Juan Espinosa's Strong Start in 8-4 Victory Helps Secure Sonoma Stompers Sweep of Vallejo Admirals

Juan Espinosa pitched seven innings of two-hit ball in the Sonoma Stompers’ 8-4 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Thursday at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, won 8-4 Thursday to seep the Vallejo Admirals for the second time this season.

The Stompers extend their win streak to five and improve to 8-1 on the season against the Admirals. They remain four and a half games up in first place in the Pacific Association with an overall record of 14-4.

Sonoma starter Juan Espinosa found some redemption Thursday, allowing two hits and one earned run in seven strong innings of work to earn the win. His last time out against the Admirals, Espinosa allowed five runs and seven hits. 

“It’s much needed. I felt really comfortable out there today,” Espinosa said. “I had been using my fastball too much and I finally made the adjustment, used my offspeed more which is my best stuff. And if I get beat with my best stuff, whatever.”

This time, a solo home run in the fourth inning from league-leader Nick Akins was the only real blemish on his record. 

“Juan and I had a really good approach,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “It was evident all through his whole start. Every pitch that we had to make it seemed like he would make it.”

Wenrich also went 3 for 5 and drove in two while Marcus Bradley scored three of the Stompers’ eight runs on the night. Bradley hit his first home run as a Stomper Tuesday and has been an offensive force since, driving in six runs and scoring six runs in the series. 

“We understand the game,” said Manager Takashi Miyoshi said. “(Admirals starter Marquis Hutchinson) pitched well the first two innings, then we had to make an adjustment because we couldn’t steal a base… So instead of stealing the bases we put the ball in play, hit and run and it just worked.”

Sonoma has been a force on the basepaths, swiping almost twice as many bags as the next-best San Rafael Pacifics at 50 on the season, partially due to Miyoshi’s signature double-steal play. 

NEXT UP

The Stompers return to Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold field Friday for a three-game set against the third-place Pacifics. The homestand will feature Little League Night, a Father’s Day celebration and “Out at the Ballpark” LGBTQ Night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

A portion of the proceeds from the homestand will benefit Sonoma Valley Babe Ruth Baseball. Babe Ruth players in uniform get in free to any game of the homestand accompanied by a parent with a grandstand, Gus the Bus Beer Garden or bleacher ticket. 

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.

Tide Shifts Twice in Sonoma Stompers' Turbulent 16-12 Victory Over Vallejo Admirals

Sonoma Stompers second baseman Yuki Yasuda launched a two-run, momentum-shifting home run in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 16-12 victory over the Vallejo Admirals. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, took a topsy-turvy victory over the Vallejo Admirals 16-12 Wednesday. 

The Admirals seemed unsinkable going into the eighth inning. Trailing by five, Yuki Yasuda launched his first home run of 2017, a shot over the left-field fence to put the Stompers within striking distance. 

“(Yasuda’s) home run just gave us the win because of his attitude. He never quit the game. He showed us he never gives up,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi. “I could tell, how he carried himself, he still wanted to win the game. That affected everybody.”

The Stompers caught a breeze from there, rallying for eight runs in the inning, two off of former Major League pitcher Sammy Gervacio. 

“This game was really going back and forth, momentum going one way then going the other way. We knew when we got to their bullpen, we were going to make those guys work and it happened to work that everybody got to hit that inning,” said center fielder Matt Hibbert.

10 straight Sonoma batters reached base in the frame as they scored eight runs before Admirals pitching recorded an out. The inning ended on three straight strikeouts, but not before the Stompers took a 13-10 lead.

Yasuda and Hibbert combined to drive in eight of the Stompers’ 16 runs in the game. 

“It’s just about making those relievers work,” Hibbert said. “Especially when there’s runners on base, the pressure’s not on the hitter, it’s on the pitcher.”

Stompers starter Tyler Garkow had allowed four Admiral hits and struck out three through four to defend a 5-1 Sonoma Lead before the tide turned and Vallejo struck for five runs in the fifth.

“That was his game,” Miyoshi said. “I just trust him. His stuff, what he does on and off the field, every day I see him at the gym. I can’t take him out. He earned it.”

Sonoma put up crooked numbers in both the second and fourth innings, using a combination of signature Stompers small ball and extra base hits. Vallejo arms kept Sonoma relatively quiet in the middle innings before the wave of baserunners in the eighth. 

DJ Sharabi closed the game for Sonoma, calmly retiring the side in the last inning of a game filled with rogue waves. 

The Stompers remain in first place in the Pacific Association standings at 13-4, four and a half games ahead of the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds (8-8) in the Pacific Association Standings.  The last-place Admirals fall to 5-12.

Action at Wilson Park resumes Thursday at 6:35 p.m. as Sonoma looks for their second sweep of the Admirals this season. 

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.

Sonoma Stompers Storm Vallejo Admirals in 15-7 Victory, Extend Lead in Standings

Joel Carranza hit his third home run for the Sonoma Stompers in three games in Tuesday night's 15-7 victory over the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the Vallejo Admirals 15-7 Tuesday as Joel Carranza hit his third home run in three games.

Carranza added to his legacy as the best home run hitter in Pacific Association history when he sent his 48th career shot sailing over the left-center field fence in the second inning. The win was one of six this season in which the Stompers scored 10 runs or more.

“It’s nice to keep adding on,” Carranza said. “My ultimate goal is to make it so that nobody can catch it.”

Stompers starter Mike Jackson Jr. picked up the win in a rematch with David Dinelli, who he pitched a solid seven innings against on June 14. In Tuesday’s game, Dinelli earned six runs in his four and one-third inning performance while Jackson struck out seven through six.

After Carranza’s shot, the Admirals evened the score on a piece of stellar base running by Tillman Pugh. Pugh took home on an error, but the quick-thinking play wasn’t enough to hold water for Vallejo. Sonoma stormed back in the fourth, using an Eddie Mora-Loera single, a walk and a pair of ground balls to score three runs in the inning.  

“We know how to use our ability in the best way,” said Manager Takashi Miyoshi. “I try to put the pressure on, stealing the bases, and even without hitting, we score runs… That’s the type of game we keep playing well.” 

Sonoma all but decided the matchup in a busy fifth inning. Yuki Yasuda and Scott David led off the frame with two straight singles before a pair of walks and a fiery Brennan Metzger double sent Jackson back to the mound in the bottom of the inning with an eight-run lead.

“Everyone’s going up there, sticking to their approach, doing what their job is and not trying to do too much,” said Carranza, who is also the team’s hitting coach. “That’s the key to our success and it’s going to be the key to our success throughout the year.”

Stompers outfielder Marcus Bradley hit his first home run of the season in the sixth, a three-run shot to put Sonoma up 14-2. 

Six different Stompers recorded RBIs on the night while 10 different Stompers recorded a hit. Scott David and Isaac Wenrich both posted three-hit performances.

The Admirals surged back in the sixth to score four runs, but their late-inning efforts proved futile against the Stompers’ 12-run lead. With the victory, the Stompers improve their record to 12-4 and increase their lead in the Pacific Association to three and a half games while the last-place Admirals fall to 5-11 on the season.

“In baseball, any team can beat anybody on any given day,” Carranza said. “We just try to play to win every game. That’s how we are here in this organization.”

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.

Ayesha Curry to Join Stompers for ZÜPA NOMA Night: Professional Chef and ZÜPA NOMA Ambassador Promotes SuperFood Soup

Ayesha Curry is a professional chef, bestselling author and ZÜPA NOMA ambassador. 

SONOMA, Calif.– In partnership with local SuperFood Soup brand ZÜPA NOMA, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club will host professional chef and bestselling author Ayesha Curry for a night of baseball, local veggies and sippable soup on July 18.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Click Here for Reserved Seats

Click Here for Bleacher Tickets

On ZÜPA NOMA Night featuring Ayesha Curry, Curry will throw out the first pitch and will be promoting ZÜPA NOMA, the ready-to-sip organic soup made with fresh, wholesome veggies and superfoods.

 ZÜPA NOMA is super simple, super tasty and super powered with tons of vitamins and nutrients, which is why the Stompers represent the #SOUPSQUAD on their warm-up shirts.

ZÜPA NOMA is part of local company Sonoma Brands–creating and investing in better-for-you consumer goods.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, Stompers 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.

Upcoming Homestand to Feature Father's Day Celebration and LGBTQ Night while Championing Youth Baseball

Rawhide dons rainbow-colored horns in honor of “Out at the Ballpark”and LGBTQ Night at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field during the 2016 season. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers) 

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations  

SONOMA, Calif.– The next homestand for the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, promises a series of community-oriented events beginning Friday, June 23 through June 25.

The Stompers welcome the San Rafael Pacifics for a three-game set after defeating them on the road over the weekend. The Stompers are 3-4 against the rival Pacifics this season.

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Each homestand of the 2017 season will feature a local Sonoma nonprofit or cause. The next Stompers homestand will champion youth baseball as a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit Sonoma Valley Babe Ruth, a non-profit organization that runs solely on volunteers and fundraising. Supporting the Stompers means supporting Sonoma. 

Babe Ruth Baseball players in uniform joined by a parent with a grandstand, Gus the Bus Beer Garden or bleacher ticket will get in free to all Stompers games during the three-day homestand.

In their home-opening series, the Stompers donated $3,000 to El Verano Elementary School’s after school programs on behalf of longtime Sonoma Valley High varsity baseball coach Don Lyons.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23: LITTLE LEAGUE AND SWEET SCOOPS NIGHT

In addition to supporting Babe Ruth baseball, Friday is Little League Night. Little Leaguers in uniform can also get in free with a parent with a grandstand, Gus the Bus Beer Garden or bleacher ticket.

Additionally, Peoples Home Equity Ballpark will Sweet Scoops cart to its already-extensive food and beverage repertoire for the night. The local creamery will serve up homemade ice cream as the Sonoma Valley heat wave continues.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24: FATHER’S DAY THE REMIX

The Stompers weren’t at home for Father’s Day on Sunday, but the team didn’t forget about local dads. Bring Dad out the ballgame, and he’ll get a voucher for a free hot dog, beer or soft drink on Saturday.  

Kids sporting their best dad-themed duds will also be in the running to receive a prize, which means Stompers fans can break out their best combination of cargo shorts, polos, baseball caps and sneakers (or any other fatherly threads.) 

SUNDAY, JUNE 25: OUT AT THE BALLPARK / LGBTQ NIGHT

June is Pride Month and the Stompers will celebrate the LGBTQ community Sunday in a Sonoma baseball tradition. The Stompers became the first professional baseball team with an openly gay player on their roster when they signed Sean Conroy in 2015, and will look to honor that legacy and all members of the local community Sunday.

First pitch on Friday is 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. 

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.

Carranza's Record-Setting Blast Swings Series Sonoma's Way on Sunday in San Rafael

Joel Carranza had four hits, including a two-run home run in the ninth lifting the Sonoma Stompers to a 5-3 win over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park in San Rafael on Sunday. The home run was the 47th of Carranza's Stompers career, and he is now the all-time leader in career homers in the Pacific Association. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Joel Carranza's ninth-inning home run broke more than just a 3-3 tie on Sunday at Albert Park. His two-run blast also broke the Pacific Association’s record for career home runs, while propelling the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club to a 5-3 victory, and a series win over the San Rafael Pacifics.

Carranza tied former Pacific and Pittsburg Diamond, Mike Taylor’s record of 46 career home runs Saturday night as the Stompers routed San Rafael 20-11. No. 47 came off of Garret Granitz in the ninth inning Sunday, breaking a 3-3 deadlock giving the Stompers a lead they would not relinquish.

“I remember when he hit his first in Vallejo in 2014,” Stompers President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster said. “Never could I have imagined the impact he’d have on this organization, and this league. He’s been sensational.”

Carranza was responsible for four of five Stompers runs in the game, going 4 for 5 on the afternoon. It was the reigning Pacific Association MVP’s two-RBI double that allowed Sonoma to strike first against their Pacific Association Rivals.

The long ball has been the primary source of runs in the series. Both teams combined to hit eight last night, 12 total in the series.

Ty’Relle Harris put up another solid performance for the Stompers, retiring nine straight following a leadoff single. He struck out eight in a seven-inning, six-hit, three earned run outing.

2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year Patrick Conroy took the mound for San Rafael, allowing three earned runs and five hits in four and two-thirds innings.

The Stompers sit at first place and improve to 11-4 on the season after becoming the first Pacific Association team to reach double-digit wins Saturday.

Next weekend’s homestand will feature a rematch with the Pacifics, the first time the Stompers will face them at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field in Sonoma. The homestand will also include Little League Night on Friday, a remixed Father’s Day celebration Saturday and “Out at the Ballpark” LGBTQ night Sunday. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend tilt will directly benefit Sonoma Valley Babe Ruth youth baseball. The Stompers donated $3,000 to El Verano Elementary School’s after school program during their opening home series.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, Stompers 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.

Sonoma Stompers Open Floodgates Against Pacifics as Joel Carranza Ties League Career Home Run Record in 20-11 Victory

Joel Carranza hit a home run in the first inning of Saturday’s 20-11 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. The jack tied the Pacific Association record for career home runs. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, got double-digit runs of revenge against the San Rafael Pacifics with a 20-11 victory Saturday.

 “It was like a fireworks show, it was fun,” said designated hitter Joel Carranza “Everybody was relaxed, and that’s the key to our success”

A seventh-inning grand slam by the Pacifics’ Ricky Gingras drowned a Sonoma lead Friday, but Manager Takashi Miyoshi’s Stompers used the long ball to put San Rafael in deep water early Saturday.  

“(Miyoshi) let us know that obviously wasn’t good enough, and we had to come in with a little better focus today,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “Yoshi always sticks with us. The coolest part about it is he never shows the emotion to knock us down, it’s always to build us back up and today was just a testament to that.”

 In the first at bat of the game, Matt Hibbert hit a solo shot to left. Pacifics starter Ben Herrick gave up two home runs, two hits and three walks before recording an out against the Stompers. The start was the first of the Sonoma State product’s professional baseball career.  

“It’s always fun to open up on a big inning against the Pacifics. There’s such a rivalry between us,” Carranza said.  

One of those home runs came off the bat of Carranza, the reigning Pacific Association Most Valuable Player. The shot tied former Pittsburg Diamond and San Rafael Pacific Mike Taylor’s all-time Pacific Association record for career home runs. Carranza has been with the team since its expansion year of 2014. He lead the league in home runs that season.

“It’s quite a feat to accomplish. It’s one of the best feelings, besides winning the championship,” Carranza said. “Now it’s to take that step and (break the record.) Hopefully it will happen tomorrow.”

The Stompers hit five home runs in the game, two from Isaac Wenrich. Kevin Farley also recorded his first professional home run in the sixth to give the Stompers a 19-5 lead.

Two San Rafael outfielders (Kyle Aide and Brandon Montalvo) took the mound in the matchup.

“Baseball can change so easily from one day to the next. You can be 0 for 4 one day with three Ks and the next day you can have two or three extra base hits,” Farley said. 

In the series, the Stompers and Pacifics have combined for 10 home runs. Sonoma will return to San Rafael for a 1:05 p.m. series-deciding game Sunday for a rubber match featuring 2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year Patrick Conroy against Ty’Relle Harris, who has emerged as a dominant force on the mound since his Stompers debut June 7. 

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.

Late-Inning Surge Decides Sonoma Stompers' 8-4 Loss to San Rafael Pacifics

Brennan Metzger slides into home to put the Sonoma Stompers ahead 4-3 in the top of the seventh inning in Friday’s 8-4 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, came back against but fell to the San Rafael Pacifics 8-4 Friday.

Brennan Metzger silenced Albert Park in the top of seventh, knocking a two-RBI double down the left field line, then taking third on an error before flying down the same line to score on a wild pitch. Metzger’s knock allowed Sonoma to take advantage of two walks from the San Rafael bullpen. The bullpen allowed four walks in the inning, which featured three different pitchers.

In the bottom of the frame, Ricky Gingras issued an even more deafening blow. His grand slam off of Adam Ogburn put the Pacifics up 7-4. 

An opposite-field, first-inning solo home run by Jake Taylor was the first blemish on Juan Espinosa’s start for the Stompers. A pair of hard base hits down the foul lines stung Espinosa again in the second as the Pacifics took a 2-0 lead.  

Matt LoCoco scored the first run for Sonoma in the fifth, knocked in by team-RBI leader Matt Hibbert. Third baseman Eddie Mora-Loera was on fire again Friday, going 2 for 3 with a walk following a 3 for 4, three-RBI performance Thursday.

Sonoma still sits atop the Pacific Association at 9-4, with the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds one game back at 7-5.  

The third-place Pacifics are responsible for three out of four Stompers losses on the season. Sonoma will look for redemption Saturday in San Rafael with Game 2 scheduled to begin at 5:05 p.m.

The three-game set is the second series of the season between the Stompers and Pacifics, both of which have been at Albert Park. Sonoma will face San Rafael for the first time at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark on Friday, June 23.

The Stompers came into the game off a sweep of their first homestand of the season, a mid-week series against the Vallejo Admirals.

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.

Eddie Mora-Loera Ignites Offense as Sonoma Stompers Sweep Vallejo Admirals in Opening Homestand

Eddie Mora-Loera went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a home run in Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, secured their second sweep of the season with a 5-1 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Thursday.  

The last game of the Stompers’ opening homestand at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field began as a pitchers’ duel. Sonoma starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight in seven innings while Admirals’ starter Brent Adheen allowed four hits through six.

Both arms kept the scoreboard at zero throughout most of the game until Eddie Mora-Loera struck first for the Stompers in the sixth. Mora-Loera had already hit one double in the game before sending a towering home run to left field. It was the first Sonoma home run of the season at Arnold Field.

“I love it. The people (at home) are so supportive–the fans, the host families. They’re behind us all the way,” Mora-Loera said. “It’s always good to do it for them.”

The Admirals were quick to even the score in the next inning as catcher Andrew Rubalcava hit one of his own to right, but the Stompers struck back in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases by taking advantage of an Admirals error and a well-placed bunt. They didn’t miss any opportunities after that, as Scott David and Mora-Loera hit a pair of two-RBI base hits to keep the Admirals at bay.

“The Sonoma Stompers are a really good team right now. Up and down the lineup you have a lot of experience,” Mora-Loera said. “Somebody’s going to have the big hit. I just got lucky.”

DJ Sharabi and Ryan Richardson retired six out of the seven batters they faced in relief of Garkow, proving the Stompers’ bullpen a nearly-impenetrable force on Thursday.  

“(The bullpen) is doing their job,” Mora-Loera said. “They’re hitting their spots, they’re throwing offspeed pitches. They’re pitching, they’re not just throwing.”

Sonoma entered the game as the only team in the Pacific Association with a record of over .500. The victory secures the second series sweep of the season for the Stompers, who outscored Vallejo 26-9 in the series.

The Stompers have a knack for opening days as they also swept their season-opening series against the Pittsburg Diamonds.

Sonoma improves to 9-3 on the season, two games ahead of the next-best Diamonds in the Pacific Association standings. The team heads to San Rafael on Friday for a weekend series against the rival Pacifics.  

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.

Sonoma Stompers Make Offensive Roar Late in 4-2 Comeback Victory over Vallejo Admirals

Tommy Lyons entered Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Vallejo Admirals in the seventh inning and recorded a single to right. His father, Don, a stalwart of the Sonoma baseball community, was honored in a pregame ceremony. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– After winning by 11 runs Tuesday, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, scored only one until the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over the Vallejo Admirals.

After a rocky first couple of innings, which gave Vallejo an early 2-1 lead, Stompers starter Mike Jackson Jr. settled in to record 11 strikeouts through seven. Jackson retired eight Admirals in order before being replaced by Adam Ogbun in the eighth.

“When I settled down, my slider and splitter were working pretty good,” Jackson said. “Once (catcher Isaac Wenrich and I) sort of got that roll going together we couldn’t be stopped.”

Ogburn proceeded to record a strikeout before a loud 6-4-3 double play ended the inning. With the electrifying performances on the mound, the momentum shifted to the Stompers.  

A Brennan Metzger single incited a chain reaction of opportunities for Sonoma, including two errors and a balk. With a couple of well-placed bunt singles and quick thinking, the Stompers scored two runs before they even recorded an out against Vallejo reliever Josh Evans.  

“This is a game of momentum, so we just took advantage of it,” said Manager Takashi Miyoshi.

Ogburn struck out the Admirals in order in the top of the ninth, deciding the game for the Stompers.

“He’s a bulldog on the mound. Since last year, he’s always that way,” Miyoshi said. “After I sent him to the mound tonight, I didn’t worry about anything.”

With the win, Sonoma improves to 8-3 on the season and puts them two games ahead of the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds in the Pacific Association standings.  

HONORING DON LYONS

Don Lyons (center) accepts a gift from the Stompers organization during a pregame ceremony Wednesday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

In a ceremony prior to the game, the Stompers recognized longtime Sonoma Valley High varsity baseball coach Don Lyons for contributions to the Sonoma community. Family members spoke to the crowd about his love of the game, resilient personality and hardworking character.

“When I was a freshman in college at Sonoma State, one of the things they do on the first day is ask you to fill out a baseball biography, specifically what your favorite baseball memory is. At the time, I wrote down winning an NCS championship,” said Lyons’ son, Tommy Lyons. “I remember, not an hour later, I thought that was the wrong answer because my favorite baseball memories were just taking BP off my dad.” 

Tommy Lyons, who was one of the first players signed by the Stompers in their expansion year of 2014, entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh, hit a single to right and stayed in at first base.

“That’s something we can give back to his father. His father is a legend in this community and has done so many good things for the kids in baseball,” Miyoshi said. “What an honor to give him back something special like that.”

A portion of the proceeds from the entire opening homestand will be donated to El Verano Elementary School’s after school programs in Lyons’ name. The Stompers will also be accepting donations on his behalf.

“Watching my sons grow up and play the game, it's hard to describe,” Don Lyons said. “I am so lucky to be part of Sonoma baseball. We're all part of the same family.” 

Each Stompers homestand in 2017 will feature a local nonprofit or cause. 

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.