By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Stompers infielder Ben Sebastiani (College of Marin) puts his hands up, gesturing for time to be called to the umpire Sunday against the San Francisco Seagulls at Arnold Field. Sebastiani went 1-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored in Sonoma’s 6-3 victory Thursday against the Alameda Merchants. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers
SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers defeated the Alameda Merchants 6-3 Thursday at Arnold Field. Four relievers out of Sonoma’s bullpen allowed one run in six innings while the Stompers offense had 13 hits and went 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position.
Sonoma improved to 6-2 against the Merchants this season. However, against the two teams at the top of the California Collegiate League North Division — the Walnut Creek Crawdads and San Luis Obispo Blues — the Stompers have struggled.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame he doesn’t “necessarily” feel like the talent gap between the Merchants and the Crawdads are much different, despite the records against each team.
Stompers infielder Hunter Carlson (Georgia State) hit an RBI single to open the scoring in the first inning. The Hudson, Wisconsin, native tallied his 28th RBI of the season, later hitting his 29th, tied with infielder Tino Vasell (University of San Francisco) for the team lead.
After not scoring in the opening frame, Merchants catcher Bennett Johnston hit a two-run home run to left field to give Alameda a 2-1 lead.
In three innings pitched, Stompers starting pitcher right-hander Matthew Schallberger (San Joaquin Delta College) allowed six hits but struck out five during his fifth start.
Sonoma tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the third before turning to its bullpen in the fourth. Right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto (San Joaquin Delta College) struck out the side in the top of the fourth.
Sonoma answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead for good.
The rally was kickstarted with a one-out single by infielder Misael Uriepero (Youngstown State), followed by two consecutive walks. With the bases loaded, infielder Ben Sebastiani (College of Marin) hit an RBI groundout. The next two batters, Carlson and Vasell both added to the lead by hitting two out RBI singles into right field.
Laguinto entered with a 6.39 ERA but continued his recent improvement, allowing just one run while striking out six over three innings.
Pace said Laguinto has been “locating his pitches much better” compared to the first half of the season.
“He was getting behind hitters, not attacking them [earlier in the year],” Pace said. “He definitely has a lot more confidence now. He’s a rhythm and confidence type of guy.”
Sonoma added an insurance run in the eighth inning to make it 6-3, after a throwing error by Alameda infielder Nico Rodriguez.
After surrendering a run in the fifth, Sonoma’s bullpen shut down the Merchants. Right-handed pitchers Jaxen Rowland (Modesto College) and Alec Murray (Fordham University) both pitched a scoreless inning.
Despite throwing only 12 pitches in the eighth, Pace didn’t send Murray back out of the ninth so he could be “available this weekend.”
Right-handed pitcher Mateo Heredia (Cal State Northridge) earned his first save of the season, throwing a scoreless ninth.
Pace said he was “very proud” of his pitching staff, calling it one of the best performances of the season “across the board.”
“We had 15 K’s, one hit by pitch and zero walks,” Pace said. “You’re going to win a lot of ballgames when you do that.”
Sonoma opens a series on the road against Walnut Creek on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Monte Vista High School in Danville.