Sonoma Stompers to host Vernon Davis in Partnership with Sonoma Brands

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will host former San Francisco 49ers Pro-Bowl tight end Vernon Davis on July 21. The event is in partnership with Sonoma Brands.

The longtime 49er and Super Bowl Champion will be on hand to mingle with fans and throw out the first pitch. Davis will also be promoting the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts, which champions art education and appreciation and awards scholarships to dedicated art students.

In collaboration with the Vernon Davis Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from the July 21 game will go to directly to art and music programs at the Presentation School in Sonoma.

Fans at the game who check in to “Sonoma Stompers Home Game” on Facebook will receive a discount on a Stompers-branded Vernon Davis No. 85 tee. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tickets available here:

GENERAL ADMISSION | RESERVED SEATING

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 Take 1-0 Victory over Pittsburg Diamonds Behind Taylor Thurber's Gem, Carranza's Homer

Taylor Thurber shut out the Pittsburg Diamonds through seven innings in Tuesday's 1-0 Victory for the Sonoma Stompers at Winter Chevrolet Stadium. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Taylor Thurber shut out the Pittsburg Diamonds through seven innings in Tuesday's 1-0 Victory for the Sonoma Stompers at Winter Chevrolet Stadium. (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, won 1-0 behind an excellent effort from starter Taylor Thurber.

Thurber allowed five hits and issued just one walk in seven innings pitched, keeping the Diamonds scoreless in that span. He played all of last season with the Stompers and headed to the American Association before returning to Sonoma.

“In a close ball game like that, you want to make sure you’re making your pitches and staying dialed in. When the game is on the line, it can be turned over just like that,” Thurber said.

Sonoma threatened to score several times, but left 12 players on base. Six different Stompers recorded base hits in total Tuesday, but Joel Carranza was the only one to cross the plate. Carranza delivered a soaring home run to left center field in the first inning.

“In a game like this, we need him,” said Manager Takashi Miyoshi. “I’m just not surprised at all. This is who he is. This is the reason why we won the Championship last year.”

On the Pittsburg side, starter Corey McDonald’s only blemishes were Carranza’s dinger and four hits. The Pittsburg bullpen kept Sonoma scoreless in the last three frames despite issuing four walks.

The game ended with a flourish, as Jacob Cox made an excellent play on a high chopper to field the last out of the game.

“It’s a thrill watching him finish it off like that. I trust him all the way,” Thurber said.

Cox retired the Diamonds in order and earned the six-out save.

“He started studying about hitters in the bullpen,” Miyoshi said. “Now, he takes a memo every time he’s in the bullpen and how he prepared for the game changed him for the better.”

The Stompers play their next five games against Pittsburg and improve to 24-10 on the season in first place, while the Diamonds drop to 20-14 at four games back. Sonoma has to win just one more game in order to clinch the Pacific Association first-half title.

“Before we came here, I told them ‘play like family, stick together.’ I didn’t even talk about the numbers tonight because I’m really satisfied with what they have done this season. I have no complaints. I trust them a lot and if like play just like they have been, they’re going to win. We just have to stay the same team,” Miyoshi said.

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 Fall 4-0 to Vallejo Admirals Despite Solid Start from Juan Espinosa

Juan Espinosa struck out eight Vallejo Admirals in the Sonoma Stompers' 4-0 loss Sunday night at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Juan Espinosa struck out eight Vallejo Admirals in the Sonoma Stompers' 4-0 loss Sunday night 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, squandered a strong start from Juan Espinosa in Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Vallejo Admirals. The defeat gave the the Stompers their first series lost to Vallejo and was the first time Sonoma has been shut out all season.

The Stompers managed just three hits against Vallejo starter Marquis Hutchinson, who kept Sonoma scoreless in eight strong innings. Before loading the bases in the eighth, Eddie Mora-Loera’s two walks on the night were the Stompers’ most substantial offense while Hutchinson was on the mound.

“I was just focusing in on a couple pitches. That’s what I was looking for, that’s what my timing was and I just let it happen,” Mora-Loera said.

With the bases loaded in the eighth, Isaac Wenrich hit a hard fly ball to deep left that landed in the glove of the Admirals’ left fielder. Mora-Loera made noise again in the ninth with a hard base hit to left, but nothing came of the effort.

On the Stompers’ side, Juan Espinosa delivered his 4th excellent start in a row. Espinosa struck out eight in eight and one-thirds innings, only allowing three first-inning runs and retiring the Admirals in order six times. At one point, Espinosa retired 16 Admirals in a row.

“Especially here at home, (Espinosa) mixes up his pitches really well, keeps guys off balance, their timing off,” Mora-Loera said.

Dominic Topoozian made his professional debut Sunday night. Signed to the Stompers the same day, Toopozian issued a walk and recorded a strikeout.

With the Pittsburg Diamonds’ victory earlier in the day, the Sonoma’s magic number to clinch the first half becomes four. The Stompers (23-10) head to Pittsburg (20-13) Tuesday for a three-game set before hosting the Diamonds at home over the weekend.

“I think it only feels like a losing skid because we’ve won so many games,” Mora-Loera said. “I think with baseball, if we keep playing hard it’s going to come our way. There’s no time to panic, really.”

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.

Joel Carranza and Brennan Metzger Homer In Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 Loss To Vallejo Admirals

Brennan Metzger homered for his second time in three games in Saturday night's 6-5 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

Brennan Metzger homered for his second time in three games in Saturday night's 6-5 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)

Geoff Safford / Director of Broadcasting

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery fell just short to the Vallejo Admirals in a 6-5 loss Saturday.

It was the first time the Admirals won a game at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

“The ball just did not bounce our way tonight,” said third baseman Eddie Mora-Loera. “But we know we have a great team in many aspects so we just need to focus on coming back strong tomorrow.”

With the game tied at three headed to the eighth inning, Vallejo put a rally together against DJ Sharabi, one of Sonoma’s toughest relievers. Sharabi allowed a walk and two hits before departing with the bases loaded. Adam Ogburn allowed all three runs to come home in the inning as the Admirals took a 6-3 lead.

Vallejo also rallied for three in the fourth inning, taking a 3-2 lead. The biggest blow came on a two-RBI single by David Kiriakos that bounced off of second base and into right center.

Mora-Loera delivered in the eighth with a two-out, two-RBI single of his own to put the Stompers within one run, but it was all Sonoma would muster. Mora-Loera finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Both Joel Carranza and Brennan Metzger homered in the loss. Carranza is now tied for second in the Pacific Association with eight home runs. Metzger’shot was his second home run in three games and extended his hitting streak to six games. He has a hit in nine of his last eleven contests.

“I struggled a little bit at the beginning of the season but never felt bad about what I was doing from a preparation standpoint,” said Metzger. “I never let my confidence run away from me I knew that eventually I would get locked in.”

The loss the allowed the Pittsburg Diamonds (19-13) to creep closer to the first-place Stompers (23-9). The Diamonds now trail Sonoma by four games in the first-half pennant race. With a set of six games against Pittsburg on the horizon, Sunday’s rubber match against the Admirals becomes crucial for Sonoma on the hunt for its third straight Pacific Association first-half pennant.

“We need to go out and play with the swagger that a first place team should have,” said Metzger. “If we go out and play loose I think that things will go our way.”

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.

Two Big Innings Back Mike Jackson Jr.'s Nine-Strikeout Outing in Sonoma Stompers' 5-1 win over Vallejo Admirals

Mike Jackson Jr. struck out nine in his six-inning outing in the Sonoma Stompers' 5-1 win over the Vallejo Admirals on Friday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Mike Jackson Jr. struck out nine in his six-inning outing in the Sonoma Stompers' 5-1 win over the Vallejo Admirals on Friday 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, defeated the Vallejo Admirals 5-1 Friday night behind a solid performance from starter Mike Jackson Jr.

Jackson, who came in second in Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year voting last season, struck out nine in his six inning performance. He allowed just five hits in that span and shut out the Admirals, setting up the Stompers for success with a 5-0 lead.

“(Manager Takashi Miyoshi) talked to me and told me what was wrong in my last two starts,” Jackson said. “I made an adjustment, talked to him, talked to (catcher Isaac Wenrich), buckled down and got the job done.”

Jackson came into the game with a 14.25 earned run average in his last three starts and had allowed 16 runs on 24 hits in nine innings in his last two starts against Vallejo.

“It was definitely fun back there to have Mike on his game again, making every pitch. I think it keeps it a lot looser out there,” Wenrich said.

To back up Jackson’s outing, Brennan Metzger scored on a wild pitch and Masa Miyadera drew a bases-loaded walk for two runs in the fourth. Despite only managing one hit through four, the Stompers knocked three base hits in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.

It was a team effort as five different Stompers were responsible for the night’s runs.

The Admirals scored their only run in the seventh on an RBI double. Starter David Dinelli left in the third with an injury after allowing the first two Stompers runs. His replacement, Eli Garcia, was responsible for the last three.

The Stompers came into the game off of just their second series loss of the season.

“We just had to talk about why we lost those two games. We want to make an adjustment, so we try to focus on making an adjustment against this team and we bounced back pretty well,” Miiyoshi said. “I’m just very happy”

With the victory, the Stompers improve to 23-8 on the season while the Admirals drop to 8-21. With the second-place Pittsburg Diamonds’ walk-off win over the San Rafael Pacifics Friday, Sonoma’s magic number is now at four to clinch the first half.

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 Drop Second Series of Season with 6-5 Extra-Inning Loss to Pittsburg Diamonds

Brennan Metzger (right) hit a two-run home run in the Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday. (James W. Toy III, Sonoma Stompers)

Brennan Metzger (right) hit a two-run home run in the Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday. (James W. Toy III, Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, lost their second series of the season with a 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday night.

The series was only the second between the two teams in 2017, as they haven’t faced each other since the Stompers swept Pittsburg in the first series of the season.

“We’ve just got to keep playing our game. It just goes to show that Pittsburg is a much better team than they were the first three games of the season,” said Stompers left fielder Brennan Metzger.

The Stompers’ only runs prior to the tenth came off of the bat of Metzger, who hit a two-run home run in the sixth that hit the top of the press box in left field.

“I got to a 2-0 count and I was sitting there thinking ‘well, he’s probably going to throw me a fastball right now,’” Metzger said. “Sure enough, it just kind of all worked out and I got it.”

Taylor Thurber, a returning Stomper from the 2016 roster signed earlier in July, put up a strong start against ex-MLB player Travis Blackley on the Diamonds’ side. Australian native Blackley played 82 games and made 26 starts in the Major Leagues for five teams including the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.

“For me, it was kind of fun actually, because he was a former teammate, we played together in the Giants organization,” Metzger said. “I got a triple off of him, so that was fun.”

Blackley allowed five hits and struck out four in five innings of work, keeping the Stompers scoreless in tandem with Skylar Shaw-Fuss out of the bullpen until Metzger’s jack. On the Stompers’ side of the early pitcher’s duel, Thurber stayed in the game through six and allowed just two earned runs.

The Diamonds evened the score in the next frame on a hard, two-RBI double from Kori Melo.

Both teams remained scoreless until the tenth, when the Pacific Association’s tiebreaker rule allowed the Diamonds to strike for four runs off of Ryan Richardson and Zach Wendorf. The Stompers struck back, coming within one run in the top of the ninth, but were unable to get the tying run around to score.

The first-place Stompers fall to 22-8 on the season while the second-place Diamonds improve to 17-13, leaving Sonoma’s magic number to clinch the first half at five.

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 Fall 5-4 to Pittsburg Diamonds Despite Solid Pitching

Attached photo caption and credit: Sonoma Stompers first baseman Scott David drove in the Stompers' only two RBIs in Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers.

Attached photo caption and credit: Sonoma Stompers first baseman Scott David drove in the Stompers' only two RBIs in Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers.

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell 5-4 to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Wednesday night at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

Sonoma starter Scott Plaza struck out nine in five innings, allowing two runs as Pittsburg starter Cory MacDonald allowed just five hits through six.

The Diamonds scored their first run on an error by Stompers first baseman Scott David, but David neutralized it by driving in the first Sonoma run. David ended up with both of the RBIs on the night.

“You’ve got to give (MacDonald) some credit, he only gave up a couple of hits to us, but we were able to apply pressure” Plaza said.

Plaza did not let the game get away from him, but MacDonald kept the Stompers’ offense off the board from the third until the sixth. Carranza put the Stompers within one run in the sixth, scoring on a throwing error before another David RBI drove in the tying run.

“We know that we’ve got a good-hitting team,” Plaza said. “We have a lot of faith in our guys, that even when we’re down 3-0 or 5-4 we’re going to come back and they’re going to pick us up.”

Pat Lemmo replaced Plaza and made quick work of the Diamonds, fanning two in his first inning of work. He retired the first five hitters he faced before a few base hits and a walk gave Pittsburg its two-run lead back.

The Stompers threatened in the seventh, scoring on a wild pitch and loading the bases. The rally ended on a hard ground ball fielded well by Diamonds third basemen J.J. Wagner.

Jacob Cox was excellent in relief Wednesday for Sonoma, allowing just one hit in the last two innings of the game.  

The Stompers fall to 22-7 at first in the Pacific Association while the second-place Diamonds improve to 16-13. The first pitch of the series-deciding game is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m.

WOMEN IN SPORTS NIGHT

The Stompers will celebrate Women in Sports Night on Thursday, and want to hear what Stompers baseball means to you or a woman you know. Use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share yours.

Fans can use promo code “THERELISH” to get 20 percent off of tickets for July 6 and merchandise online. Thanks to the Relish, which serves up sports coverage for female fans, the Stompers intend to raise awareness about the 20% average gender pay gap in the United States.

Women can also get 20 percent off at the box office before Thursday’s 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.

The Relish, Sonoma Stompers offer 20 percent off Merchandise and Women in Sports Night Tickets July 6 to Raise Gender Pay Gap Awareness

Stacy Piagno pitches the last inning of the Sonoma Stompers' 13-4 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Friday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Stacy Piagno pitches the last inning of the Sonoma Stompers' 13-4 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Friday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, is offering a 20 percent off discount with promo code “THERELISH” for Women in Sports Night tickets on July 6 in an effort to raise awareness about the gender pay gap.

As of 2015, women were paid an average of  80 percent of what men were in the United States, so the discount represents the 20 percent pay gap. The code also gets fans 20 percent off of merchandise online and is thanks to the Relish, which serves up sports coverage for female fans.

“The pay gap is real,” wrote Board Chair Patricia Fae Ho in the foreword of a 2017 report by the American Association of University Women. “The good news is that the gap has narrowed considerably in the last hundred years. The bad news is that the gap is still sizable, it’s even worse for women of color, and it doesn’t seem likely to go away on its own.”

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.  

“Right as I was about to consider giving up baseball, I went to (a Stompers game) and everything changed,” said Twitter user Niamh Mayhew (@ignorant_art123). “I was able to meet and talk to Anna, Stacy, and Kelsie while grabbing some dinner. They are the reason I still want to play.”

Find the Stompers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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

Juan Espinosa's Complete-Game Shutout Fuels 5-0 Sonoma Stompers Victory over Pittsburg Diamonds

Sonoma Stompers starter Juan Espinosa pitched a complete-game shutout in Tuesday's 5-0 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds and has allowed just one earned run in his last three starts. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sonoma Stompers starter Juan Espinosa pitched a complete-game shutout in Tuesday's 5-0 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds and has allowed just one earned run in his last three starts. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, secured a 5-0 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds on Tuesday behind starter Juan Espinosa, who pitched a complete-game shutout and struck out seven.

“Everything (was working for me,)” Espinosa said. “My cutter was on, my curveball was on, and when I needed my fastball it was there.”

It is Espinosa’s third solid outing in a row. In his last three starts, Espinosa has walked only three, allowed just one earned run, 12 hits and 22 strikeouts. On Tuesday, he threw first-pitch strikes to 30 of the 34 batters he faced.

“We just stuck to a game plan today. We talked about it in the first inning and executed all day, stayed extremely focused. Espy did an unbelievable job of doing that through all nine innings,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich.

The game was a pitcher’s duel in the early on, as Dennis Neal went six and two thirds innings, striking out three and allowing two earned runs. His only blemish on the scoreboard was a two-run home run from Joel Carranza in the first inning.

“You could tell, the first two innings, we were jumping at the first two pitches and it worked out,” manager Takashi Miyoshi said.  

In his last game at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark, Carranza also hit a three-run homer in the first inning. His shot Tuesday is his second homer in two games, as Carranza also sent one over the fence in Sunday’s matchup with the Vallejo Admirals.

The shot on Tuesday was the 51st of Carranza’s Pacific Association career. He leads the league all-time in career HR.

The Stompers play the Diamonds nine times in their next 12 games. Sonoma improves to 22-6 on the season, seven games ahead of the next-best Diamonds. Pittsburg falls to 15-13 overall and will look to gain ground on the Stompers Wednesday at 6 p.m. 

“Nothing’s for sure yet. They can always come back. Tomorrow, I’m just going to be humble again and take it one day at a time,” Miyoshi said.

WOMEN IN SPORTS NIGHT: JULY 6

The Stompers will celebrate Women in Sports Night on Thursday, and want to hear what Stompers baseball means to you or a woman you know. Use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share yours.

Fans can use promo code “THERELISH” to get 20 percent off of tickets for July 6 and merchandise online. Thanks to the Relish, which serves up sports coverage for female fans, the Stompers intend to raise awareness about the gender pay gap in the United States.

Since women make 80 percent of what men make on average, the promo code offers a baseball ticket for 80 percent of the normal price.

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.

Offense Backs Solid Outing From Garkow In 11-3 Victory Over Admirals

Starter Tyler Garkow had a season high 12 strikeouts in the Stompers 11-3 victory over the Admirals Sunday. Garkow allowed only four hits over seven innings of work. 

Starter Tyler Garkow had a season high 12 strikeouts in the Stompers 11-3 victory over the Admirals Sunday. Garkow allowed only four hits over seven innings of work. 

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting

VALLEJO, Calif.- The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club Presented by Virginia Dare Winery scored at least 10 runs for the fifth consecutive game in Sonoma’s 11-3 victory over the Vallejo Admirals Sunday at Wilson Park. The offensive output supported an outstanding effort by starter Tyler Garkow who had a season-high 12 strikeouts in the victory. 

“This was my second time starting this week so I was definitely feeling ready to go,” Garkow said. “I felt good all week in my bullpen sessions and I just left it all out on the field this afternoon.” 

Garkow scattered four hits over seven innings allowing three runs. Left fielder Nick Akins provided the only offense for the Admirals when he hit a three-run home run in the third to tie the game at three runs apiece.  However, The Point Loma product responded and was in complete control the rest of the way. Garkow only allowed two other baserunners to reach base after the third inning. 

“It was key for me to attack the hitters, and get first pitch strikes,” Garkow said. “Doing so allowed me to retire lead-off batters so I could pitch into the later innings.”

After the Admirals tied the game in the third inning, Sonoma scored eight unanswered runs over the remaining innings to support the effort from Garkow. The offense scored in five consecutive innings from the second through the sixth to take control of the game. 

“Our lineup is a tough one for opposing pitchers to face,” said Hitting Coach Joel Carranza. “It’s fun to hit in this lineup because you know the person following you in the order can do damage if you do not get the job done” 

 Carranza delivered with his best offensive performance of the season finishing 4-for-5 with a home run and three driven in. The Reigning League MVP leads the team in home runs and RBIs.

“Being the hitting coach, I take it upon myself to lead the team by example,” Carranza said. “I try to do all I can to try to spark this offense to get some energy going in the dugout.” 

The Stompers improved to (21-6) overall after their sixth consecutive series victory. Sonoma holds a six-game advantage over the second place Pittsburg Diamonds (15-12) in the league first half pennant standings.  The upcoming series between the two foes will be critical in the race to the end of the first half in the Pacific Association. 
NEXT AT PEOPLES HOME EQUITY BALLPARK
Spend the Fourth of July with the Stompers and enjoy Sonoma’s world-famous fireworks show from the field at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark.

Then, the Stompers will celebrate Women in Sports Night on Thursday, and want to hear what Stompers baseball means to you or a woman you know. Use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share yours.
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.