Sonoma Stompers to celebrate Women in Sports Night July 6

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will celebrate Women in Sports on July 6! 

The Stompers became the first co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950s when they signed pitcher Stacy Piagno and pitcher and outfielder Kelsie Whitmore in 2016. Later that year, Whitmore made history again as she formed one half of the first female battery in professional baseball history with catcher Anna Kimbrell. The Stompers' commitment to the advancement of women in baseball is in partnership with Virginia Dare, a Francis Ford Coppola winery. 

To celebrate women in sports and the Stompers' place in women's baseball history, the Stompers want to hear from their fans. Fans can use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share what Sonoma baseball means to them or a woman they know, or leave a comment on any of the Stompers social media sites. Stories will be featured on game day. 

Find the Stompers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Sonoma faces the second-place Pittsburg Diamonds that night. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tickets are still available for Women in Sports Night here:

GENERAL ADMISSION | RESERVED SEATING

Get 20 percent off of your tickets for July 6 and merchandise online with promo code "THERELISH" thanks to the Relish, which serves up sports for female fans. Since women still make an average of 80 cents to the dollar every man makes, the Stompers and the Relish figured they deserve 80 percent of a baseball ticket. 

The promo code is only redeemable online and does not apply to jerseys. 

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 Sweep San Rafael Pacifics as Veterans Lead Way to 10-6 Victory

Joel Carranza hit a three-run home run in the first inning of Thursday night's 10-6 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– Big swings from the team's veterans lead the way for the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, as it swept the San Rafael Pacifics for the first time this season with a 10-6 victory Thursday. 

"On Monday, I had a meeting and just addressed to everybody what we need to do for this three-game series and they just made a huge adjustment. From the hitters to how they had to pitch, it was successful. I'm very happy," said manager Takashi Miyoshi.

Joel Carranza ignited the Stompers in the first inning with a three-run moonshot that went over the bleachers in left field. It was the 50th home run of his Pacific Association career.

"I've been struggling this series. I've just been trying to do too much, trying to put the team on my back," Carranza said. "That at bat, I tried to slow things down, go back to my approach and things worked out better."

The shot from the reigning Pacific Association MVP came off of reigning Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year Patrick Conroy. Conroy went six innings, allowing 6 earned runs and striking out three.

Yuki Yasuda hit a home run of his own in the fourth off of Conroy, sending the first pitch of the at bat sailing beyond the left-field fence to plate three runs. 

"When Yuki hit the home run, he was kind of hesitating going for the first pitch. So I just told him in Japanese, 'this is go time, you have to swing first pitch,' and he hit the home run," Miyoshi said.

Carranza, Yasuda Matt Hibbert and Brennan Metzger all recorded two hits in the game. 

"There's no selfish players on this team. We're all happy for whoever gets it done as long as it gets done. We just want to win. We have one thing in mind, and that's to win the Championship," Carranza said.

The Pacifics trailed by one in the fourth and two in the seventh. San Rafael managed to chip away at the Stompers' otherwise dominant arms, as starter Scott Plaza came into the game leading the league in wins and reliever DJ Sharabi had allowed just two runs in 13 innings pitched.

The Stompers ascend to 19-5 on the season and 7-4 against the Pacifics, gaining a game on the second-place Pittsburg Diamonds to put them five and a half games up in the standings. The Pacifics fall to 8-15 at third place.

MARTY LURIE NIGHT

KNBR 680 San Francisco Giants pregame and postgame host Marty Lurie was on hand during the game, signing autographs and connecting with fans around the ballpark. Donning his 2014 World Series Ring, Lurie delivered a ceremonial first pitch right on the mark. 

STOMPERS ARE SONOMA

During the pregame ceremony, the Stompers also presented their community partner for last week's homestand, Sonoma Valley Babe Ruth Baseball, with a check for $1,365. Each homestand of 2017 will benefit a local cause.

On Wednesday night, Sotheby's International Realty donated $100 per Stompers run to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. The Stompers scored ten runs. A portion of the proceeds from this homestand will also go directly to Sonoma Valley Boys and Girls Clubs.

UP NEXT AT PEOPLES HOME EQUITY BALLPARK

The Stompers will spend Fourth of July at home against the Diamonds and invite fans to join them at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark for Sonoma's famous fireworks show after the game. 

Women in Sports Night is later in the homestand on July 7, and the Stompers want to hear from their fans. Use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share what Sonoma baseball means to you or a woman you know. Your story could be featured on game night. The Stompers also look forward to celebrating players Stacy Piagno, Kelsie Whitmore and their groundbreaking place in baseball history. 

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 Win 10-9 in Second Walk-Off Victory Over San Rafael Pacifics in Three Games

The Stompers douse Marcus Bradley, manager Takashi Miyoshi and surrounding teammates after walking off against the San Rafael Pacifics 10-9 Thursday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, notched its second walk-off victory against the San Rafael Pacifics in three games with a 10-9 extra-inning stunner Wednesday night.

With runners on first and second per Pacific Association tiebreaker rules, Eddie Mora-Loera and Matt Hibbert lead off the bottom of the tenth with a base hit apiece. Marcus Bradley came up with third hit in a row for the Stompers, scoring a pair and winning the game. 

"Being able to (contribute to a rally) twice in one game, you don't get to do it a lot and it feels good" Bradley said. "When you finally start seeing strikes it feels good. You know you can still swing it and get hits."

It was Bradley that also knocked in the first run of the Stompers' five-run seventh inning, going 3 for 5 on the night, scoring two runs and driving in four. Bradley has quietly been an offensive force this season, leading the team in on base percentage at .512 and walks at 24.

"I just can't take him out right now," said Manager Takashi Miyoshi. "Everything he does is just working out. He's hot and he's taking pitches good and hitting the ball."

Sonoma scored three of their runs Wednesday off of San Rafael starter James McReynolds, who had quieted the Stompers offense through the first six frames.

"In the beginning, we struggled and struggled and struggled hitting McReynolds, but again we stayed focused and stayed in the game and just grinded it out," Miyoshi said.

On the Sonoma side, starter Juan Espinosa did some silencing of his own. The only Pacifics run through six came on an error as Espinosa walked just one and struck out nine in five-and-two-thirds innings. 

Both teams managed only seven hits in that span, but combined for a loud 18 runs in the following innings.

The Pacifics scored three runs off of newly-minted Stomper Zach Wendorf in the top of the seventh, but the Stompers evened the score in the bottom of the inning as first baseman Isaac Wenrich shot a single up the middle to score Bradley. Wenrich scored the go-ahead run and went 4 for five on the night. 

"There's a new hero every night. Tonight, Marcus stepped up and I got a couple hits but it always moves down the line for us," Wenrich said.

The game continued to teeter-totter as the Pacifics responded with two runs of their own in the eighth. In the ninth, the Stompers loaded the bases and tied it up on a Masa Miyadera single.

"This team, we never give up," Wenrich said.

With the victory, the Stompers take the series against the Pacifics and improve to 18-5 at first place in the Pacific Association while the third-place Pacifics drop to 8-14. The final game of the set begins Thursday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field at 6 p.m.

MARTY LURIE NIGHT
Marty Lurie will be joining the Stompers for a game Thursday! The KNBR 680 San Francisco Giants pregame and postgame radio host will be throwing out the first pitch and mingling with fans. Fans will also receive a commemorative photo of Marty, while supplies last. 

Tickets are still available! Purchase tickets for reserved seating areas here and general admission here. 

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 Turn Walks into Runs En Route to 8-4 Victory Over San Rafael Pacifics

Center fielder Matt Hibbert (center) scored three runs Tuesday in the Sonoma Stompers' 8-4 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, never relinquished an early lead against the San Rafael Pacifics Tuesday, winning the game 8-4. 

They did so behind and four-run third inning and a solid outing from starter Tyler Garkow. In five and one-thirds innings of work, Garkow allowed one earned run and struck out nine. 

The last time Pacifics starter Dakota Freese took the mound, he went nine innings and allowed just one hit. This time, Freese went one and one-thirds innings, giving up five earned runs and seven walks. 

"Pre-game, we always have a little meeting and talk about pitchers, and today's focus was making him work," said first baseman Isaac Wenrich "We had to be selective"

"A lot of guys tonight drew walks on 3-2, that's a big part of what we tried to focus on was getting as many runners on base as possible."

Sonoma did not fail to capitalize on Freese's mistakes, scoring five of their eight runs off of him. The Stompers drew 11 walks and stole four bases, but recorded just four hits on the night off of Pacifics pitching. 

"I think it's a testament to what we did that kind of got him out of his rhythm. We didn't really swing at those 'out' pitches. We didn't get to many 0-2, 1-2 counts," Wenrich said. "He threw a lot of balls early and we took advantage of it."

As a team, Sonoma has swiped 64 bags, nearly twice as many as the next-best Vallejo Admirals. 

Center fielder Matt Hibbert picked up his 17th stolen base of the year and scored three of the Stompers' eight runs, while Wenrich drove in two. 

The first-place Stompers improve to 17-5 on the season, while the Pacifics fall to 8-13 at third in the Pacific Association. First pitch for Wednesday's game is set for 6 p.m.

"Our hitters, we take an intense focus into the game and I think its really evident in just how well we're doing this year," Wenrich said. "It's all the way through the lineup, guys on the bench as well."

Marty Lurie

MARTY LURIE NIGHT - JUNE 29
Marty Lurie will be joining the Stompers for a game Thursday, June 29! The KNBR 680 San Francisco Giants pregame and postgame radio host will be throwing out the first pitch and mingling with fans. 

Fans will also receive a commemorative photo of Marty, while supplies last. 

Tickets are still available! Purchase tickets for reserved seating areas here and general admission tickets here. 

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 Walk-Off San Rafael Pacifics 12-11, Take Hard-Fought Series

Scott David scores the winning run for the Sonoma Stompers in the to Sunday's 12-11 win over the San Rafael Pacifics at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, took the last game of a hard-fought series against the San Rafael Pacifics on a walk-off error. 

"It's just a testament to how great of a team we really are and how we're not going to let anybody in this league determine how we play our game," said catcher Isaac Wenrich.

The Pacifics bullpen, which put a cork in the Stompers offense Saturday night, proved porous Sunday. Down to two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Sonoma put together a four-run rally. A bases-loaded double down the left field line from Marcus Bradley was the boiling point, tying the game at eight and sending it to extras. 

"It's unbelievable," Bradley said. "I was just glad to get the tying run in for the team right there. I was just looking for something to hit to get at least one run in." 

In the tenth, Eddie Mora-Loera knocked a ball to Pacifics third baseman Brent Gillespie. Gillespie threw away the ball, allowing three runs to score and the Stompers to walk off. 

"We didn't give up. We came back," said Manager Takashi Miyoshi. "We tried to have a better approach in the end, especially the last two innings... We took pitches when we had to and just executed. They had too much pressure on them and they made a mistake defensively."

The Pacifics took an early lead Sunday, driving in four runs in the first inning. Gillespie, who hit two homers Tuesday night, hit a two-run shot off of Stompers starter Mike Jackson Jr in the frame. Gillespie, Mike Rizzitello and Jake Taylor, who drove in the other two first-inning runs, were the primary aggressors for the Pacifics all series. 

Gillespie ended up with his second two-home-run game of the series. A solo shot off of Adam Ogburn in the fifth put San Rafael up by three. 

The Stompers remain at first place in the Pacific Association and improve to 16-5 on the season. Next week, the Stompers face the Pacifics for another three-game set at home Tuesday-Thursday. 

"It's always good to come out and get that kind of win," Bradley said. "Now, we don't have to have an off day and be all sad. It feels good to beat them because they're our rivals."

The Stompers don rainbow hats on the field as part of "Out at the Ballpark" Night Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

"OUT AT THE BALLPARK"
Stompers pitcher Sean Conroy became the first openly gay player in professional baseball history in 2015. On Pride Night that year, he pitched a three-hit shutout at Arnold Field in his first professional start. His groundbreaking story was recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

"I think to see the support that he got, not only from the gay community but also just everybody here that understood what really was taking place that day, I think that's something that I'll take with me forever. And to catch it, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity. It was absolutely amazing," Wenrich said.

The Stompers celebrated Conroy's legacy and the LGBTQ community at "Out at the Ballpark" night Sunday. Wenrich was the starting catcher.

"For him to come out and throw a complete game on a day like that, the stars aligned," Wenrich said. "It wasn't just about Sean being gay, it was about him being an incredible baseball player also."

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.

Ty'Relle Harris Strikes Out 11 in Sonoma Stompers' 6-4 Loss to San Rafael Pacifics

Sonoma Stompers starter Ty'Relle Harris struck out 11 and retired 14 batters in a row at one point during the Stompers' 4-6 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell to the San Rafael Pacifics 6-4 Saturday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. 

The Stompers remain in first place in the Pacific Association at 15-5, five games ahead of the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds (9-9.) 

"You don't want to stress too much about the loss. We're still the first-place team, we lost a two-run game in which we didn't play our game at all," said Stompers starter Ty'Relle Harris. "Getting a sweep is always good, but our job is to get the series... We're going to come out very hungry tomorrow"

After a six-game win streak in which it seemed nothing could go wrong for Sonoma, Harris was a bit outside of his usual self early in the game Saturday. Harris walked four batters on the night after walking only three through 20 innings prior.

"After yesterday's game, I saw (the Pacifics) couldn't stay back on the breaking ball. So me and (catcher Daniel Comstock) came up with a game plan to kind of throw more breaking balls and changeups. But that's not going to my strengths, that's more attacking their weaknesses," Harris said. "Once we got into the dugout after about the third inning, we said 'let's go back to what got us here.'"

Pacifics starter Quinn Pippin also struggled to find the zone early, allowing the Stompers to take a 3-0 lead in the first. Ricky Gingras, who has been formidable against Sonoma so far this season, struck for the first San Rafael run with an RBI double in the second.

The major blemish on Harris' start came on a single pitch, which yielded a three-run home run by Mike Rizzitello.  

The Stompers evened the score in the fourth off the bat of Yuki Yasuda. Harris found his groove by then, sending 14 Pacifics back to the dugout in order at one point in the middle innings. Through seven and two thirds innings, Harris struck out 11. 

"(Harris) just has immense knowledge," said hitting coach and designated hitter Joel Carranza. "He's been at such a high level in Triple A and having him here on this pitching staff is just a benefit because of the knowledge he brings to us and the competitiveness he brings to this organization."

The Pacifics bullpen proved effective against a Sonoma offense that has been explosive in its last several games, keeping the Stompers scoreless in the fifth through ninth innings. Sonoma came into Saturday averaging 8.9 runs per game. 

A Stompers error on a single to left put the Sonoma in deeper water and San Rafael up by two, knocking Harris out of the game. DJ Sharabi kept the Pacifics from scoring for the remainder of the contest.

Four out of five Sonoma losses this season have come at the hands of the Pacifics. The Stompers will look to secure the series win in the finale of the three-game set Sunday at 5 p.m. 

"It's a competitive series, it's always competitive when we play san Rafael," Carranza said. "As long as we play our game, we'll be alright"

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 Drown Out San Rafael Pacifics 11-3 for Sixth Straight Win

Daniel Comstock rocketed a triple to the corner in center field to put the Stompers up 7-1 in the sixth inning of Friday’s 11-3 win over the San Rafael Pacifics 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 a dominant 11-3 victory against the San Rafael Pacifics Friday, solidifying its place at the top of the Pacific Association and extending its win streak to six.

Scott Plaza pitched a complete game for Sonoma, allowing three runs and striking out four. It was the first complete game by a Stompers pitcher this season.

The Stompers’ offense has rarely failed to deliver run support to its starters this season. 

“I know that no matter what the offense is going to put up at least five runs,” Plaza said. “It gives me confidence to be able to attack the zone a little bit. I know if I give up one, or three, the offense is going to come back and put up 15 a game.”

A double steal play, which has worked well for the Stompers all season, worked again in the third and yielded the first Sonoma run of the game. With Matt LoCoco on first and Marcus Bradley on third, LoCoco took off for second and Bradley raced home on the throw down. 

The play cracked the floodgates for Sonoma. They struck for three runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to secure what turned out to be an insurmountable seven-run lead. 

Three free baserunners (a walk, a catcher’s interference and a hit by pitch) set the stage for Scott David to drive in all three fifth-inning runs. In the sixth, Daniel Comstock hit a ball to the wall in centerfield to put the Stompers up by six.

“I’ve kind of been struggling at the plate for a little bit,” Comstock said. “I’m a hitter, I love hitting. So finally I hit that ball and it felt so good. I think that was the first ball that I barreled since the homer at Vallejo (June 7)”

Sonoma has been a terror on the basepaths all season, but opposing baserunners had to reckon with Comstock Friday. 

“I love working with (Comstock.) He gives me confidence to be able to throw stuff in the dirt and then knowing that he’s going to make the plays, throw out a couple guys at second, made the play on the drop third. It’s just a big confidence booster,” Plaza said.

Comstock made an excellent play on a drop third strike early in the game, diving to his left to field a ball that would have skipped away. Then, his strong throw to catch the Pacifics’ Brandon Montalvo stealing turned the tide in an inning that featured three straight base hits prior. 

“Our goal is no drops, no passed balls, even no wild pitches, we like to pick our pitchers up,” Comstock said. “I’ve been battling arm issues for like three years now… So it’s nice to finally be able to throw and be healthy and play and have fun again.”

Pacifics starter and reigning Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year Patrick Conroy allowed seven runs on five hits in his five-inning performance. The lone San Rafael runs came off the bat of Brent Gillaspie, who struck first with a solo shot in the second and a two-run bomb in the seventh. 

Fittingly, Plaza struck Gillaspie out for the final out of the game. 

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.

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.