Stompers Baffled By Conroy, Drop Series To Pacifics

Juan Espinosa was fantastic on Sunday, allowing only one earned run in 7 1/3 innings in his first start of the season.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers 

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Media & Baseball Operations

Coming into this week, there was a simple message conveyed by manager Takashi Miyoshi: Win both series this week against the San Rafael Pacifics and cut their second half deficit down. Sonoma had entered the week down four games in the standings, and had lost nine of 12 against the Pacifics in 2016.

In the first four games of their week long matchup with San Rafael, they won just as many games as they had won all season against the two-time defending champs, putting them in a great position to go one step further and perhaps even tie them in the standings.

That dream went away with Saturday night's loss, but the original goal could still be accomplished with a win on Sunday. Pacifics starter Patrick Conroy would have none of that.

Five days after getting roughed up in a loss on Tuesday, the 2014 Pitcher of the Year bounced back with one of the better starts by a pitcher in the Pacific Association this year, as he threw a three-hit shutout to give San Rafael the weekend series while handing Sonoma a 2-0 loss.

The southpaw threw 113 pitches, including 80 for strikes, and only faced two batters over the minimum, inducing a double play to end the eighth inning after Eddie Mora-Loera reached with a single. Joel Carranza and Matt Hibbert had the other hits for Sonoma, who could never figure out Conroy after seeing him so well on Tuesday night. "Conroy had good stuff today," said Miyoshi, "I told them to be aggressive but he messed with their timing to keep them off-balance."

On the other end, Juan Espinosa was very good in his first start of the season, allowing only one earned run in his 7 1/3 innings. That run came home only after he walked the bases loaded in the eighth, when he ran out of gas after 124 pitches. Before that inning, he had retired 12 straight, but San Rafael took the lead in the first after a Daniel Baptista error and a Chase Tucker sacrifice fly.

With a .500 week against San Rafael, Sonoma still remains four games back of the Pacifics at 6-9, while San Rafael still leads the second half standings by two games over the surging Vallejo Admirals, who finished a perfect week with a weeklong sweep against the Pittsburg Diamonds. 

Sonoma will now have another weeklong series, this time with the scuffling Pittsburg Diamonds. The first two games will take place at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark, beginning Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at StompersBaseball.com and can also be purchased at the box office beginning 30 minutes before first pitch. For more information, call (707) 938-7277 or email the team at info@StompersBaseball.com.

Box Score

Pacifcs Sneak By In 3-2 Win Over Stompers

Joel Carranza hit his 10th home run of the season in a 3-2 loss to the Pacifics. He has reached double digits in homers in three straight seasons with the Stompers.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

There was very little separating the Pacifics and Stompers Saturday night at Albert Park. They had very similar hit totals, and both starting pitchers had solid outings. The only thing that separated these two teams was a few feet. 

Mason Morioka launched a towering fly ball down the left field line with the Stompers trailing by two. The ball went over Johnny Bekakis’ head to the wall and was initially called a home run by the home plate umpire. However, the umpires came together and ultimately decided it was not a home run and Morioka settled for an RBI triple. Carranza scored from first to make it a one run ball game but that would be the last run Sonoma would score in a 3-2 loss to the Pacifics. Joel Carranza brought in the second run on his ninth homerun of the season in the fourth and finished 2 for 4 in the game. 

The two run fifth inning for the Pacifics was the difference in the game against Taylor Thurber. The Pacifics got three straight hits to beginning the inning to load the bases with nobody out. A sacrifice fly by Chase Tucker and an RBI groundout by Jake Taylor brought the runs home and gave the Pacifcs the runs they needed to sneak by the Stompers. Thurber picked up his second consecutive loss despite pitching well in both starts. Thurber went seven innings, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out 4. 

Celson Polanco has had the Stompers number this season and that trend continued Saturday evening. Polanco pitched six innings strong allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out seven. Polanco is now 4-0 in four starts against the Stompers with a 2.97 ERA, and only has one other win as a starter this season. 

The bullpen was solid tonight behind Polanco in three scoreless innings. Julian Esquibel and J.R. Bunda allowed only one hit and two walks, with Bunda earning his 11th save of the season in a clean ninth inning.

The Stomper (29-24 6-8 second half) and Pacifics (30-23 9-5 second half) will play in the rubber match of the three game series with a lot on the line Sunday afternoon. The Stompers could also pick up its fourth win in six games this week against the Pacifics. A win would also bring the deficit in the second half standings back to only two games entering the final month of the season. Sonoma will not face the Pacifics again until August 9 at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available at StompersBaseball.com. Tickets, and Fan Merchandise are also availible inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Contact the Stompers front office for more information at info@stompersbaseball.com. 

Box Score

16 Hit Night Fuels Stompers in 8-5 Win Over Pacifics

Daniel Baptista was one of three Stompers with three hits or more in Sonoma's 8-5 win over the Pacifcs. Baptista was 3 for 6 with a homer and three driven in. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Stompers came to San Rafael with a newfound swagger Friday night. Sonoma began the second half slowly by losing two of the first three series they played. However, the Stompers bounced back with a series win against the Pacifics to begin this week. Sonoma’s offense carried that momentum into Friday with a 16-hit performance in the Stompers 8-5 win over the Pacifics. 

Sonoma’s offense was balanced through the lineup as five Stompers finished with two hits or more in the game. Derrick Fox, Randy Santiesteban, and Daniel Baptista all had three hits or more on the night. Santiesteban has taken the Pacific Association by storm in the first two games he hasplayed with the Stompers. He has six hits and six runs driven in only two games, and he finished Friday’s game 4 for 5 with a home run and four driven in. Fox was on base five times for the second consecutive night and finished 3 for 4 with two walks and two runs scored. 

Baptista had an impressive at bat in the eighth as he launched his third home run of the season over the left field wall. Baptista finished 3 for 6 with three runs batted in. The second-year player went the other way with the pitch on the outside part of the plate, showing he was up to the challenge when the pitch came. “They have been pounding me with pitches on the outside all season long,” Baptista said. “I was looking for a fastball and when I got the pitch I was looking for on the outer half, I trusted my instincts and decided to go the other way.

Jose Flores continued his outstanding success in a late inning role by recording his third save, retiring the final eight outs to do so. Flores allowed only one hit and struck out three to finish things off, and in his five appearances out of the bullpen, he has a 1.25 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

Sonoma (29-23, 6-7 second half) will send Taylor Thurber to the mound to try to keep the momentum going against the Pacifics (29-23, 8-5 second half). Thurber has been nothing short of brilliant since being moved into the rotation, having gone the distance in two straight starts while featuring the second lowest ERA in the Pacific Association at 2.60. 

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

Box Score

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