By Stompers Staff
Another pitcher’s duel played out at Arnold Field Sunday night, when the Sonoma Stompers beat the visiting Petaluma Athletic Edge 1-0. Sonoma pitching shut out the visitors on absolute dominant performance from Nik Kamages (5 IP), Wyatt Rolan (1 IP), Conner Kinney (1 IP) and Patrick Atkinson (1 IP). However, Sonoma bats were silenced until the eighth inning, but the one run scored in that inning was enough.
The Stompers were only able to squeak through three hits through seven innings, one coming from Ben Giovanneti and one from Paul Contrares. But when Rudy Gonzalez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, everything changed. Gonzalez came out swinging and lined the first pitch into right field for a single. Then, first baseman Jack Vanoncini laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Gonzalez over to second. This brought up catcher Justice Brinson, who sent a line drive into the outfield to easily score Gonzalez and bring home the winning run.
Brinson said this was the exact plan, Gonzalez getting on, Vanoncini bunting him over and then it was his job to hit him home. After being quiet for seven previous innings, the catcher said the approach was “picking out one pitch” from the Athletic Edge pitcher and “[hitting] it hard.” He did such, propelling Sonoma to a victory.
Manager Zack Pace commented on this rally to score the winning run, complementing the approach for those three batters and noting that it took awhile to figure out the pitcher but his guys got it done.
On the defensive side, everything continues to click, as the Athletic Edge only had four hits and struck out nine times. Nik Kamages started it off, throwing the majority with five innings of six strikeouts, three hits and no runs. Wyatt Rolan came in and pitched a shutout sixth inning. Then, Conner Kinney kept it going, silencing the Athletic Edge with a strikeout, earning the win. Patrick Atkinson closed it out, getting the save by striking out two.
The fifth straight win will lead Sonoma into a much needed off day. They will be back in action Tuesday, against CCL opponent Alameda Merchants. This will be another home game, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 at Arnold Field. Make sure to come out and support! If you’re unable to make it, please check out the broadcast that we have for all games! This is on our YouTube page. Go Stomps!