By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Stompers manager Zack Pace walks off the field Tuesday after a meeting on the mound. Pace earned his 200th career regular season win as the Stompers defeated the San Francisco Seagulls 12-4 at San Bruno Park in San Bruno, Calf. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers
Stompers manager Zack Pace earned his 200th career regular season win Tuesday as the Sonoma Stompers secured a 12-4 win against the San Francisco Seagulls at San Bruno Park in San Bruno, Calif.
Pace described the accomplishment postgame as a “staff” win, not just a feat he achieved himself.
“It’s a Stomper family 200 [wins],” Pace said. “Can’t do it without the coaching staff, the GM, the interns, the broadcast team. The fans. The host families ... we’re all pulling in the same direction and trying to get wins.”
Sonoma opened the scoring Tuesday in the second inning. Outfielder Connor Johnston (Bellarmine University) drove home outfielder Nic Sebastiani with two outs.
The Stompers continued to capitalize with two outs. Seven of Sonoma's 12 runs scored with two outs.
Pace said his guys “really grinded” with “tough” and “quality at-bats" in the contest.
“We didn’t take it easy on the pitcher, not giving in with the last out of the inning,” Pace said. “You know, our guys put a lot of pressure on them.”
The Seagulls scored two runs in third and fifth innings to tie the game at 4-4. Stompers starting pitcher right-hander Keller Ausbun (Colorado State – Pueblo) went 2.2 innings but allowed two earned runs.
Pace said it was “tough” to take Ausbun out after the first two innings where he worked efficiently, throwing only 18 pitches.
“We just put up a three-spot, we were up by four,” Pace said. “Obviously you want to see him throw strikes there. Not let runners get on, but it is what it is. He battled ... he gave us a chance to win today.”
Sonoma regained the lead with two runs in the seventh before breaking the game open with six more in the eighth.
The Stompers' bullpen covered the final 4.2 innings without allowing a run.
Right-handed pitcher Griffin Messenger threw 2.2 scoreless innings and secured his first win in three appearances this season. Right-handed pitchers Kyle Seo (Chaminade University – Honolulu) and Riley Dickey (Modesto Junior College) pitched the final two innings.
Pace said the gameplan was to give the ball to his relievers until they “couldn’t get outs anymore.”
“We changed the starter last minute,” Pace said. “It was a next guy up approach.”
The Stompers continue their road trip Wednesday against the Walnut Creek Crawdads in Danville, Calif. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed on YouTube with an audio-only broadcast.
Sonoma improved to 19-13 and remains third in the California Collegiate League North Division, three games behind first-place Walnut Creek and one game behind the second-place San Luis Obispo Blues.