SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers opened the week at home against the Napa Silverados. The Stompers took the lead late but a 2-run homer by Josh Montelongo in the 8th propelled Napa to the win.
Nick Barnese (4-0) tossed a flawless 6 innings in Tuesday night’s game.
Willie Salas led off the game with a home run (4) against Barnese to put Napa up 1-0.
Nick Gotta opened the home half of the 1st inning with his 3rd homer on the season off Napa right-hander Sam Curtis (5-1), tying the game 1-1.
After a 2-out walk to Dominic Bethancourt in the top of the 2nd inning, Salas knocked him in with an RBI single to give Napa the lead back 2-1.
Barnese settled down and had his best start of the year as he only allowed the 2 hits through 6 innings while striking out 11 and touching 96mph multiple times an 97mph once.
The Stompers took the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning. Gotta drew a 1-out walk and Chris Kwitzer singled to set the table for Brent Gillespie who floated an RBI single into center to tie the game 2-2. Kwitzer went to third on the hit and later scored on Devontae Glenn’s wild pitch to give the Stompers a 3-2 lead.
Ethan Gibbons (2-2) cruised through a 1-2-3 7th inning, handing the ball to set-up man Connor Leedholm 0-2).
Leedholm walked Dakota Conners and then allowed a monster 2-run shot to Montelongo to give Napa a 4-3 lead in the top of the 8th.
The Stompers loaded the bases in the 9th but could not mount a comeback, falling by a score of 4-3 and dropping to 27-11 on the season.
The Stompers are back in action at Palooza Park at Arnold Field on Thursday night at 6:05 vs the Salina Stockade.