By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Stompers infielder Hunter Carlson (Georgia State) connects with the ball on the swing Tuesday at Arnold Field. Carlson went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in Sonoma’s 6-2 win over the San Francisco Seagulls. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers
SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers defeated the San Francisco Seagulls 6-2 Tuesday at Arnold Field. Sonoma's bullpen, which used five relievers, allowed one unearned run on two hits over the final five innings.
The Stompers remain in third place in the California Collegiate League North, improving to 13-13. San Francisco’s losing streak extended to nine consecutive games, falling to 4-21 in the CCL.
Sonoma opened the scoring with two outs in the first inning after a fielding error by Seagulls infielder Jake Brewer (Cal State Monterey Bay). Infielder Tino Vasell (University of San Francisco) hit an RBI single into right field, scoring outfielder Wesley Bass (Georgia State) from second.
In the fourth inning, the Seagulls tied the contest with an RBI single by infielder Tanner Wall (Pepperdine University). However, San Francisco left two runners on base after an inning-ending strikeout.
Making his fourth start of the season, left-hander Taber Fast allowed one earned run over four innings. The Chehalis, Washington, native collected five strikeouts in 67 pitches.
Before Fast faced his final batter with two outs, Stompers manager Zack Pace went out to the mound to talk to his pitcher. As he was walking back to the dugout, Pace was ejected for the game.
Pace said postgame he “wanted to stick up for his guy,” which led to an argument with the home plate umpire.
“I thought we had a lot of pitches that were very close to being strike three. Our pitcher was getting up in the count,” Pace said. “I wanted to protect our players. I don’t want our players getting hurt.”
Pace said that he “wanted” to fire the team up to prevent his players from getting hurt.
“When it comes to the point of stretching our guy out at the end of his rope when he could get injured, I get a little upset,” Pace said. “That’s where I stand up for my guys.”
Catcher Gage McCown (Cal State Northridge) answered with a solo home run to begin the bottom of the fourth. It was McCown’s second long ball of the season.
In the fifth, Sonoma extended its advantage on a solo home run by infielder Hunter Carlson (Georgia State). Through three games against the Seagulls this season, Carlson is batting .400 with three home runs, seven RBIs, four walks and two hit-by-pitches in 16 plate appearances.
Two innings later, Sonoma scored three runs on three hits to break the game open. Infielder Anthony Scheppler (San Jose State) started the frame with a base hit into right field. He scored on an RBI double by infielder Misael Uriepero (Youngstown State).
The Stompers continued to tack on to their lead with small ball and situational hitting. Uriepero scored the fifth run for Sonoma on a wild pitch before outfielder Chase Taylor (University of Connecticut) made it 6-1 on an RBI groundout to first base.
San Francisco scored one run in the ninth, but Stompers right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto (San Joaquin Delta College) recorded the final three outs without any further damage.
The Stompers go on the road for the first time in a week, facing the Seagulls again Wednesday at San Bruno Park in San Bruno, Calif. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on YouTube with an audio only broadcast.