Stompers Support Sonoma Comunity During Rawhide's Holiday Roundup

The Sonoma Stompers are giving back to the community with Rawhide's Holiday Roundup, a toy and sports equipment drive benefiting our community. All items donated will benefit local youth.

Danielle Joy/Sonoma Stompers

Sonoma Stompers

This holiday season, The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club is debuting Rawhide's Holiday Roundup, a holiday drive to support Sonoma Valley youth.

For the second year in a row, the Stompers are partnering with Sonoma Raceway as a donation center for its 14th Annual High Speed Toy Drive.

Toys collected during the toy drive, which runs through Tuesday, Dec. 6, will be distributed to more than 250 children at the raceway's annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 10. All children are pre-registered for the party through one of six Sonoma Valley non-profit youth organizations. New, unwrapped toys and gifts for children from newborns to 12 years old are needed.

As part of Rawhide's Holiday Roundup, the Stompers are also asking fans to help give the gift of sports to deserving Sonoma Valley Youth. Fans can bring any
pre-owned and usable sports equipment to the Stompers Fan Shop weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. until Dec. 23. 

All fans that donate can register to win an autographed baseball, signed by the 2016 Pacific Association Champion Stompers! This ball includes the autograph of all three female players who suited up with the Stompers, Kelsie Whitmore, Stacy Piagno and Anna Kimbrell, as well as 2016 Pacific Association Manager of the Year, Takashi Miyoshi and league MVP Joel Carranza.
Fans will also receive a gift from the Stompers just for donating toys or equipment before Dec. 23.

Visit us at 234 West Napa Street, in Downtown Sonoma, call 707.938.7277 for more info, or online at www.Stompersbaseball.com.

Carranza Named League's Most Valuable Player

It was announced Monday that Joel Carranza was chosen by managers, general managers, and broadcasters from the Pacific Association as the league's most valuable player.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

By Geoff Safford, Broadcast & Operations Assistant

Every team needs a heartbeat. A player whose importance to the team extends from the field to the clubhouse. Joel Carranza embraced that role for the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club in 2016, and then some.

Since joining the Stompers, Carranza has been one of the most consistent hitters in the Pacific Association. In 2014, he set the Pacific Association single season home run record with 19. The following year he belted 10 homers, batted .358 before being promoted to the Trios Rivieres Angels of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball. In 2016, he returned as did his steady dominance as Carranza was named the League’s Most Valuable Player.

The Stompers Joel Carranza was named the 2016 Pacific Association MVP, while first baseman, Daniel Baptista, finished third in the voting. Voting was conducted by the league's front offices, manager, coaches and broadcasters.

The Pembroke Pines, Florida native returned to Sonoma on June 7 in a player-coach role, routinely hit cleanup in the lineup, and helped manager Takashi Miyoshi as a hitting coach. Carranza took his game to a new level in 2016 on the strongest offensive team in the Pacific Association. The Stompers offense powered its way to a Pacific Association championship. 
Carranza becomes the second player in the three-year history of the Stompers to receive the MVP award, joining 2014 winner Jayce Ray. 

“Joel had a remarkable season for us again. He's been so consistent, each and every year he's great,” said Vice President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster. “When he came back in June, our team grew up. Everyone realized then that we were good enough to win, and that's certainly thanks in part to Joel's confidence, and the confidence he infused into our clubhouse. This is a long time coming.”

Carranza had a league best .316 batting average, was second to only San Rafael’s Jake Taylor with 15 home runs, and was third in the league with 60 RBIs. He also had a .406 on base percentage, and .982 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage). But Carranza’s importance to the team extended bar beyond the box score. 

Sonoma broke barriers in 2016 by signing Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno to the club on July 1. Having women in a clubhouse is not a situation that most – if not all of the – Stompers players had ever experienced. Carranza took it upon himself to work with Whitmore to improve her offensive game. Whitmore faced a huge challenge being the youngest member of the team. The mentorship from Carranza helped Whitmore earn her spot in the Stompers clubhouse.

“I'm proud of him. He took on a bigger role this year serving as a hitting coach too. And it shouldn't go unnoticed that he was integral in helping Kelsie (Whitmore) feel more comfortable earning her spot in this organization,” Fightmaster said. 

Whitmore agreed, saying “As a teammate and (someone who feels like a) little sister to Joel, I'm honored to say how proud I am of his accomplishments. He deserves every bit of this award and earned it through his hard work and dedication. He's a great teammate and ‘big brother’ that I would never trade.”

Although the Stompers enjoyed a fantastic season overall in 2016, they fell on hard times at the beginning of the second half. They struggled offensively and dug a hole for themselves in the standings. Carranza, who was a 32nd round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft, took this slow start as hard as anyone in the clubhouse. Carranza truly wanted to bring a championship to Sonoma, and it showed with his performance down the stretch. Carranza hit nine of his 15 home runs in the second half of the season, and added 13 multi-hit games in the after the break. 

“Joel is a true professional baseball player. He was an excellent leader for all of the players in the clubhouse,” said Stompers Manager Takashi Miyoshi. “I am extremely happy that he was named MVP because of all that he has done for the Stompers organization.”

Carranza joined Mason Morioka, Mark Hurly, and Miyoshi as the members of the Stompers organization that won post season honors for their work in the Pacific Association. Carranza was not alone on the ballot for MVP as first baseman Daniel Baptista finished 3rd in the voting. Baptista overcame a slow offensive start to the season and finished second on the team in batting average at .304, and had a team leading 61 RBIs.

The winners of the awards from the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs are selected by managers, general managers, and broadcasters from around the league. 

Stompers Hurlers Receive High Praises During Awards Season

Mike Jackson Jr. (left) and Taylor Thurber (right) showed well in the Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year voting. Jackson Jr, and Thurber finished 2nd, and 3rd respectively. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Sonoma Stompers Staff Report

Without the steady work of Mike Jackson Jr. and Taylor Thurber, it’s hard to imagine the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club capturing the 2016 crown.

The two right-handed hurlers were stalwarts of the Stompers rotation, and the league took notice as the Jackson and Thurber finished with a second and third-place finish, respectively, in the Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year voting.

San Rafael's Patrick Conroy narrowly eclipsed Sonoma's Mike Jackson in the the voting for the 2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year. Voting was conducted by the league's front offices, managers, coaches and broadcasters.

In his third season with the Stompers, Jackson Jr. was at his very best. Prior to his promotion to the Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League, Ind.), the 27-year-old Pennsylvania native went 8-2, with a 2.84 ERA, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 1.132. In 76 innings, spanning 12 starts, Jackson Jr. allowed just 59 hits, struck out 61 batters and walked just 27. His eight wins were tied for most in the league (J.R. Bunda, San Rafael), and his 61 strikeouts were 11th-most in the association, despite him not making a start after Aug. 10. His ratio of hits-to-innings of 7-to-9 was the best figure among any pitcher who made more than three starts. Only San Rafael’s Patrick Conroy, who was named the league’s top pitcher for 2016, had a better ERA among pitchers who made more than 10 starts. 

The veteran, and a charter member of the 2014 Stompers Inaugural season team, took his game to another level in 2016, and also served as a leader in the clubhouse for manager Takashi Miyoshi. From Spring Training, Jackson Jr. served as the leader of the pitching staff.

Thurber, 23, was nearly just as valuable. In his first year in Sonoma, Thurber won seven games, posted a 2.95 ERA, and boasted a WHIP of 1.148. The Appalachian State University product, was seventh in the league in strikeouts (70), and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.38 (best among all pitchers who made more than one start). Opposing batters hit just .246 off Thurber, and they were often attempting to hit from behind in count as he led all qualifying pitchers with a .714 first-pitch-strike percentage. 

The Stompers have been well represented thus far in the postseason awards balloting. Outfielder Mark Hurley and catcher Mason Morioka were both recognized as the league’s top defenders at their positions, and Manager Takashi Miyoshi was named the Manager of the Year. Right-hander Juan Espinosa, and fellow Miami product, Randy Santiesteban, finished third and fourth, respectively, in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Reliever Jose Flores, who assumed the closer role for the Stompers late in 2016, finished third in voting in Reliever of the Year honors, and late-season acquisition Ryan Richardson finished fifth.  

The Pacific Association voting is comprised of the league’s front offices, managers, coaches and broadcasters.

On November 14, the league will announce the 2016 MVP. In 2014, former Stomper Jayce Ray, won the award. San Rafael’s Matt Chavez took home the hardware in 2015. Both played the next season with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association. Ray is currently in the Boston Red Sox organization, where spent the 2016 season reaching as high as Double-A. 

Miyoshi Chosen As 2016 Manager Of The Year

Sonoma Stompers Manager Takashi Miyoshi was selected by General Managers, Managers, and Broadcasters from around the Pacific Association as the 2016 Manager of the Year. 

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Broadcast & Operations Assistant

When Takashi Miyoshi joined the Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club in 2015 as a bench coach, his role became much larger than anyone could have anticipated. 

The Japanese born and Tokyo resident Miyoshi was brought in after spending time as a third base coach with the Texas Air Hogs in the American Association where he had the opportunity to be part of a championship team. But Miyoshi still sought out the opportunity to do what no other Japanese native had ever been given the chance to do in American professional baseball – a chance to manage.

In the middle of the 2015 season Miyoshi got his chance, and in his first full season as manager in 2016 he took his club to a Pacific Association Championship. The Stompers broke franchise records for the number of wins (47), and winning percentage (.603). Yoshi (as he’s called) also became the first manager in the history of the Pacific Association to lead a club to first half, and second half pennant in the same season. On Wednesday it was announced that Miyoshi was voted the Manager of the Year for the 2016 season.

 “The Stompers have the most professional, hardest working, most dedicated manager in all of independent baseball – maybe beyond,” said Vice President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster. "We are so lucky to have a serious, smart, organized and open-minded person like Yoshi at the helm. He deserves this recognition, and I hope he soon earns a chance prove his worth at the next level,” 

Yoshi became the first ever Japanese born manager in the history of American professional baseball when promoted in 2015. His home country of Japan is a baseball crazed nation and Miyoshi brought a dream of representing his country in its favorite game. He started his first full season as manager of the Stompers in 2016 with something to prove after falling just short of a title in 2015.

Unlike 2015, the 2016 Stompers played their best baseball in the final month of the season, and enjoyed the earliest title clinch in Pacific Association history.  

For that, and other reasons, Miyoshi was recognized by managers, general managers, and broadcasters of the Pacific Association. Miyoshi’s name was on every ballot that was cast, and received double the amount of votes of the second place candidate (Vallejo Admirals Manager P.J. Phillips).

2016 Manager of the Year Voting Results

All league awards voting is determined by a weighted points system. A first-place vote is worth 5 points, second and third-place votes are worth 3 points and 1 point, respectively.

“I am extremely humbled to be named the Manager of the Year. I would like to thank the Stomper ownership, and my team,” Miyoshi said. “I would also like to thank Theo Fightmaster, Assistant General Manager Tim Livingston, my bench coach Chris Matthews, and our players. Lastly I would like to thank the fans who supported us all summer long, our great host families, and sponsors. Without all of you, I would not have been named named Manager of the Year. I won this award because of all of your support. Thanks for all the trust, love and support.”

Miyoshi lead a Stompers team that scored the most runs (485) and had the lowest team earned run average (4.01) of any team in the league. They also were tops in run differential as the Stompers scored 127 more run than their opponents (358). The next best run differential in the league was the Pacifics who allowed 15 more runs (417) than what they scored (402).

But the 2016 season was not always a walk in the park. After winning the first half pennant, Sonoma began the second half with a 7-10 mark, and fell five games behind a San Rafael team that gave the Stompers many problems in the first half. But the Stompers went on a pennant-clinching run in the month of August that culminated in them overtaking first place, and never looking back.

The Stompers finished with a remarkable 18-6 mark down the stretch, and scored over thirteen runs in six of those contests.  That run included an eight-game winning streak against the defending Pacific Association Champion Pacifics.

The final two individual awards for the 2016 Pacific Association season will be announced on November 7, and November 9. On November 7, the winner of the Pitcher of the Year award will be announced. Finally on November 9 the winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player will be revealed.

Two Stompers Take Home Defensive Player Of The Year Honors

Catcher Mason Morioka (top), and left fielder Mark Hurley (bottom) were voted as defensive players of the year at their positions for the 2016 season.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Broadcast & Operations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare, has built a tradition of great defense since their inaugural season in 2014. In 2015, seven Stompers were selected as Defensive Players of the Year, and that tradition continued in a championship season in 2016. 

Defense was a huge part of the Stompers success this year, and players from around the Pacific Association were rewarded for their efforts by being named Defensive Players of the Year at their positions. This season, two Stompers were chosen for their efforts. 

For the second consecutive year, Mark Hurley was elected the top defensive left fielder in the league, and Mason Morioka was chosen for his work behind the plate. The winners were voted on by managers, general managers, and broadcasters from around the Pacific Association. 

“Once we worked out some of the kinks on defense in the early part of the season, our defense was as much of a reason as any that we were able to win the championship,” said Vice President, and General Manager Theo Fightmaster. 

Coming into opening day, the starting catching position was a questions mark for the Stompers, after the 2014 and 2015 honorees Andrew Parker and Isaac Wenrich, respectively, had departed. But Morioka brought his experience from the Frontier League and American Association and signed with the Stompers during spring training, and ultimately filled a void for the ball club. 

 "I only know one thing. Without Morioka, we would not have won the 2016 Championship,” said Stompers Manager Takashi Miyoshi. “He has done tremendous job for our organization. There are no words to express how much I respect the man he is on and off the field."

Morioka played with a chip on his shoulder after being released from spring camp by the Vallejo Admirals, a team he spent time with the season before. Morioka proved with his play that he not only belonged in the Pacific Association, but he was one of the league’s best talents. 

The 25-year-old catcher’s play was something special and the numbers bore that out. The Torrance, Calif. native had 24 assists – second most by any catcher on the season – and Morioka committed only six errors (a league low among starting catchers). He also had the second highest fielding percentage (.988), and number of putouts (462) on the team. The Stompers could not have done what they did in 2016 without the veteran behind the plate. 

“I’m so happy for Mason. I don't think there is anyone more deserving of this award than he is,” Fightmaster said.  “Hell, he could have earned this honor solely based on his performance the night we clinched the second half, if you ask me. There was no better all-around player at their position in this league in 2016 than Mason.”

Morioka’s value was also shown in the batters box as he asserted himself as one of the Pacific Association’s best hitters. Morioka was the best hitting catcher in the league with a .292 batting average to go along with five home runs and eight doubles. He also did a great job of getting on base by finishing with 30 walks, and a .382 on base percentage. Morioka’s OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .793 was the best of his professional career. Morioka was fourth on the team with 44 runs scored, 66 hits, 34.875 runs created and eight doubles. He led the team with three triples, and drove in 31 runs. 

“This feels pretty awesome,” Morioka said. “This is my first award in my pro career, and I have to thank the whole organization from ownership to (Stompers Manager Takashi Miyoshi) and (bench coach) Chris Matthews, my teammates who believed in me, and my family and friends who supported me this season.”

Hurley earned the reputation of being a fantastic outfielder for his work in left field during his rookie year of 2015. The Hollister native and Cal State Monterey Bay product committed just three errors during the entire season, was named the Defensive Player of the Year in left, and was recognized with the league’s Rookie of the Year Award. Hurley built on that success to have an even better year statistically on defense in 2016. 

Hurley was one of the most consistent outfielders in the league, boasting the highest fielding percentage on the team among qualifying positions player (.989,) and only committed one error during the entire season. Hurley added three assists from the outfield (most on the team, and among the top five in the league).

“Mark is a true fighter.  He never complained, and never showed any weakness while on the field,” said Miyoshi.  His character brought us to different level of professionalism. I am extremely honored to call him my left fielder."

Hurley was a key part to an outfield that was solid defensively all season long, and along with center fielder Matt Hibbert and right fielder Derrick Fox committed only 13 errors as a unit. Hurley has established himself as one of the league’s best defensive players at in the Pacific Association after winning this award for the second straight season.

“For two years in a row, Mark has provided us with great stability in left field, and was even better with the glove this year,” said Fightmaster.

Hurley added, “I feel honored to win this award with all the great outfielders in this league. I had such great support from my teammates, the Verdus (my host family), the front office and the fans. They all made this possible. Thank you, Sonoma!”

The Pacific Association will announce the rest of the post season awards over the coming weeks starting with the Rookie of the Year award to be announced Wednesday October 26. On Monday October 31 the Reliever of the Year will be announced with the Manager of the Year award to follow on November 2. The Pitcher of the year and MVP will be announced on November 7, and November 9. 

People's Home Equity Mortgage Lending Extends Partnership With The Stompers Through 2018

The Defending Pacific Association Champion Stompers have extended their partnership with People's Home Equity and will continue to call Arnold Field home through 2018.

Geoff Safford/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, Vice President & General Manager

Sonoma, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has extended its partnership with the North Bay’s leading mortgage provider, Peoples Home Equity Mortgage Lending, through the 2018 season.

A Presenting Partner of Stompers Baseball in 2016, Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, will continue to serve as the home of the 2016 Pacific Association Champions. Last spring, the mortgage provider became the first organization to acquire the naming rights to the Stompers home ballpark.

It was an iconic season for the Stompers at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark, as the club garnered unprecedented attention for their on-field achievements in 2016. On July 1, along with Francis Ford Coppola’s Virginia Dare Winery, the Stompers started two females in outfielder Kelsie Whitmore and pitcher Stacy Piagno, becoming the first co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950s when Toni Stone, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson and Constance Morgan achieved the distinction of becoming the first women to play alongside men in the Negro Leagues. 

On July 22, the team added catcher Anna Kimbrell, and all three female players appeared in the game that night against the Pittsburg Diamonds.

The Stompers enjoyed a franchise best 47-31 record in 2016, clinching the league title for the first time in team history. They became the first Pacific Association team to win both the first and second half titles since 2014. The first half title was clinched at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark on July 13 in a thrilling 8-7 win over Pittsburg.

Since 2014, Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field has hosted such notable guests as former San Francisco Giants great, J.T. Snow, current Washington National’s manager, Dusty Baker, former American League MVP Jose Canseco, former Boston Red Sox hurler, Bill “Spaceman” Lee.

In 2015, the Peoples Home Equity Ballpark set the stage for the New York Times Best-Selling book, “The Only Rule Is It Has to Work: Our Wild Experiment Building a New Kind of Baseball Team,” authored by Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller. The two authors spent the 2015 season serving as the Stompers Baseball Operations department, and chronicled their experience in their bestselling book.    

On June 25, 2015, Sean Conroy became the first openly-gay player in the history of the sport, and debuted with a 14-strikeout shutout victory over the Vallejo Admirals. That moment was recognized in international headlines, and enshrined in the  National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

In their three seasons, the Stompers have compiled a record of 133 wins 100 losses, have enjoyed three consecutive years of increased attendance, sponsorship support and per-cap revenue growth, while continuing to offer the best family entertainment option in the Sonoma Valley. 

The Stompers will open the 2017 season approximately on June 1, as the look to defend their championship title. Full Season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale now; simply stop by the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.
 
About Peoples Home Equity, Inc. NMLS #63371

Formed in 2001, Peoples Home Equity, Inc. is dedicated to the simple goal of helping Americans achieve the dream of responsible home ownership. We are a fully functional Conventional and Government HUD-approved lender that closes two billion dollars in mortgage loans annually. We have over 70 branch locations in 27 states. By working hard to earn trust and respect with every transaction, we continue to grow and prosper alongside our home buyer and Realtor partners.

Thank You For Supporting The Stompers In 2016

The Stompers stormed to the mound on Friday August 26 after clinching their first ever Pacific Association Championship at Albert Park in San Rafael. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, Vice President & General Manager

Dear Sonoma Stompers Faithful,

After three seasons, a couple near misses, and more memories and incredible opportunities than we very likely deserve, the Sonoma Stompers are Pacific Association Champions!
The 2016 Stompers season was a roaring success.

We captured the franchise’s first title with a mark of 47-31, 16 games above 500, and six games better than league stalwarts, the San Rafael Pacifics. As an organization, we won our second and third League Half-Season titles – and let me remind you we’ve only played six half seasons in our existence. Our 47 wins were most in franchise history, and when Jose Flores struck out Brent Gillespie for the final out on Friday, Aug. 26, it marked the earliest a team had ever clinched the Pacific Association crown outright. But the success went beyond the box scores.

Thanks to Francis Ford Coppola, his extraordinary team at Virginia Dare Winery, and veteran broadcaster and baseball expert, Joe Castellano, the Stompers made national headlines (again) for the signing of Kelsie Whitmore, Stacy Piagno and Anna Kimbrell. The trio of women performed admirably while helping the Stompers become the first professional baseball team with multiple women on the roster since the Negro Leagues in the 1950s.

And of course, there was the great core of players who day in, day out simply outperformed the competition.

Charter members of the 2014 Stompers team; Matt Hibbert, Mike Jackson Jr., Joel Carranza, Derrick Fox and Erik Gonsalves were integral to this championship, and I’m thrilled that they played the role they did in bringing a title to Sonoma. Carranza led the Pacific Association in hitting, boasting a .316 batting average, and slugged 15 home runs (second most in the league), despite not joining the team until June 7.

2015 standouts Daniel Baptista, Gregory Paulino, Mark Hurley and Yuki Yasuda, along with newcomers like Flores, Taylor Thurber, Jose Flores, Mason Morioka, Juan Espinosa, Randy Santiestiban, Oliver Garcia, Chaz Meadows, Eddie More-Loera, and Caleb Bryson helped fortify a core of the most complete team we’ve had here in three years.   

And thanks to the incredible dedication of Manager Takashi Miyoshi, Bench Coach Chris Matthews and Assistant G.M. of Baseball Operations, and Play-by-play man extraordinaire – Sonoma’s own Tim Livingston – we only got stronger in the season’s final weeks. The additions of Ryan Richardson, Randy Keen and Adam Ogburn bolstered our pitching staff. And late-season acquisition, Scott David, was the bolt of lightning that helped our lineup surge to the finish line.

Our ballpark staff was also in championship form this summer. In my estimation, we delivered the best fan experience in our three years. Our game day staff was courteous and hardworking, our concessions were made hot and fresh, with only the best ingredients we could find, thanks to our partners at Sonoma Market.

At the end of every season, we get to look in the mirror and say “that was the best summer of our lives,” but you should know that without your support – be it the season tickets you bought, the sponsorship you spend your hard-earned marketing dollars toward, the player (or players) you warmly hosted – this simply can’t happen.

A team like the Sonoma Stompers exist only because a community like you supports it. And we hope to continue to earn your support for many more seasons.

Sincerely,
Theo Fightmaster
Vice President, General Manager

Stompers Conclude 2016 Campaign Sunday Against Pacifcs

Pat Lemmo went seven innings strong in the Stompers 3-2 loss to the Pacfics Sunday. Lemmo allowed 2 runs on six hits and struck out one.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistan

After three months and 78 games of grinding, the 2016 season came to an end Sunday afternoon at Albert Park. This game had a much different feel than most games do as pitchers had the opportunity to get at bats on both sides. Players playing in their final games as professionals like Pacifics centerfielder Zack Pace also got a proper send off in their final game. The result on the field did not go the Stompers way in a 3-2 loss to the Pacifics, but it takes nothing away from the fabulous journey that this team went on. 

Pat Lemmo had his best outing in his third start pitching seven innings strong. Lemmo allowed two runs on six hits and walked only one batter in those innings. Evan Neiser came in to relive Lemmo and made one mistake to Chase Tucker in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth that lead to a walk off home run. The loss ended an eight game win streak against the Pacifics on the final day of the regular season. These two teams had their battles in 2016 but it was clear after the game that these two teams had a lot of respect for each other.

Both teams came on the field after the game greeted each other on the field. It did not matter that these two teams have played in so many battles over the year, they all came together united. They all had one thing in common after all, and that is their love for baseball. These players may not have multi-million dollar salaries but work hard every day playing the game they love. The Pacifics and Stompers came together as true professionals of the game of baseball. The actions of these players unite these Northern California communities and give them something they can all cheer about.

As this journey of the 2016 season comes to a close, it is a little hard to believe. It seems like Sean Conroy was just announced as the opening day starter for the game on May 31 in Vallejo. What a journey it was in 2016. It had a little bit of everything ranging from a 10 inning complete game, to an all female battery to shatter barriers in the game of baseball. No matter where the Stompers franchise goes from here, they will always have this season as a fond memory. It is not every day that a team can bring a community together on a championship drive. Every member of this team is now a member of the Stomper family and will be united as brothers and sisters on the diamond forever. The 2016 Stompers truly were the boys, and girls of summer in the wine country.

Box Score

Gonsalves Hits First Professional Home Run In 10-5 Win Over Pacifcs

Erik Gonsalves became the first Stomper to hit a home run, and win a game as pitcher in franchise history in the Stompers 10-5 win over the Pacifcs. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

With the Stompers having already clinched the Pacific Association title, there wasn’t a whole lot on the line in the game Saturday night at Albert Park. Many of the normal starters were not in the lineup and three pitchers took the field on defense.  Pitcher Erik Gonsalves also hit for himself in the lineup. The game Saturday was not played for records or championships, but for the pure love for the game of baseball that these players have. It showed on the field in a 10-5 win over the Pacifics

Starter Nick DeBarr entered the sixth inning with a three run lead. But the Stompers offense had another big rally in them to come roaring back. Six Stompers hitters in a row reached with the tying run coming in on an RBI single by Adam Ogburn. Erik Gonzalves came to the plate after Ogburn with two runners on. On the first pitch of the at bat, Gonzalves launched his first home run of the season over the left field wall to give his team a three run cushion. All of the pitchers had eight RBIs combined. Jose Flores also doubled into deep left center field in the ninth to add on three insurance runs. For one night this group of pitchers went out and just enjoyed themselves, and had fun playing the game they loved.

“That was one of the most fun I’ve had in my life. That’s what happens when a group of players have fun, good things happen,” said Gonsalves. “I took two steps out of the box and realized that it was going to go out. I will always remember the game tonight because I was able to hit my first home run as a professional.”

Gonzalves also picked up the win for the Stompers pitching seven innings allowing two earned runs. Gonzalves in the process became the first Stomper in the history of the franchise to hit a home run, and pick up a win as a pitcher in the same game. Evan Neiser and Sean Conroy pitched two shutout innings to close the door on the Pacifics with Conroy striking out the side to put a bow on the game in the ninth.

The Stompers (47-30, 24-14 second half) will take the field for the final time in 2016 Sunday afternoon at Albert Park in the series finale against the Pacifics (40-37 19-19 second half). Sonoma has won eight in a row against the Pacifics in the second half, and will go for their third straight series sweep of the Pacifics. Sonoma had won three games all season at Albert Park coming into the series. It will not be a game that features talk of a pennant race or second half records, but if it is anything like the game Saturday it sure will be entertaining. 

Box Score

Stompers Clinch First Ever Pacific Association Championship In 5-4 Win

The Stompers clinched the Pacific Association title Friday in a 5-4 win over the Pacifics. It was their first title as a franchise. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Back and forth they went on a Friday night at Albert Park. There was no margin for error as the Stompers battled the Pacifics for their first ever Pacific Association championship. Friday’s battle was a fitting exclamation point to a record breaking season as the Stomper bullpen held the line in a 5-4 win over San Rafael to clinch the franchises’ first ever Pacific Association Championship. 

The Stomper bullpen pitched 5 1/3 innings scoreless innings in relief of Oliver Garcia to set the tone for the Stompers victory. Ryan Richardson pitched 3 1/3 scoreless striking out three batters. Richardson allowed only one base runner and retired eight in a row during one stretch. Adam Ogburn and Jose Flores polished things off in the final two innings to give the Stompers the victory. Flores struck out Brent Gillespie to record the final out of the game.  Flores recorded the final out with the bases loaded.  It was a fitting exclamation point to a second half that saw Sonoma fight back from adversity.

Sonoma was once 7-10 in the second half and was searching for answers. Manager Takashi Miyoshi challenged the team when they fell to that mark in a team meeting. It was not a despite cry for them to play better, but a challenge to play the way he knew they were capable. 
“I never had a doubt about my 23 of my guys, and knew that they were focused on winning,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi. “Ever since we lost in the championship game last year I thought about bringing a championship back to Sonoma. Doing that would mean making history. I am so happy we made our fans happy, and this title means a lot to me.”

Miyoshi lead the Stompers to their first title in his first full season as manager. The Stompers have won a franchise record 46 games in their third season of action. Miyoshi also became the first manager to win both the first and second half titles in the history of the Pacific Association. 
The Stomper offense battled back from an early two run deficit in the third with a three run inning Friday. Scott David hit his fourth home run of the season to drive in two in the inning. David was 2 for 4 with four driven in on the night. 

The success of the offense was key to their second half run. The Stompers hold a 17-5 mark in the month of August and the offense has scored in double digits in seven of those contests. Sonoma also defeated the defending champion Pacifics seven straight times in the month of August. After three years, the Stompers were finally able to get over the hump.

“This is the most complete team we have had in Sonoma in the three years that we have been here. We have a core of players like Matt Hibbert, and Joel Carranza that have been here since the very beginning,” said General Manager Theo Fightmaster. “They had scar tissue from the near misses in years past and were galvanized that they would not leave anything to doubt this season. It is a really cool feeling to finally achieve the goal that we have been trying to get to for three years.”

When the final out was recorded Friday it was far from a silent at Albert Park as a large contingent of the Stompers faithful followed the team to San Rafael to witness the moment. The fans had supported this team through so much through the season, and were rewarded with a title Friday. “Our fans made more noise on the road in an echoing ballpark than the locals did tonight and that is just the passion they bring to our ballpark every night,” said Fightmaster.  

After the lights went out Friday the celebration had just begun and for good reason as they have made their mark on not only the franchise, but on the entire Sonoma community. The Stompers (46-30, 23-14 second half) have two games remaining in this magical season at Albert Park. 

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