By Jordan Kimball, Beat Writer
Behind a three-run third inning and another efficient outing from right-hander Nick Santivanez, the Stompers (20-13, 16-11 CCL) closed out their holiday weekend homestand with a 9-2 win over the Merchants on Saturday night at Arnold Field.
Sonoma’s offense exploded for nine hits and drew 11 walks, punishing an Alameda pitching staff that struggled to find the zone all evening. Sonoma has now scored 23 runs over its last two games and continues to surge in the CCL North standings.
“Getting back on the win streak against (Alameda feels good),” Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame. “It was definitely a good win. A really good crowd out here, and good to (see) tonight.”
The turning point came in the third inning. With the game sitting scoreless, Connor Pawlowski reached third after a single and a few Merchants’ miscues. Max Handron delivered an RBI single, and Pawlowski came home. By the time the inning ended, the Stompers had built a 3-0 cushion, courtesy of a Paul Lizzul double and a McCann Libby base hit.
The following inning, Pawlowski was plated again after reliever Dominic Cristinzio made an error. Control was extended for Sonoma, and it would only get larger. Trent Keys started the sixth with a walk, followed by Anthony Scheppler and Pawlowski reaching the same way.
Staying true to the trend, Ben Sebastiani walked to plate Keys, before Colton Boardman was hit by a pitch to score another. The lead grew to 6-1, and in the seventh, Keys, Scheppler and Pawlowski put the finishing touch on the win with three more runs.
“They gave us a lot of free passes, which really helped us out,” Pace said. “I was really proud of our guys with their approach. They did a good job of taking what the other guys were gonna give us.”
On the mound, Santivanez stayed strong with five innings of one-run ball. A complete relief effort was then showcased with Heeryun Han, Luke Duncan, Harun Pelja and Braden Guentz each pitching one inning, while Pelja gave up Alameda’s only other run.
The win improves the Stompers to 16-11 on the season, while the Merchants fall to 12-7. Jayden Harper will be on the mound Sunday against the Seagulls, looking to build on Sonoma’s renewed rhythm.