Center fielder Matt Hibbert went 3-6 in the Sonoma Stompers’ 13-1 rout of the Pittsburg Diamonds Sunday, scoring two runs and driving in three. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations
PITTSBURG, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, completed a sweep of the Pittsburg Diamonds with a dominant 13-1 victory Sunday.
The last time the Stompers started the season 3-0, they went 6-0 in 2015 en route to an 18-3 start.
A two-out, eighth inning double from Marcus Bradley sparked one of two five-run innings for Sonoma Sunday. A walk and four straight hits followed Bradley’s knock, putting the Stompers up by 12 runs to keep the Diamonds out of striking distance.
Right-hander Tyler Garkow got the start in his debut for the Stompers and found himself with runners on base through much of his five and two-thirds innings performance. Despite nine Pittsburg hits in that span, two from offensive threat Vinny Guglietti, Garkow allowed just one run.
Garkow’s effort and that of the Stompers’ bullpen paved the way for the Sonoma offense to flourish, recording 18 hits as seven different Stompers drove in runs in Sunday’s game.
After coming up clutch in each of the Stompers’ first two games of the season, Eddie Mora-Loera continued his hot streak Sunday, going 3-5 and recording two RBIs. Center fielder Matt Hibbert had a big afternoon as well, notching three hits and driving in three runs.
Third baseman Scott David and reigning Pacific Association Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza also contributed two RBIs. David reached base each time he stepped up to the plate, collecting three hits and two walks.
Despite the offensive breakthrough in the later innings, both teams struggled to drive runners in early in the game. Sonoma left six runners on base through the first three innings while the Diamonds left eight through the first five.
The Stompers will be back in action Tuesday at 6:35 against the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park in Vallejo. The Admirals are 2-1 on the season and finished fourth in the Pacific Association last year at 32-46.
STOMPERS TICKETS
Opening Day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field is June 13. Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street. Tickets are also available at the box office on game day.
Use promo code "OPENINGDAY" to receive 15% off of home opener tickets online.
For more information, contact the front office at 707-938-7277.