompers Walk-Off To Win Series Against Pacifics

Derrick Fox reached base in all five of his plate appearances Thursday in a 6-5 win for the Stompers. Fox was 2 for 2 with three walks and an RBI. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

For the second time in the series the Stompers found themselves in a four run hole in the beginning of Thursday night's game. Jake Taylor continued his success from the previous night at the plate, and things were looking very bleak for the Stompers. Yet like Tuesday night's game, this particular game had many twists and turns, with the result coming down to the final inning. 

The Pacifics and Stompers went into the bottom of the ninth tied after the Stompers once again mounted a comeback. Clint Manzo allowed two runners to reach, which brought in Pacifics closer JR Bunda. Bunda has been one of the toughest late inning relievers in the Pacific Association this season with 10 saves coming into the game. Uncharacteristically, Bunda walked Derrick Fox on four pitches to set up a bases loaded situation for the newly signed Randy Santiesteban. The Florida native sent all the fans home happy with a walk off single to left to give the Stompers a 6-5 win.

Playing in his first game for the Stompers, the shortstop definitely made sure that fans would remember his name with a great overall performance. He finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and was great defensively at shortstop as well. “I am here for the team. I will to do whatever this team needs me to do to win,” Santiesteban said. “Whether it means sacrificing my body or an at bat, it’s just about winning. I already feel like I know all the guys on this team and will continue to fight for them,” Santiesteban said. 

Another key element to this comeback victory was a sensational outing from Evan Neiser out of the bullpen for the Stompers. The deceptive left-hander threw 2 1/3 perfect innings to pick up his first victory out of the pen. Neiser was sensational in the series throwing 4 1/3 innings without allowing a baserunner. 

Neiser went through the top of the Pacifics order in the ninth to give the Stompers the opportunity to win the game in the bottom half. Neiser knows who he is as a pitcher and pitched to his strengths well to help Sonoma secure a win. “For me it’s about locating the ball in the right spot and changing the speed so hitters don’t make solid contact,” Neiser said. “I want to put my strengths against other players’ weaknesses. For example, I saw Taylor had homered off of fastballs in the series so I tried to give him a pitch that looked like a fastball to get him to chase,” Neiser said. 

The Stompers got on the comeback trail in the sixth and seventh innings with five runs to tie the game. Fox got the scoring started in the sixth with a double to knock in Caleb Bryson. Fox was 2 for 2 with three walks and a run scored reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Bryson doubled home a run in the seventh and scored the tying run in that inning on a double steal. He finished 1 for 3 at the plate. 

The Stompers now hits the road for a three game series against the Pacifcs. Mike Jackson Jr. is scheduled to pitch on Friday night and has been outstanding in his last three starts. The charter member of the Stompers is 2-0 with a 0.52 ERA in his last two outings, and has pitched into the ninth inning in each of his last three. A win Friday could bring the Stompers (28-23, 5-7 second half) within two games of the Pacifics (29-22, 8-4second half) in the second half standings. 

Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Stompers merchandise and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information about the Stompers, contact the Stompers front offices at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Bats Fall Silent In 3-1 Loss To Pacifics

Eddie Mora-Loera was one bright spot in a 3-1 loss to the Pacifics. Mora-Loera finished 2 for 3 on Wednesday night.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

When a pitching staff allows only three hits in a game, like the Stompers staff did on Wednesday, that team usually wins. On top of that, the Stompers staff allowed only one earned run against their rivals in the San Rafael Pacifics. However, a few miscues defensively and a quiet offensive night led to a 3-1 loss. 

A throwing error made by Mason Morioka in the fifth proved to be a very costly one as it led to two unearned runs in the inning, giving the Pacifics a 3-0 lead. Stompers starter Oliver Garcia also walked two batters in the inning to fuel the rally for the Pacifics. The other run in the game came on a homer to left center by Jake Taylor in the fourth, his ninth of the season. Taylor went 2 for 4 with two runs driven in. Jourdan Weiks was the only other Pacifics batter that had a hit in the game. 

Patrick Barnett went the distance for the Pacifics, allowing eight hits and no walks while striking out four. Barnett was extremely aggressive coming after Stompers hitters, but the Stompers consistently let Barnett work ahead in the count and that was a huge advantage for him. Barnett faced 33 batters and threw 24 first pitch strikes to those batters. 23 of those pitches were fastballs. Even with Barnett challenging the Stompers hitters, Sonoma only swung at six first pitch strikes. Barnett threw 78 of 110 pitches for strikes overall. 

Sonoma scored its only run in the sixth on an RBI single by Joel Carranza. Eddie Mora-Loera had another good night at the plate finishing 2 for 3. Mora-Loera is now 4 for 7 in the first two games of the series. Caleb Bryson also continued his success at the plate in the series with his second consecutive 2 for 4 performance. 

Stomper newcomer Evan Neiser was fantastic with two perfect innings out of the pen, as his deceptive delivery helped keep the Pacifics off balance. Neiser signed with the Stompers after participating in the midseason tryout on July 23. Neiser may be the diamond in the rough the Stompers were looking for. 

The rubber match of this series will be very important for the moral of this club. The comeback victory Tuesday seemed to give The Stompers a lot of momentum. But a series defeat would be deflating after that performance. Sonoma (27-23, 4-7 second half) also needs a win to stay within striking distance of the Pacifics (29-21, 8-4 second half) in the second half pennant race. Gregory Paulino will start on the mound for the Stompers.

Tickets for upcoming home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Fan gear, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information, contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Stompers Overcome Early Deficit To Beat Pacifics 8-6

Caleb Bryson gave the Stompers the lead with a 2-run homer in the fifth inning Tuesday  against the Pacifics. Bryson finished 2 for 4 with two runs driven in. 

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Stompers found themselves in a 5-1 hole after the top of the fourth inning against a team that had given them a lot of trouble this season. A nervous hush fell over the ballpark as the Pacifics continued to pile on the runs and looked to be on their way to another win against the Stompers. But Sonoma found a way to flip the script Tuesday in an 8-6 win against the Pacifics. 
Caleb Bryson began the season as one of the strongest players in the Stompers order knocking the ball all over the park. However, he had come on tough times in recent weeks and saw some of his playing time diminish. He showed a sign of turning things around with a single in his first at bat, and approached the plate in the fifth with Daniel Baptista on base. Bryson got a pitch on the inside from Pacifics starter Patrick Conroy, and he did not miss it. He launched his ninth homer of the season into left and it did not come down until it landed on the roof of the Veteran’s Building over the top of the bleachers.
Sonoma took an 6-5 lead on Bryson’s homer, and battled in the late innings to pick up a game 1 win over the Pacifics. Bryson found his swing again going 2 for 4 but gave credit to his teammates in a great team win.

 “I have to give credit to Baptista for getting on in front of me. I saw a different sequence of pitches with a runner on base. Conroy tried to jam me with a cutter on the inside and I was able to cover it. This was a great team win with everybody hitting through the order,” said Bryson. 
Sonoma’s offense slugged 12 hits including homers by Bryson, and Joel Carranza to erase the early 4 run deficit. The 5 through 7 hitters in the order provided a lot of the offense as they went 5 for 11 with 2 RBIs and 4 run scored. Mason Morioka was 2 for 3, and Eddie Mora-Loera also finished 2 for 3 behind Bryson. But the difference maker in this game was the Stompers ability to take advantage of the Pacifics mistakes.
The Pacifics tied the game at 6 in the eighth inning on a solo home run by Michael McClellan. But the Stompers kept the pressure on the Pacifics in the bottom half of the inning by putting two runners aboard. Yuki Yasuda stepped to the plate with two outs and hit a ball out to centerfield. Zach Pace patrols center field for the Pacifics and is one of the Pacific Association’s best outfielders. But against all odds, Pace misplayed the ball and the ball landed in safely for a double. Both Stompers  runners raced home and to give the Stompers an 8-6 lead. 
Jose Flores came in and finished things off in the ninth to record his second save, and continued his success in his new late inning role. He has looked like a new pitcher since being moved he has become the Stompers closer. 

“I just try to bottle up all of the energy I would use in a start and give it all I got for one inning as a closer," Flores said. "I only have one chance so I have to make sure that I pitch a perfect inning.” 
The Stompers (27-22) look to keep the momentum going Wednesday night at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field against the Pacifics (28-21). Oliver Garcia will get the start for the Stompers and will look to improve upon his last outing on July 19. Garcia struggled to find the strike zone at Albert Park in San Rafael.
Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan gear, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information on the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Complete Game By Thurber Not Enough In 2-1 Loss To Diamonds

Taylor Thurber threw his second consecutive complete game in a 2-1 loss to the Diamonds. Thurber allowed only 4 hits and struck out nine in nine innings. 

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Taylor Thurber has been a sure thing in his three starts since being moved into the rotation. The Stompers were trying to win a series Sunday after starting the week with four straight losses. Thurber had his best stuff Sunday and effectively moved his way through the Diamonds lineup. But that did not tell the entire story in this game. 

Thurber ran into trouble in the third inning when Thomas Shull doubled off the left field wall to begin the inning in a scoreless game. Shadows often are tough to deal with at Arnold Field during these summer evenings. Both Thurber and Diamonds starter Chris Cummins took advantage of the shadows and pitched beautifully. But one play involving the shadows proved to be the difference in the game. 

John Contreras followed Shull and launched a ball out to right field that was hit well but seemed to be playable for Mark Hurley. However, the unforgiving shadows of Arnold Field blinded Hurley’s view and the ball got down for a double. Another run scored in the inning on an RBI groundout by Andrew Rubalcava to give the Diamonds a 2-0 lead. Sonoma’s bats could not fight back from the early deficit and dropped the series finale by a score of 2-1. 

Sonoma doubled up the Diamonds in the hit category and finished with 8 in the game. But the Stompers often could not string hits together as the only Stompers that finished with multiple hits were Matt Hibbert and Joel Carranza. Hibbert and Carranza were also responsible for the only run that came to the plate as Carranza knocked in Hibbert on a sacrifice fly in the sixth.  Hibbert was 2 for 4 and Carranza was 2 for 3. 

The two double plays induced by Chris Cummins were a big reason why Sonoma could not get going. He also used his pickoff move well to keep Stompers runners honest. The lefty went seven innings strong, allowing seven hits and striking out six to pick up his fifth win of the year. Submarine-style pitcher Garrett Granitz followed Cummins and got credit for a six out save for his two innings of work out of the pen.

Thurber threw his second consecutive complete game and was outstanding even in a losing effort. He pitched the full nine innings and gave up only four hits and a walk while striking out nine. Thurber has only allowed 4 earned runs in his last 26 innings pitched, and has been as good as any starter since being moved into the rotation, accumulating a 2.20 ERA in his four starts. 

The next six games could decide the Stompers fate in the second half race. They are facing the San Rafael Pacifics in a week-long series starting Tuesday at Arnold Field. Sonoma (26-22) has struggled against the Pacifics so far this season going 3-9 against them, and they trail the Pacifics (28-20) by four games in the second half standings. If Sonoma’s struggles continue next week against San Rafael, they will probably see their chances of a second half pennant slip through their fingers. But the Stompers will have a good opportunity to get off on the right foot Tuesday with the ace Sean Conroy scheduled to start against San Rafael. 

Tickets for Stompers home contests are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan Merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information on the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com

Box Score

Jackson Jr. Dominates In 8-2 Win Over Diamonds

Mike Jackson Jr. turned in his third consecutive stellar performance in eight innings of work in an 8-2 win over the Diamonds on Saturday. Jackson Jr. struck out eight and allowed only three hits.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Sonoma’s clubhouse has not been as chipper as usually through the first four games of this week. The Stompers had taken four losses on the chin and were frustrated for good reason. One of the leaders in the clubhouse, Joel Carranza, addressed the entire team in frustration Friday after Sonoma’s crushing 13-0 defeat. 

Baseball is an unforgiving game if a team gets into a funk. A team can get into a big hole fast if they do not make quick adjustments. Starting pitcher Mike Jackson Jr. came out on the mound with the weight of four losses on his shoulders and did not back down from the challenge. “It was very important for me to come out here and attack these guys on every pitch and every at bat to give the team confidence. I had to come out and dominate and do whatever I had to do to give our team this win,” said Jackson Jr. 

Sonoma’s bats had been silenced in recent games, but found its rhythm Saturday at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field in an 8-2 victory over the Diamonds. They used the long ball to put five runs on the board in the first three innings. Mark Hurley’s towering homer in the third seemed like it was headed for Boyes Hot Springs and gave the Stompers a 5-0 advantage. Joel Carranza launched his eighth homer of the season to right center field to jumpstart the offense in the first to give Sonoma a 3-0 lead.

Mike Jackson Jr. has pitched in some low scoring affairs, and was very grateful for the help he received. “The offense helped me out a lot tonight. I told them to not put to put much pressure on themselves and just get the runs they could and that I’d take care of the rest. But my teammates gave me a lot of much needed help tonight,” said Jackson Jr. 

Even with the reassurance to his teammates, Jackson Jr. did not need much help on this night, as he was superb in eight innings of work. Jackson Jr. allowed only three hits, one walk, and struck out eight to earn the victory for Sonoma. Both runs that scored on Jackson Jr. were unearned thanks to an error in the fourth. Jackson Jr. is 2-0 with a 0.52 ERA in his last two starts in 17 innings pitched. 

The veteran used his knowledge of the game to his advantage in the win. “I’ve watched a lot of baseball over the years and have learned how to pitch in certain situations. Pittsburg is aggressive offensively and I saw they were chasing certain pitches so I kept attacking those spots. You just have to keep throwing that pitch, and if they help you out, they help you out,” said Jackson Jr. 

Sonoma (26-21) will look to end the week on a high note by taking the series in the rubber match Sunday evening at 5 p.m. against the Diamonds (24-23). Taylor Thurber is scheduled to start and has pitched like an ace since being moved into the rotation, going 3-0 in three starts. This will be an important game to build momentum, as well, as 6 games against the San Rafael Pacifics looms next week.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Stompers gear and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street. For more information about the team, contact the front office at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Whitmore, Kimbrell Make History As First Ever All-Female Battery; Piagno Notches First Hit

Anna Kimbrell, left, and Kelsie Whitmore, right, talk over strategy during Friday's game at People's Home Equity Ballpark in Sonoma, the first all-female battery in the history of men's professional baseball.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Baseball Operations & Media

Anna Kimbrell had always wanted to play professional baseball. At the age of 15, the U.S. Women's National Team had their sights set on Kimbrell, calling her the best female baseball catcher in the country. After joining the team for the Women's World Cup in 2008, she has become a stalwart for the squad, playing for her country and earning five medals in international play.

That same dream was shared by Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno, who joined the Sonoma Stompers officially on July 1 as part of the venture by the Stompers and their premier partner, Virginia Dare Winery. It was Virginia Dare owner Francis Ford Coppola who wanted to give women the opportunity to play professionally in a way that could advance the game forward.

Three weeks to the day after Piagno started on the hill and Whitmore started in left field, Kimbrell joined Whitmore to form the first all-female battery in men's pro baseball history, making them the first female duo to do it since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. 

"A League Of Their Own?" Perhaps. They definitely seemed like they were on their own island, working together in the middle of a buzzing stadium that had seen many travel from miles around to see a bit of history at People's Home Equity Ballpark. They had done it plenty of times before as members of the USWNT, as Whitmore pitched during the 2015 Pan-Am Games with Kimbrell behind the plate.

Kimbrell was also on the other end of history with Piagno during those Pan-Am Games, having caught her no-hitter against Puerto Rico, the first in USWNT history. Piagno wasn't starting on Friday night, but she made her presence felt in the late innings as a replacement at second base. And in the ninth, she fought off a pitch inside just past the pitcher's mound with some english on it, beating out an infield single for her first professional base hit.

2016 has become a season of firsts for the Stompers. They were first half champions. They were the first men's professional team to give women a chance to play in a co-ed environment for over 60 years. Whitmore had her first hit Wednesday. Piagno her first strikeout last Saturday and her first hit tonight. Kimbrell completed the other half of the first all-female battery.

Now they can move forward knowing that they have created a situation in baseball unlike any other. Women have a chance to play; a chance to compete. On Saturday morning, when the Stompers hold a tryout to evaluate talent that could help them down the stretch in what will be a competitive second half in the Pacific Association, women will be a part of the group being evaluated.

That right there is progress.

Stompers Swept By Pacifics After 7-2 Loss

Cody Bishop had three hits on Thursday night to lead the Sonoma Stompers offense. It was his second multi-hit game of the season.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Baseball Ops & Media

The Sonoma Stompers have seen the San Rafael Pacifics take two straight championships. 2014 saw them on the cusp of a first half title, only to be swept in San Rafael needing to win one game to clinch before fading away in the second half. Of course, the 2015 championship was lost on the final pitch of the season to the Pacifics, meaning that ever since the Stompers have arrived, the Pacifics have seemingly had Sonoma's number.

It has been the case again this season, as after Sonoma's 7-2 loss to San Rafael on Thursday night, the Stompers were swept for the first time all season and lost their ninth game out of 12 against the Pacifics in 2016. As good as the Stompers were in the first half of the year to hold off charges by both the Pacifics and the Pittsburg Diamonds to take their second straight first half title, it seems like San Rafael is trying to make 2015 happen all over again.

The Pacifics know that a good second half is their only path to the title, and even then, it would be a one-game playoff like last season. A coin flip in the truest sense of the word, the Stompers know it as well, as they're looking to run the table and win their first title outright. However, in their nine losses against the Pacifics, the most common of themes has been self-defeat.

Whether it has been errors, bad situational hitting, or like tonight, not being able to attack a pitcher who was in the zone most of the night (Winning pitcher Patrick Barnett threw 79 strikes in 112 pitches) the Stompers have not been able to get this particular monkey off their collective backs.

What's good news for the Stompers is that they have 15 of their final 33 games against the Pacifics, meaning San Rafael has to go through Sonoma in order to set up the championship game. Sonoma also has 20 games remaining at People's Home Equity Ballpark, which means the rest of the way, it's favorable for Sonoma to bounce back against their rivals.

Offensively, Sonoma scattered eight hits, with outfielder Cody Bishop leading the way going 3 for 4 with an RBI. Eddie Mora-Loera had two hits and an RBI, as well. Derrick Fox had two hits and his team best 17th stolen base of the season.

Gregory Paulino (3-3) was a bit off his game tonight, only going five innings and allowing four runs after completely shutting down the Pacifics in his last start against them back on July 3. He gave up a two-run homer to Ricky Gingras in the fourth, which proved to be the hit that put the Pacifics ahead for good.

Stacy Piagno pitched the last two innings for the Stompers and held the Pacifics scoreless, allowing only a walk and a single. While she made her fourth appearance of the season tonight (and her first out of the bullpen), she'll be watching like everyone else on Friday night when history gets made at People's Home Equity Ballpark.

Kelsie Whitmore will get her first start of 2016 on Friday night and she'll have a familiar face behind the plate catching her, as US Women's National Team star Anna Kimbrell will make her debut with the team to form pro baseball's first all-female battery since the days of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League over half a century ago.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m., with the gates opening at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are available online at StompersBaseball.com and can be purchased before the game at the Arnold Field box office. For more information, contact the Stompers by calling (707) 938-7277 or by email at info@StompersBaseball.com.

Box Score

Whitmore Gets First Pro Hit, Stompers Again Fall To Pacifics

Kelsie Whitmore got her first professional hit Wednesday afternoon at Albert Park when she singled through the right side on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the fourth inning. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Baseball Ops & Media

Kelsie Whitmore was 0 for 2 when she came to the plate in the fourth inning. It was her first game back after some time away from the Sonoma Stompers, and she was leading off and playing left field on Wednesday afternoon in Sonoma's road matchup with the San Rafael Pacifics.

The Stompers hadn't gotten off to a good start in the game, and Whitmore's at-bat held some importance. Runners were at first and second, and with two outs, it was up to the 18 year old to try and put Sonoma on the board after two trips through the lineup with nothing to show for it.

Down 0 and 2 to Pacifics starter Patrick Conroy, Whitmore was patient at the plate and didn't chase, not even offering at an off speed pitch in the dirt which had struck her out in her previous at bat. When the count was full, Conroy's only choice was to challenge her with the runners going on the pitch.

Whitmore was up for the challenge.

She sharply grounded one through the hole in the right side, and as it got to the outfield grass, it was a historic trajectory both for Whitmore and her team. It was her first professional hit, and in Sonoma's case, it was an opportunity to get on the board.

Daniel Baptista rounded third and headed for home, but after sliding feet first with Maikel Jova's throw coming in, a close call went against the Stompers. Baptista was out, and the Stompers still remained without a run on the day.

Sonoma ended up falling to the Pacifics, 4-2, but Whitmore's single proved to be a highlight that transcended the final score. It was another step forward in the joint venture by the Stompers and Virginia Dare Winery that gives women an opportunity to play professional baseball. The fact the hit came in the situation it did was tremendous for the team, even if the controversial call at the plate dulled some of the excitement.

After her hit, Whitmore's Stomper teammates excitedly yelled to have the ball thrown their way so that she could have the ball she recorded her first hit with. On a Wednesday afternoon with dozens of kids looking on at a Kids Day promotion for the Pacifics, the fans roared with approval, roaring again when it was announced over the PA that it was indeed her first hit.

The other side of the story is that the Stompers lost again to the Pacifics, their eighth loss in 11 games against San Rafael this season. They left nine runners on base and had a couple of situations with runners in scoring position where they couldn't cash in. 

Sonoma will get their opportunity to bounce back against the Pacifics back in the friendly confines of People's Home Equity Ballpark on Thursday evening when they take on San Rafael in the series finale at 6 p.m. Gregory Paulino will get the start for the Stompers against Patrick Barnett.

Tickets are available for the game online at StompersBaseball.com and can also be purchased at the Arnold Field box office 45 minutes before first pitch. It's recommended that people intending to sit in the grandstand behind home plate purchase their tickets ahead of time.

For more information on the Stompers, visit the team's Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma or email the team at info@StompersBaseball.com.

BOX SCORE

Missed Opportunities Key In 5-4 Loss To Pacifics

Mark Hurley swung the bat well out of the ninth spot in the order in the Stompers 5-4 loss to the Pacifics. Hurley finished 2 for 3 with an RBI.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Even with it being early on in the second half, this game had a lot at stake for both the Pacifcs, and the Stompers. Both teams entered with identical 2-1 records, and both had their own aspirations for success after Sonoma took the first half title.

San Rafael did not finish the first half strong, but the Stompers toughest opponent over the last two seasons has been the Pacifics. They are the defending champions, and the Stompers struggled against them in the first half. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and Sonoma has yet to find a consistent winning formula against the Pacifcs.

Like a few games this season against the Pacifics, the game was tight headed to the final inning of play. Sonoma trailed by a run going into their final at-bats. But J.R. Bunda was too much for the Stompers to handle as the right-hander shut down the Stompers to preserve the 5-4 win for San Rafael at Albert Park on Tuesday night. It was Bunda’s eighth save of the season, as he got the final four outs to end the ball game. The first out ended up being the one with most riding on it, as he got a groundout with the bases loaded to keep San Rafael in front.

Sonoma had their opportunities to win the ballgame, but a few costly mistakes and a controversial call made a huge difference in this game. Sean Conroy made two uncharacteristic errors on the mound on pick off attempts. His second error in the fourth led to a run for the Pacifics.

Sonoma’s offense also stranded 10 runners in the game. Mark Hurley and Mason Morioka were the only two Stompers who finished with multiple hits, as Hurley was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. Morioka was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

In the fourth inning, a threat was brought to an end on a controversial call. Yuki Yasuda hit a sharp ground ball with the bases loaded to Jake Taylor who threw to first from his knees. Yasuda and the Stompers thought he beat the throw and was safe but was called out by the field umpire. Yasuda kneeled on the field afterword in disbelief.

That call was a huge moment in the ballgame and could have gone either way. But bench coach Chris Mathews understood that they could not attribute that play alone to the loss. “You can never pick out one play or call and blame a loss on that alone. We made mistakes in this game that put us in this situation. Yes the call was controversial, but we cannot say that was the reason that we lost,” said Mathews.

Celson Polanco picked up his fourth win of the season and his second against the Stompers with a great outing for the Pacifcs. Polanco allowed two runs, five hits, walked two, and struck out 9 in his six innings. An 11-year professional, the veteran did what he did best to defeat the Stompers. “I have played with and against Polanco and he really challenges a lineup. He challenged us with fast balls early in the count, and when he got ahead he knew when to pull the string with the off speed stuff,” said Mathews.

The Stompers (25-18) won’t have much time to dwell on this loss as they will play in a rare weekday day game Wednesday afternoon starting at 12:30 against the Pacifics (24-19). Oliver Garcia is scheduled to get the start coming off a finger injury he suffered on July 10. The Stompers will have a chance to even the race for the second half pennant with a victory. “We need to come out more aggressive, and take it to them, rather than let the Pacifics come at us. We need to stick to our approach and play the game the way we know we can,” said Mathews.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Gear for fans, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street. For more information, contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Stompers To Have First Female Battery In Pro History July 22

Kelsie Whitmore (left) and Anna Kimbrell (right) will become the first female battery in professional baseball history on Friday, July 22 at People's Home Equity Ballpark in Sonoma, Calif. when the Stompers host the Pittsburg Diamonds. Both women are members of the United States Women's National Baseball Team.

Rick Bolen/Sonoma Stompers & Staff Photo/Alabama.com

Stompers Media Services

The Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club – presented by Virginia Dare Winery – have made history already this season by bringing in Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno to the team in a venture to assimilate women into professional baseball.

This journey, which began with Francis Ford Coppola’s belief that women, if given the opportunity, could compete effectively in pro baseball, will take the next step on Friday, July 22. The Stompers welcome U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) star catcher Anna Kimbrell to the team, where she and Whitmore will form the first female battery in pro baseball history.

Kimbrell, 25, has played in each of the last four Women’s Baseball World Cups with the USWNT, where she has been teammates with both Whitmore and Piagno. Kimbrell was the catcher during Piagno’s no-hitter against Puerto Rico in the Pan-Am Games on July 23, 2015.She will be with the team until July 27.

“Anna’s success at the national level with Team USA, her experience catching both Stacy and Kelsie, and her experience playing wood-bat, men's league baseball made her a natural fit for this team and this project,” said Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster, “She's exactly the kind of player Francis (Ford Coppola) was envisioning when he brought this endeavor our way. We’re excited to see what the women can do, and having Anna join the team is just the next step in the advancement of women in baseball. We only wish her schedule allowed her to be with the team for a longer period of time.”

The native of Fort Mill, South Carolina was a standout at the University of Alabama-Birmingham as a softball player during her college days, but has been waiting for this opportunity in baseball for a long time. 

In a post on Twitter from July 14, Kimbrell announced she would be coming to the Wine Country to play the game she loves so much. “Excited to announce that I will be joining @StacyPiagno & @KelsieWhitmore w/ the @SonomaStompers #dreamsdocometrue”.

All three women will be stalwarts of the USWNT when they travel to South Korea in September to take part in the 2016 Women’s Baseball World Cup. It will be Whitmore’s first start of the season for the Stompers, but she has had experience pitching on the USWNT before, pitching to a 1.40 ERA during the 2015 Pan-Am Games.

Sonoma will host the Pittsburg Diamonds that evening, with the historic first pitch set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at StompersBaseball.com and can also be purchased at the Arnold Field box office beginning 45 minutes before the game.

ABOUT THE SONOMA STOMPERS
The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club was founded in 2014 and is a member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. It plays its home games at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, just a block away from Sonoma’s historic plaza. The independent baseball club has had two players in its history signed by Major League Baseball organizations, as Sonoma’s own Jayce Ray was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and Santos Saldivar was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers shortly before the 2016 season. For more information on the team, visit StompersBaseball.com or visit the team’s Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476.

ABOUT VIRGINIA DARE WINERY
Virginia Dare Winery, American wines since 1835, pays tribute to America’s winegrowing heritage. The existence of the 400-year-old scuppernong “Mother Vine,” a variety of muscadine, growing on Roanoke Island, North Carolina is intertwined with the story of one of the first English settlements in the New World. The Colony later mysteriously disappeared without a trace, leaving nothing but a spellbinding story of mythical and mysterious characters – each of which grace the labels of Virginia Dare wines. Crafted with grapes from the finest viticulture regions in California, the wines are rich with characteristics befitting an American legend: Pure. Natural. Distinctive. Learn more by visiting Virginia Dare Winery located at 22281 Chianti Road, Geyserville, CA 95441.