SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers returned home on Thursday night for the first game of a two game home stand. The Salina Stockade were out to an early lead but the Stompers offense ignited in the 12-3 victory, increasing the win-streak to 8 games.
Konner Arnold (3-0) started the game on the hill for Zack Pace’s Stompers, looking for his 3rdwin in as many starts.
The Stockade got to Arnold first in the top of the 1stinning on a solo homerun off the bat of Louis Martini, giving the Stockade and early 1-0 lead.
The Stompers answered in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI groundout by Dondrei Hubbard and a two-out RBI single by Chris Kwitzer to give the Stompers a 2-1 lead against Salina starter Cole Langdon (0-3).
One run was put on the board in the bottom of the 2ndand 3rdinnings for the Stompers. Jacob Barfield led off the last of the second with a single and later scored on an error by the second baseman Omar Artsen. In the bottom of the 3rd, Hubbard launched his league-leading 6thhomerun to left-center field, extending the lead to 4-1.
Designated hitter Nick Gotta led off the bottom of the 5thinning against Andrew Merken, the third Salina pitcher of the game, with a base hit. He later scored on an error by Chuck Rocker in center field making in a 5-1 ballgame.
Salina got one run in the top half of the 6thinning when Eric Kozak knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice, closing the gap 5-2.
The offense patiently took advantage of pitching miscues by Salina in the bottom of the 6thinning, scoring 7 runs. The Stompers got help on 4 hit-by-pitches, 2 walks, and an error as the lead ballooned to 12-2.
The Stockade got one more in the top of the 7th and 3 in the 9th but it was not enough as the Stompers win 12-6, extending their win streak to 8 games, one shy of the franchise record.
The Stompers quick home stand ends Friday night at 6:05 against the Vallejo Admirals.