Sonoma Stompers Even Series Against Vallejo Admirals With 9-5 Victory

Brennan Metzger hit two home runs in Saturday’s 9-5 win over the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

Vallejo, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, evened a series against the Vallejo Admirals crucial in deciding the Pacific Association second half with a strong 9-5 victory on Saturday night.

“That team over there, is really good and If we don’t silence them early, they crawl back into ballgames, and that’s what they did,” said catcher Daniel Comstock. “Baseball is a game of momentum and I think we did a good job of keeping it on our side tonight.”

Comstock and Brennan Metzger combined to make a loud statement in the second off of Vallejo starter Brent Adheen, firing a pair of two-run home runs over the outfield fence to put Sonoma up 4-0.  Metzger hit another home run in the fifth, his fifth of the year.

“I was up there and just couldn’t find a way to get the barrel on it and finally I got (the first one) connected and it felt pretty good. It feels good when you hit the ball hard,” Metzger said. “I was watching some video of myself last night and just tried to take some of those things I was watching and bring it into the game today.”

Vallejo answered back with one run in the second and three in the third, tying the game at four. First baseman Graylin Derke collected three RBIs by the third inning off of Sonoma starter Scott Plaza, one a solo shot to right field. Derke’s jack was one of five in the contest.

Plaza went seven innings, keeping the Admirals scoreless in four of them and protecting a Sonoma lead that gained one run in each of the middle innings. RBI base hits from Derke and Nick Akins Sr. made the third the Admirals’ only multi-run inning.

“That was awesome, that’s a real easy situation for a pitcher to just kind of fall and crumble when things aren’t going his way, but he stuck with his stuff and grinded through it and gave us seven great innings tonight,” Metzger said.

The Stompers did not let up. Sonoma worked reliever Alex Fishberg for four straight walks in the sixth. In the eighth, Matt LoCoco hit a leadoff triple, setting the stage for Matt Hibbert to drive him in. An error allowed Sonoma to take a 9-5 lead in the frame. 

Reliever DJ Sharabi came in for plaza in the eighth and sent the remainder of the Admirals back to the dugout in order. Plaza and Sharabi’s efforts were backed by Masa Miyadera’s solid defense at third base. 

“Masa playing defense, making fundamental plays every time, that was game-changing. Some of the plays he made tonight saved us,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi. “If we go into a playoff game, defense and pitching always win games. This game to me, was huge, because now I know how to be ready for that one game.”

With the victory, the Stompers improve to 20-15 at one game back in the Pacific Association standings and nullify the chance of Vallejo clinching the second half over the weekend. 

Sonoma sends starter Ty’Relle Harris to the mound Sunday at 1:05 p.m., looking to take the series and move back into a tie for first. 

“Playoff time, we see everyone get intense, everybody trying to do too much, everybody wants to score. But the key to win a playoff game in a time like this, we just have to stay who we are and stick to our strengths,” Miyoshi said.

Tickets for a possible championship game in Sonoma and Stompers merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Vallejo Admirals Down Sonoma Stompers 13-8 in Critical Series Opener Despite Late-Inning Surge

Masa Miyadera went 3 for 3, tripling in the ninth inning of Friday’s 13-3 Sonoma Stompers loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park.

VALLEJO, Calif.–The Sonoma Stompers, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, were downed 13-8 by the Vallejo Admirals in the first of a critical three-game set.

Sonoma loaded the bases to lead off each of the first two frames, but the effort yielded just one run–not enough to keep the Admirals at bay. Vallejo sailed three, four and five-run innings to a two-game lead in the Pacific Association with five games left to play.

Stompers starter Juan Espinosa allowed three runs in four innings, pitching through two errors and six walks. Right-hander Logan Gillaspie was a bright spot on the mound, retiring the Vallejo batters in order after entering for Zach Wendorf in the sixth. Just one batter before, Chevy Clarke hit a bases-clearing double to give the Admirals a 9-3 lead. 

Dominic Topoozian also shined, bouncing back from a rough outing in San Rafael in which he allowed four earned in three innings. On Friday, Topoozian struck out three in one and a third. 

With Topoozian quieting the Admirals, Sonoma made noise in the later innings. 

Trailing 13-3 in the eighth, the Stompers strung together four runs with just one hit in the frame–a single from Daniel Baptista. The Stompers used a ground ball and a pair of bases-loaded walks to score the other three, rattling five walks and a hit by pitch out of Admirals reliever Andin Diaz in the inning. 

Masa Miyadera went 3 for 3 with two walks on the night, the only Stomper to record a multi-hit game. Miyadera lead off the ninth with a triple and came around to score, but the five late-inning runs weren’t enough to weather the storm. 

With the Pittsburg Diamonds losing to the last-place San Rafael Pacifics 4-0 on Friday, the race for the second half title is down to Vallejo and Sonoma. If the Admirals sweep the Stompers with wins on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m., they are two games closer to clinching the second half. 

Tickets for a possible championship game and Stompers merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

San Rafael Pacifics Down Sonoma Stompers 12-2 Behind Max Beatty's Near-Complete Game

Derrick Fox drove in one of the Stompers' two runs in Thursday's 12-2 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, dropped their last series of the season against the San Rafael Pacifics with a 12-2 loss at Albert Park on Thursday.

The Pacifics got off to a loud start with a Jake Taylor three-run home run in the first. San Rafael continued to add on in the second off of Stompers starter Taylor Thurber, as a red-hot Cameron Monger delivered an RBI double.

The Stompers went to the bullpen in the fourth, calling upon Dominic Topoozian. He proceeded to retire the side and strike out five in three innings.

Pacifics starter Max Beatty twirled a near-complete game, allowing five hits and two runs. Wenrich recorded the first Stompers hit of the night in the fourth, a double to the left-field corner. He also scored the first Stompers run as Derrick Fox singled him home.

Timely hits from Fox and Miyadera put Sonoma within two runs in the sixth, but the Pacifics came crashing back in the bottom of the frame. Monger sent a ball from Topoozian over the left field fence for a grand slam, putting San Rafael ahead 8-2.

Monger’s moonshot was the second grand slam at Albert Park in two days, the first one being off the bat of Joel Carranza in the Stompers’ favor. As a team, the Stompers have hit about half as many home runs (41) as the Pacifics (77) on the season.

With the Vallejo Admirals winning, the Stompers fall to second place at 19-14 in the second-half Pacific Association standings. If the Stompers do not win the second half, a championship game will be held at at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on Sept. 1 at 7:05.

Tickets for a possible championship game and Stompers merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Tickets for Possible Championship Game at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark Available NOW!

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, are on the hunt to defend their 2016 Pacific Association Championship. With the Vallejo Admirals and Pittsburg Diamonds on the Stompers' tail, the last seven games of the season are sure to be a thrill.

If the Stompers do not come in first in the second half, the 2017 one-game Championship will be held at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7:05 p.m. Ticket sales are now open.

In the event that the Stompers win the second-half title and become the outright champions, all tickets for the game will be refunded.

Season ticket holders will have the option to buy tickets for the Championship Game at a special discount. The KRAVE Klub will be available to Werowocomoco Club season ticket holders. All season ticket holders will have until 3 p.m. on Aug. 28 to purchase their seats before they will be offered to the public.

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Get Your Tickets Here:

GRANDSTAND | BLEACHERS

Grand Slam Lifts Sonoma Stompers Over San Rafael Pacifics in 10-5 Victory

Joel Carranza (left) hit a grand slam in Wednesday's 10-5 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– A seven-run rogue wave in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 10-5 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics kept the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, afloat at Albert Park.

“We’re confident in the seventh, eighth, ninth innings that we’re going to battle, we’re going to get guys on base and we’re going to score,” said center fielder Matt Hibbert. “I think just knowing that we’ve done it before just gives us that confidence that we can do it again.”

Sonoma starter Erik Gonsalves did not allow an earned run until the seventh, when San Rafael sailed through a 3-1 Stompers lead. Trailing by two runs, Sonoma answered back with five hits, including a grand slam off the bat of Joel Carranza.

“It feels great to put your team ahead and help your team win. Now, in crunch time, with (the Vallejo Admirals) doing as good as they are, and us doing as good as we are, it’s a big thing to do,” Carranza said.

Earlier this season, Carranza broke the league record for career home runs at Albert Park. His shot on Wednesday was his 13th of the year.

Hibbert was also an offensive force Wednesday, going 4 for 6 and crossing the plate twice and driving in a run.

“We just want to apply pressure in any way. It can come by a hit, it can come by me walking or getting on base somehow, some way. But once I’m on, I feel confident that I can get over to second base and find a way to score,” Hibbert said.

Brennan Metzger and Daniel Baptista also continued to deliver for Sonoma, going 2 for 4 with to RBIs and 1 for 3 with two walks and two runs, respectively.

Through his first six innings, Gonsalves allowed no earned runs, issued no walks and gave up just three hits.

“He’s a veteran. He knows what he can do and what he can’t, and he knows how to go out there and do what he can to the best of his ability,” Carranza said.

Together in relief, newcomer Logan Gillaspie and 2017 stalwart Zach Wendorf allowed no runs.

With the Admirals also taking victory on Wednesday, the two teams remain tied at the top of the Pacific Association standings. The Stompers play the series-deciding game against the Pacifics on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. before heading to Vallejo for a three-game set beginning Friday.

“We control our own destiny,” Hibbert said. “We’re focused on what we have to do, not looking elsewhere.”

Tickets for a possible championship game at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field and Stompers merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Lose Second Extra-Inning Game of Season, Fall 6-5 to San Rafael Pacifics

Ty'Relle Harris (left) returned to the mound for the Stompers and pitched five innings of scoreless ball in Sonoma's 6-5 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics in extras. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.–The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, lost just their second extra-inning contest of the season Tuesday with a 5-4 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics.

Offense came in bursts in the game, which gave the Pacifics their first extra-inning victory of the season. Prior to extras, all but three frames were scoreless.

Ty’Relle Harris, in his return to the mound for the Stompers after a brief stint in the American Association, pitched five shutout innings against San Rafael. Harris struck out eight through six and did not issue a single walk. All four runs earned came in the sixth inning and three of those came on a home run off the bat of Cameron Monger.

DJ Sharabi also executed another excellent outing, coming into Tuesday with an earned run average of zero in his last eight appearances. Sharabi has not allowed a run since Aug. 2.

In the ninth, the Pacifics loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch. Jake Taylor, 3 for 5 on the night and the league leader in home runs, stepped up to the plate. Jacob Cox struck him out to send the game to extras.

Daniel Baptista went 3 for 4 with a walk and picked up a run batted in, starting a rally in the fifth that left the Stompers with a 4-0 lead. Baptista came into Tuesday hitting .389 in the last seven days.

In the tenth, a critical baserunning mishap and an excellent play by Pacifics catcher Ricky Gingras combined to secure the Stompers’ downfall.

The Stompers keep their one-game lead in the Pacific Association standings for now, as the contest between the second-best Vallejo Admirals and the Pittsburg Diamonds is delayed due to a power outage at Wilson Park.

With the loss, Sonoma falls to 18-13 in the second half and 46-25 overall.

Sonoma Stompers Defeat Vallejo Admirals 6-5 in Final Regular Season Home Game

The Sonoma Stompers celebrate on the field at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark after securing a 6-5 win over the Vallejo Admirals in their last regular season home game on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers last regular season home game of the season began with a helicopter flyover and ended with the team ascending into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Association standings.  

Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, the Stompers ended their regular season schedule at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark in dramatic fashion with a 6-5 victory over the Vallejo Admirals. The two teams have been hovering around first place for most of the second half of the season, taking the lead in tandem. 

“We’re just going to take it one game at a time and keep playing hard,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi. “Mistakes happen, but we just have to pick each other up. Tonight, we trusted each other. From day one, this team has been great.”

In the eighth with one out, Vallejo reliever Tim Holmes loaded the bases with Stompers. His replacement, Andin Diaz struck out two but yielded two runs on a pair of wild pitches to give Sonoma a two-run lead. 

Facing the heart of the Admirals lineup, Cox came in to pitch the top of the ninth and gave up a home run to Tillman Pugh. It was Pugh’s second home run of the game and third in two days. A couple of batters later, a slick double play ended the game. 

Sonoma starter Scott Plaza went four innings and allowed two earned runs, solo shots of the bats of Pugh and Shawn Payne and Pugh. Pugh and Payne also hit a pair of home runs on Saturday. 

“I respect Vallejo. Their players are playing really great baseball,” Miyoshi said. “Compared to the first half, they just upgraded the team. We just really have to keep up.”

Early in the game, the Stompers took advantage of Admirals errors with timely singles, but four runs wouldn’t hold up. In the seventh, the Admirals scored on an error and walked in a run to tie the game. 

Brennan Metzger dazzled on Sunday, taking a three-run home run from Chris Fornaci with a leaping catch in left. On offense, Metzger drove in a third of the Stompers’ runs. Daniel Baptista and Derrick Fox both went 2 for 3 on the night. Fox was one third of the double play that ended the game and drove in one run.

The Stompers have just nine road games left to secure the second-half title and become the outright 2017 Pacific Association champions. The team returns to action Tuesday against the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park at 7:05 p.m.

“I just want to thank everyone that showed up to the ballpark this season and the Stompers family who work behind the game,” Miyoshi said. “An independent league team like this, without their support we wouldn’t exist.”

STOMPERS TICKETS

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game. 

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Fall 6-2 to Vallejo Admirals Despite Matt Hibbert's Home Run, Stacy Piagno's Strong Outing in Relief

Stacy Piagno takes the mound during Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, sunk back into a first-place tie with a 6-2 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Saturday.

Stompers starter Juan Espinosa struck out six in six innings, allowing four earned runs. In relief, Stacy Piagno contributed two innings of scoreless ball, extending a nine-inning scoreless streak to 11. 

“Between knowing the hitters and just being confident in myself, both physically and mentally, I think that’s what has made me successful,” Piagno said. “Now that I’m able to continue getting innings I’m just getting more confident and more confident”

Entering to a rousing ovation from the fans, Piagno’s only blemishes were a walk and a single from Nick Akins, Sr.

“She knows herself. She knows what she wants to do with hitters and she attacks them where they’re weak,” said center fielder Matt Hibbert. “It doesn’t matter who you are–Girl, boy, tall, short, whatever. She knows her approach and she sticks with it and that’s why she’s successful.”

Demetrius Banks, the Admirals’ crafty left-hander, pitched seven innings of five-hit, one-run ball and picked up the win. His lone earned run came off the bat of Hibbert, and went over the outfield fence. Hibbert notched the only multi-hit night for the Stompers. 

Most of the game’s offense came by way of the long ball, as both Tillman Pugh and Shawn Payne hit dingers for the Admirals. Pugh and Payne were responsible for four of the Admirals’ six runs on the night.

On defense, Stompers right fielder Matt LoCoco made two excellent catches in right, firing up the crowd at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark.

The Stompers fall to 45-22 on the season, 17-11 in the second half while Vallejo improves to 29-39, 17-11. The series-deciding game is scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m.

“We know it’s going to be a grind down the stretch. Vallejo is a really good team right now and we’re right there with them,” Hibbert said. “We just have to treat every game like a one-game playoff.”

DON’T MISS THE LAST STOMPERS HOME GAME
Sunday’s contest is also the last Stompers home game of 2017, when the team will host FOX KTVU 2 for a helicopter flyover to promote their exciting new lineup of Fall shows. The event is part of the FOX Fall Fan Fest and will promote “Ghosted,” “The Gifted” and “The Orville.”

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets are also available at the box office.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Regain League Lead with 3-2, Walk-Off Hit-By-Pitch Victory Over Vallejo Admirals

The Sonoma Stompers celebrate after Yuki Yasuda is hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, securing a walk-off 3-2 victory over the Vallejo Admirals. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the Vallejo Admirals 3-2 on a walk-off hit by pitch to retake the top spot in the Pacific Association standings.

“We understand that we took the first half, but we want the second half. Vallejo is the only thing standing in our way at this point,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “To see how much closer we came as a team tonight really shows why we can pull something like this off”

While Vallejo starter Mahlik Jones worked five strong innings, Taylor Thurber struck out eight through six, walking just two and allowing one earned run.

“Here’s this guy so goofy people underestimate him and then here comes ninety,” Wenrich said.

In the seventh with one out and runners on second and third, Jacob Cox entered the game. He recorded two quick groundouts.

“Cox comes in, gets the huge outs. That’s who he’s been,” Wenrich said. “He’s been in that closer role for a while and all of the sudden we bring him out in the seventh and he looks like a closer.”

His performance in the frame proved a turning point as Cox shut down the Admirals’ rally and paved the way for Sonoma to take the lead on an error in bottom of the inning.

“When our bats might not have it, our pitchers step up,” Wenrich said.

The Stompers continued to flirt with danger. With a 2-1 Sonoma lead and no outs in the top of the ninth, Chevy Clarke reached second when a ball went past Brennan Metzger in left.

Then, a close call on a throw from Isaac Wenrich allowed Clarke to take third. The Admirals tied it on a ground ball from Akins, Sr.

The next inning, the Stompers drew three walks before closer Sammy Gervacio hit Yuki Yasuda with a pitch, securing the Stompers win. The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Move Back into First-Place Tie With 4-3 Victory Over Vallejo Admirals

Erik Gonsalves pitched four scoreless innings in his first start of 2017 in Thursday’s 4-3 victory over the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

VALLEJO, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, moved back into first place with a 4-3 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Thursday. With the win, the Stompers and Admirals’ records both become 16-11, tied at first place in the Pacific Association standings. 

Sonoma took a two-run lead right off the bats of Joel Carranza and Daniel Baptista in the first inning. Baptista went 3 for 4 and drove in half of the Stompers runs on the night. Coming into Thursday, Baptista had recorded a hit in eight of his last ten games. 

“(This win) was huge. Bullpen came up yesterday, shut it down, and did the same thing today. If we have that going, it’s going to be tough to beat us especially if we’re putting runs up early,” Baptista said.

It was the third time in the series the Stompers struck in the first frame. This time, the Admirals did not brew a big inning in the bottom half. Vallejo scored 14 runs combined in the bottom of the first innings of Tuesday and Wednesday's games. 

Instead, starter Erik Gonsalves kept Vallejo off the board until the fifth. Making his first start since the end of the 2016 season, Gonsalves allowed just one hit through four. 

Out of the pen, Stomper Logan Gillaspie and DJ Sharabi also delivered three strikeouts in one inning of relief apiece while Jacob Cox closed it out. It was another solid performance by the Stompers’ pen, as relief arms combined to throw six scoreless innings in Wednesday night’s game as well. 

With the victory, the Stompers avoid getting swept by Vallejo for the second series in a row. 

“It was good that we won the last one. Now we’re back home and the momentum is back on our side,” Gonsalves said. 

THIS WEEKEND AT PEOPLES HOME EQUITY BALLPARK

The two teams face off again this weekend in Sonoma, continuing the fight for sole possession of first place and kicking off the last Stompers homestand of the season. First pitch for all three games is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

On Friday, the Stompers will host fans of two legs and four legs alike for Bark in the Park Night, presented by Pets Lifeline. Bring your costumed critter and enter to win best costume, plus enjoy concourse activities and get adoption information.

Star Wars Night on Saturday also features a costume contest (this time for humans) ahead of Fan Appreciation & FOX Night on Sunday. See previews of FOX’s exciting new lineup of TV, including “Ghosted,” “The Orville” and “The Gifted” and be a part of a pre-game helicopter flyover thanks to Helico Sonoma. 

STOMPERS TICKETS

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game. 

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.