Sonoma Stompers Succumb to San Rafael Pacifics' Two Homers in 7-2 Loss

Juan Espinosa ties his record for strikeouts in a game against San Rafael on Friday at People's Home Equity Ballpark. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, were defeated 7-2 by the San Rafael Pacifics in Friday’s matchup despite Juan Espinosa’s forceful performance.

Espinosa tied his season-high in strikeouts with nine, giving up only two runs over seven and one-third innings pitched.

“I was just attacking the hitters’ weaknesses. That’s what’s been helping us out. We know these guys and we face them a lot," Espinosa said. "We just need to keep pounding whatever their weaknesses are.. That’s what the game comes down to."

The Pacifics jumped on Sonoma early with a two-run homer from Juan Herrera in the second inning, but failed to score through the following five. Herrera also sealed the Pacifics’ lead with his second home run of the night, a grand slam.

“The guy was feeling it today. The ball runs into his swing path and he hits it out. It hurts us… It’s very deflating to come back after that,” Espinosa said.

Newly-signed left fielder Derrick Fox singled and doubled in the game, bringing in the first run of the night. Fox returns to Sonoma after playing for the Stompers in 2016, spending time in the American Association.

“The city of Sonoma has always been a great atmosphere every time I’ve been out here. It’s always easy to come out here and be comfortable, play hard, and have fun,” Fox said, “I was a little nervous, but I made a few adjustments and was seeing the ball well so I just put a good swing on it and hoped for the best.”

“That’s ‘D. Fox’ power right there. We’re happy to have him back. We missed him and he’s definitely a big asset to our team, especially in this last second-half run. We need him big-time,” Espinosa said.

San Rafael starter Nick DeBarr gave up one earned run through seven innings, backing the Pacifics’ offensive attack.

“DeBarr had a great game. He kept us off balance and was mixing it up really well and keeping the ball down. He executed better than we did,” Espinosa said.

In a late comeback attempt, Daniel Baptista went deep to left in the eighth with an RBI-double to give the Stompers a second run.

“This whole game we were close. It was just two pitches that changed the game. That’s the game we play. That’s baseball. We just need to execute when we have to, especially in those crucial moments with bases loaded. It’s tough. It’s not easy,” Espinosa said.

The Stompers drop to 36-13 on the season, while the Pacifics improve to 22-27. Looking for redemption, Sonoma will look to take control of the series tomorrow in another 6 o’clock game at People’s Home Equity Ballpark in Sonoma.

“We just have to put a better effort together as an offense tomorrow as a team and hopefully tomorrow we’ll get that win,” Fox said.

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 Win 6-3 Over San Rafael Pacifics in an Extra-Innings Showdown

Scott David hits an RBI single to give the Sonoma Stompers a three-run lead against the San Rafael Pacifics in the tenth inning on Thursday at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Stompers Baseball

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, won 6-3 in an extra-inning battle over the San Rafael Pacifics on Thursday, redeeming a hard-fought loss the night before to take the series.

“The biggest thing we did today was put yesterday behind us. I think (catcher Isaac Wenrich) said it best when he said ‘It’s Thursday today. Wednesday doesn’t matter anymore,’ so we just came out with confidence like we have been for 50 games already and know that we’re a better team than that. We showed that today,” said starter Scott Plaza.

Plaza allowed just one earned run over six and two-thirds innings in an otherwise spotless performance, keeping the Pacifics scoreless through five.

“Scott and I have had a couple good games this year. I caught his complete game over in Sonoma. Tonight, everything was working. Every pitch that I called he trusted me and threw with conviction. He pitched a phenomenal game tonight,” said catcher Daniel Comstock.

“I was able to establish my cutter early. That was the game plan with Comstock, was to attack with the cutter and then work everything off of that,” Plaza said.

Comstock bolstered Sonoma’s offensive attack on the Pacifics, smacking three hits and driving in a run.

“Tonight, for some reason, the ball just looked really big. I was comfortable at the plate and felt free. I wasn’t tight at all,” Comstock said.

In the second back-and-forth battle of the series, the Pacifics tied the game in the eighth with a bases-loaded RBI double from Mark Lindsay.

Reliever Jacob Cox delivered an unblemished outing, paving the way for a Stompers tenth-inning rally.

“It’s fun to catch him because he throws hard and it moves. Every pitch that I call for him I think, ‘they’re not going to touch this,’ ” Comstock said.

“In a crucial moment, a guy like Cox is the best guy from the bullpen for us,” Miyoshi said.

The Stompers put up three runs in the ninth, two of which came off the bat of third baseman Scott David. Zach Wendorf pitched the final inning of the game.

In stark contract the Pacifics’ five errors, the Stompers made several strong defensive plays, including a diving catch from Marcus Bradley in right and an Isaac Wenrich backhanded grab at first.

“Everybody was on it tonight because we know last night we just beat ourselves. They didn’t beat us,” Miyoshi said.  “We were ready to come back tonight and we did.”

The Stompers improve to 36-12 on the season, while the Pacifics fall to 21-27.

Looking to add to a five-game lead over the second-place Diamonds, Sonoma will return home to face San Rafael Friday at 6 p.m. at People’s Home Equity Ballpark.

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 8-7 to San Rafael Pacifics, Snap Nine-Game Win Streak

Marcus Bradley went 2 for 2 with three walks in Wednesday’s 8-7 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, fell 8-7 to the San Rafael Pacifics on Wednesday night, snapping a nine-game overall win streak and 7-0 run to start the second half.  

The Stompers fall to 35-12 on the season but still sit at the top of the league 11 games ahead of the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds overall, while the Pacifics improve to .500 in the second half.

Stompers starter Taylor Thurber has been dominant this season, coming into the game 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He delivered again on the mound through four innings before the Pacifics shook five combined runs out of him in the fifth and sixth.

“Thurber competes every time he’s up there. Tonight probably wasn’t his best stuff, but he still competed all the way until he got pulled out,” said right fielder Marcus Bradley.

Coming into Wednesday, Thurber had not allowed more than two runs in an outing this season.

Neither team’s offense struggled to gain momentum throughout the night. For the Stompers, veteran Yuki Yasuda knocked his third extra base hit in three days and went 3 for 4 on the night. Yasuda hit two home runs in the two games leading up to Wednesday, when he sent two balls to the warning track in deep left.

Bradley walked three times and scored two of the Stomper runs while contributing two hits on the night. Bradley and the Pacifics’ Demetrius Moorer have drawn 44 walks apiece this season, 11 more than the next-best player in the league.

“I was just trying to get on base. I was the two-hole hitter, so that’s my job, to let the big bats do their jobs,” Bradley said.

With the game tied in the seventh inning, Daniel Baptista roped a double to center to bring in Yasuda and give the Stompers back their lead. But it wouldn’t last long, as the Pacifics’ roared back with two runs in the eighth to make the score 8-3 San Rafael.

The Stompers face the Pacifics in a series-deciding matchup on Thursday at Albert Park at 7:05.

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.

Joel Carranza, Dominic Topoozian Deliver as Sonoma Stompers Earn Ninth Straight Win with 8-3 Victory Over San Rafael Pacifics

Joel Carranza went 2 for 4 with three RBIs in Tuesday's 8-3 trouncing of 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, broke a franchise record for wins to start a half with Tuesday’s 8-3 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park.

“Honestly, it's just been holding to the same approach of our first half,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “We're a family here and we pull for each other.”

The Stompers improve to 7-0 in the second half and have won nine in a row overall, surpassing the previous franchise record of six straight wins set at the beginning of the 2015 season en route to an 18-3 start.

On Tuesday, Yuki Yasuda set the offense ablaze with a second-inning solo home run off of Pacifics starter Max Beatty. It was Yasuda’s second home run in as many games and his fifth of the season.

Meanwhile, Stompers starter Tyler Garkow pitched five innings of one-run ball, then handed the the game to Ryan Richardson. Garkow’s strong showing gave him the win, improving his record to 5-1.

Richardson struck out the side in the sixth before Dominic Topoozian into the game in the next frame with the bases loaded. At the plate was the tying run and the Pacifics’ most powerful offensive threat, Jake Taylor.

“Obviously he’s a great hitter… My mentality was just attacking him with my best stuff, really trying to get ahead and that’s what I did,” Topoozian said. “I think what really stood out for me was being able to have my teammates’ backs, especially with the run we’re going on.”

Taylor leads the Pacific Association with 14 home runs, just four more than reigning Most Valuable Player and league home-run king Joel Carranza. Carranza drove in three on Tuesday and recorded a triple while Wenrich went 3 for 5.

“Ever since I stepped foot in the locker room these guys have been nothing but good guys to me,” Topoozian said. “It’s fun being with them. I’m glad I came to a great organization.”

The Stompers improve to 7-0 in the second half, 35-11 overall while the Pacifics drop to 20-26. First pitch in Wednesday’s rematch with San Rafael is set for 7:05.

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.

KPIX: Bay Area Female Baseball Player Proves She Belongs With The Men

By Brian Stites, originally published by CBS SF Bay Area

SONOMA (KPIX) – Stacy Piagno wanted to extend her baseball career when she moved to Sonoma last summer to play for the Stompers – she ended up making history in the process.

The Stompers are one of four teams in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs that have rosters loaded with former collegiate players trying to catch the eye of a big league scout.

Last July, Piagno and Kelsie Whitmore signed with the Stompers, and became the first female teammates to start a game together with the men.

“When we debuted them, there was a lot of speculation that this was a pure PR stunt,” said Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster.

The product on the field alone doesn’t fill the bleachers on a nightly basis at Arnold Field, but Fightmaster hopes that pushing baseball boundaries will help his bottom line and make the game more inclusive at the same time.

Two years ago, pitcher Sean Conroy suited up for the Stompers as the first openly gay baseball player, and Sonoma got national spotlight attention – this time it had nothing to do with another award-winning bottle of wine. 

Then on July 15, more history. Stompers manager Takashi Miyoshi elected to pull Piagno out of the bullpen for her first start of the season.

She pitched seven innings against the Pittsburg Diamonds, allowed only a run, didn’t walk a batter and struck out four. She became the third female pitcher to pick up a win against the men since the 1950s.

“Last year Kelsie and I were recognized for being girls and being her,” Piagno said. “This year, what was so special for me, I actually got recognized for playing and something that I physically had done.”

Whitmore played left field during the historic game, and was in the fray when Piagno got the water jug dumped on her after the 16-1 victory.

“I was honored to be a part of that game,” Whitmore said.

Piagno always preferred playing baseball with the boys instead of softball with the girls. She pitched in little league growing up in Florida and later made the baseball team at Menendez High School in St. Augustine.

Playing with the guys in Sonoma is nothing new.

“There’s a heightened amount of respect for her in this league now,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich who was behind the plate for Piagno’s win. “She went seven innings – there aren’t guys in his league who do that.”

Piagno isn’t lighting up the radar gun with her fastball. She claims her maximum velocity is 80 miles per hour, which is below average in the Pacific Association, but she’s learning the nuances of pitching through accuracy and preparation.

“I had two strikeouts last year and was just happy to have my first strikeout,” she said. “The things that used to make me happy last year aren’t good enough anymore.”

The 25-year-old has plenty to be happy about in her baseball career. In 2015 she threw a no-hitter at the Pan-Am games and won the gold medal with the country’s best female hardball players.

Recognition is coming on a much smaller stage in the wine country. Her male teammates are supportive, but give her good-natured ribbing for all the attention.

“She’s the sister I never wanted,” Wenrich jokingly said after he caught Piagno’s bullpen session.

The Stompers nickname comes from the nearby vineyards in Sonoma, but the team is hoping Piagno’s success on the diamond will stomp out some old baseball ideals.

“The four and five year old boys here look up to Kelsie and Stacy as ball players,” said Fightmaster. “Not women ballplayers, but just ball players. And I think that’s where we’re going to see progress and change.”

Valley of the Moon Magazine: A Day in The Life of Joel Carranza

By Jonah Raskin, originally published in Valley of the Moon Magazine.

No two days are identical in Joel Carranza’s three-months-long baseball season, but almost every day has a routine, whether he’s playing at home in Sonoma or on the road in Vallejo, San Rafael or Pittsburg. Carranza’s big idea—or at least one of them—is to be relaxed, especially in the batter’s box when relaxing can pay off with a hit or a walk.

A righty, Carranza plays first base, bats fourth and leads the Stompers in home runs with four this season, which began in June and runs until the very last day of August. So far he’s hitting .303, which is close to where he’d like to be. At 28, he’s the second oldest player on the team and a legend in the

Pacific Association of Professional Base- ball (PAPB). No one has hit more home runs than he has in the league.

For eight or nine months of the year Carranza lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he works as an administration assistant in an elementary school. When the baseball career is behind him, he’d like to work in education. “ I just love the kids.”

Three to four months he’s in Sonoma at the home of Margaret and Don Hage, who are big Stompers fans and who make his stay here as comfortable as could be.

Recently, I sat down with Carranza in the bleachers at Arnold Field and talked with him about his life on and off the diamond. Later that same day, the Stompers defeated the San Rafael Pacifics 11 to 3. It was their sixth straight win. What follows are Joel Carranza’s cogent comments on the sport the Stompers have brought to Sonoma since the summer of 2014, and in the process making the town proud.

“I wake up maybe 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on how late the previous game goes, which could be three-and-a- half to four hours. That comes with the territory. There’s no place I’d rather be than on a baseball field.

“I don't set an alarm before I go to sleep at night. I don’t want to rush. In the morning, I’ll have coffee and sit outside, maybe near the swimming pool in the backyard. Sometimes I’ll remember my boyhood when I played ball with my father and we had the best of times together.

“It’s tough being a minor league player. We do it for the dream, not for the money. Not everyone who deserves to make it to the majors does make it. Sometimes a player will be stuck in the minors his whole career. My goal is to reach the majors, have my name on the back of my jersey and have kids ask for my autograph. In Sonoma, the kids are the biggest reward; they carry me through the season, through wins and losses, batting and fielding.

“I like to get to the ballpark by noon. I’m the hitting coach as well as a player, so I have more responsibilities than some of the others on the team. I have a good eye for stuff and help batters with their stance and their swing.

“Most days we’re back and forth from the locker room to the field where we do stretching and warm-ups. In elders catch ground balls and throw to me at first base. In the afternoon, we might have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s tough eating during the day ‘cause we’re so busy. After the game we’ll have pizza or pasta from Red Grape or another place.

“In the locker room, before game time, we put on our uniforms and talk about which hitters on the other team are hot and what strategy we’ll need to win. At 5:30 or so, we go out on the field and our starting pitcher warms up.

“When it’s my turn to bat I visualize what success will look like. I don’t pay all that much attention to stats because that puts me into my own head too much. Still, I know I’m second on the team in runs batted in. I also just broke the league record for home runs. To hit a homer at Arnold Field, the ball has to travel a long way; in center field that’s 435 feet from home.

“At bat, I look for a fastball in the strike zone. I watch the pitcher go into his windup, see where he’s gonna release the ball, and if it will be a curve, a change-up or a fastball. I notice the spin on the ball, and I keep my eye on it the whole time it travels toward me.

“It’s more challenging for me as a batter now than when I started. I’m known in the league and the opposing pitchers are not giving me a lot to hit. I might have to change my approach, make adjustments, move back in the box or choke up on the bat. In baseball, if you succeed as a hitter one-third of the time, you’ll make it to the Hall of Fame. I’m aiming for a .333 batting average.

“At first base, holding my glove in hand, I don’t want to be a deer caught in the headlights and freeze. I visualize what might happen. I’ve learned that from the coaches here who’ve taken me, and some of the other guys, under their wings.

“There’s great camaraderie in the locker room and on the field. Coaches and teammates are inspiring. I read the Bible and sometimes I’ll say a prayer before a game. On my arm I have a bunch of tattoos: one of St. Michael slaying a demon; another that’s an angel with a cross; a third that’s of Jesus; and also a verse from Philippians 4:13. I try to be a little bit better every game. There’s not a day that’s lost all season.”

Jonah Raskin grew up as a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Now he roots for the Stompers.

See the full article here.

Kelsie Whitmore, Stacy Piagno Honored at AT&T Park in Pre-Game Ceremony

Stacy Piagno, Kelsie Whitmore, Theo Fightmaster and Takashi Miyoshi stand alongside the Women's Deaf National Soccer Team during a pre-game ceremony at AT&T Park on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Stacy Piagno, Kelsie Whitmore, Theo Fightmaster and Takashi Miyoshi stand alongside the Women's Deaf National Soccer Team during a pre-game ceremony at AT&T Park on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Stacy Piagno (left) and Kelsie Whitmore (right) pose with Julie Croteau, the first woman to play men's NCAA baseball, on the field at AT&T Park on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Takashi Miyoshi, Tim Livingston and Theo Fightmaster take part in a pre-game ceremony on "Girls Day" at AT&T Park on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Stacy Piagno (left) and Kelsie Whitmore (right) chat with Julie Croteau, the first woman to play men's NCAA baseball, at AT&T Park on Sunday. (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, made an appearance on the field before the San Francisco Giants took on the San Diego Padres on Sunday as Stacy Piagno and Kelsie Whitmore were honored for their contributions to women in sports.

“It’s just great to be around other female athletes who are trying to accomplish the same things as us whether it’s in baseball or whatever sport they’re playing,” Piagno said. “It was a lot of fun, especially getting to go out to AT&T Park. I’ve never been.”

As part of "Girls Day," Whitmore and Piagno were recognized alongside members of the Stanford Women’s volleyball and tennis teams, the Deaf Women’s National Soccer Team, Olympic Silver Medalist Anne Span, pioneer female swimmer Anne Cribbs and Julie Croteau, the first woman to play on an NCAA men’s baseball team.

Whitmore and Piagno got the chance to chat with Croteau, who also played with the women's professional Colorado Silver Bullets and coached at NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“When I heard that she had played baseball at (St. Mary’s College of Maryland) I got so excited to hear that someone else pursued a dream that Stacy and I both pursued,” Whitmore said. “She was a really cool person. I was honored to have met her.”

Croteau also formerly coached the USA Women’s National Baseball Team, which Whitmore and Piagno are both currently members of.

Stompers president and general manager Theo Fightmaster and manager Takashi Miyoshi were also on hand during the ceremony.

“It's an incredible honor for this organization to be recognized by the San Francisco Giants, one of the most prestigious organizations in all of professional sports,” Fightmaster said. “It's a testament to the impact Stacy and Kelsie have made on the game of baseball. I also want to acknowledge their manager, Takashi Miyoshi, and the rest of the team for accepting, respecting and challenging these women.”

The Giants have held a “Girls Day” in 17 of 18 seasons at AT&T Park. This one was put on in partnership with the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and Coaching Core.

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 Defeat Pittsburg Diamonds 5-4 Behind Walk-Off Homer From Matt Hibbert

Isaac Wenrich and Matt Hibbert celebrates a 5-4 walk-off victory against the Pittsburg Diamonds at People's Home Equity Ballpark on Sunday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Stompers Baseball

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the Pittsburg Diamonds 5-4 in a game that began with a strong start from Ty’Relle Harris and ended with a walk-off homer from Matt Hibbert.

“It was just a great game. The last two games have shown that this team is one of the best teams in the league so we have to grind it out,” Miyoshi said. “A game like this makes the team better.”

Trailing by two, Hibbert recorded the second walk-off hit of the series with a tenth-inning, three-run shot.

“I’m feeling ecstatic right now,” Hibbert said. “I just visualized myself doing it before I got up there and made it happen.”

Starter Ty’Relle Harris pitched eight innings, allowing one earned run. He held the Diamonds scoreless through six and issued just two walks. Despite spending time on the inactive list, Harris has 48 strikeouts on the season.

“(The pitching staff) is just giving us whatever they’ve got. Guys might be banged up or sore or whatever else, but when they come to the mound they’re going to compete,” Hibbert said. “On the offensive end, we just want to do our part.”

Both teams remained scoreless through the fourth inning.

Behind Harris, Isaac Wenrich recorded one of five hits for the Stompers and scored the first run of the game, stealing home on a wild pitch. Yuki Yasuda also homered in the game, delivering a “Yuki Bomb” to left field in the sixth.

The Diamonds responded quickly, scoring runs in both the seventh and eighth to turn the matchup into an extra-inning showdown.

With the win, Sonoma ties their best start to a half in franchise history at 6-0. The Stompers improve to 34-11 on the season while the Diamonds fall to 23-22.

“Everybody thinks we’re going to win the second half. We’re not going to try to go for the one game playoff. We know we’re good enough to win the second half too. Everybody just needs to keep grinding for that,” Miyoshi said.

The Stompers head to San Rafael for a three-game series against the Pacifics beginning Tuesday.

“It’s a daily process. We have to take every day, every pitch, every inning to get there. We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s a good start, but we still have work to do,” Hibbert said.

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.

Brennan Metzger Walk-Off Single Caps Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 Victory Over Pittsburg Diamonds

Matt LoCoco (left) and Brennan Metzger (right) celebrate after Metzger hit a game-winning single to defeat the Pittsburg Diamonds 6-5 at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark on Saturday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– Left fielder Brennan Metzger smacked the first walk-off hit of his baseball career to give the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds.

Metzger played college ball at Division I Long Beach State before being playing three Minor League seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization. 

“There’s a first time for everything and that was it,” Metzger said. “The first three guys got on, they did a good job so I was just trying to follow suit.”

After crushing the Pittsburg Diamonds 10-1 Friday, the Stompers battled through a close contest Saturday. Trailing by one and down to their last three outs and runners on first and second, Marcus Bradley knocked a base hit up the middle to tie the game.

With the victory, the Stompers start the second half of the season undefeated at 5-0 and improve their overall record to 33-11. They also started the first half 5-0.

“A lot of us are comfortable in big situations. We have a very good lineup. Guys hit one through nine,” said designated hitter and hitting coach Joel Carranza. “It makes it fun to have such a great group of ballplayers to come out and play the game every day and help us win.”

The Stompers’ formidable lineup struck for three runs off of Diamonds starter Corey McDonald, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the efforts of a talented Pittsburg team through the first eight innings.

Vinny Guglietti, who has lead the Diamonds and the Pacific Association in hitting for most of the year, sent a solo shot to right while center fielder Wes Wallace hit two.

The Stompers have been dominant when the game is on the line thus far this season, and Saturday’s contest was a testament to that prowess under pressure.

“We have faith in our team and we just never give up. The game isn’t over until the last out is recorded,” Metzger said.

The Stompers applied pressure in the eighth, coming within one run on a Carranza RBI. Carranza, the Pacific Association home run king, also homered earlier in the game and was responsible for three of the six Stompers runs.

“It always feels good to hit a home run, especially here at home where you have the crowd behind you,” Carranza said.

Aside from Carranza, three other Stompers recorded multiple hits on the night. Bradley and Metzger each went 3 for 4 on the night.

The Stompers take on the Diamonds again on Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at 6 p.m. All Stompers weekend home games will begin at 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season.

WHITMORE & PIAGNO TO BE HONORED AT AT&T PARK

Prior to the game, outfielder Kelsie Whitmore and pitcher Stacy Piagno will be honored  at AT&T Park prior to the Giants' game against the San Diego Padres.

Whitmore and Piagno became the first female teammates on a co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950’s when they signed with the Stompers last summer. On July 15, Piagno became one of just three women to earn the win in an American men’s professional baseball league since the 1950’s.

The ceremony will begin at 12 p.m.

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.

Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno to be Honored by San Francisco Giants in Pre-Game Ceremony Sunday

Kelsie Whitmore (center) and Stacy Piagno (right) sit in the dugout at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field during the Stompers' 2016 Championship season. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will be honored in a pre-game ceremony at the San Francisco Giants game on Sunday, July 23.

Whitmore and Piagno became the first female teammates on a co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950’s when they signed with the Stompers last summer. On July 15, Piagno became one of just three women to earn the win in an American men’s professional baseball league since the 1950’s.

Piagno and Whitmore will be honored alongside members of Stanford Women’s Volleyball, Stanford Women’s Tennis, Deaf Women’s National Soccer Team, USF Club Volleyball, USF Track & Field, Anne Span, Anne Cribbs and Jennifer Croteau.

The home plate ceremony will begin at 12 p.m. tomorrow, prior to the Giants’ matchup with the San Diego Padres.

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