Sonoma Stompers Fall From First With 13-6 Loss to Vallejo Admirals Despite Solid Bullpen

Stacy Piagno pitched a scoreless inning of work in Wednesday's 13-6 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

VALLEJO, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell from first place in the Pacific Association standings for the first time in 2017 with a 13-6 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Wednesday.

The two teams were tied at 15-10 going into the contest, in which Vallejo cast a long shadow on the Stompers with ten runs in the first frame.

Nick Akins Sr. was the primary offensive force for Vallejo, notching six runs batted in in the frame, including a grand slam. At the end of the nearly four-hour game, Akins and Chevy Clarke combined to drive in nine of the Admirals’ 13 runs.

The Admirals recorded twice as many hits as the Stompers in the matchup, out-hitting them 14-7.

Starter Ely Gallego made his first start as a Stomper on Wednesday after coming to the Pacific Association from the Pecos League this week. Gallego lasted just two innings before being replaced by another newly-minted Stomper, Zach Williams.

Williams allowed two more Admirals runs, but struck out five in two innings of work.

His effort was one of a handful of solid Stompers performances out of the bullpen. Stacy Piagno recorded another scoreless inning of work, her ninth in a row dating back to July 15, while Zach Wendorf struck out four and blanked the Admirals in two innings.

Vallejo scored all of their 13 runs in the first three innings as the Sonoma bullpen blanked the Admirals after that frame.

The Stompers will look to avoid their second sweep by the Admirals in a row Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at WIlson Park in Vallejo, Calif.

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 to Host Fan Appreciation & FOX Night, Exhibit Network's Exciting New Fall Lineup of Shows

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, are excited to host Fan Appreciation & FOX Night on the final home game of the season at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on Aug. 20.

The last chance to catch a 2017 Stompers game in Sonoma will feature a helicopter flyover presented by Helico Sonoma plus a peek at the FOX Fall lineup, part of FOX Fall Fan Fest. The Stompers will also be giving away FOX-branded souvenir cups to the first 200 fans.

The Fall FOX roster features a mix of laughs and adventure with “The Orville,” “Ghosted” and “The Gifted.” Starring Seth McFarlane, “The Orville” follows the crew of the U.S.S. Orville, an exploratory space vessel in the year 2417 while Adam Scott and Craig Robinson team up for a quirky, supernatural comedy in “Ghosted.”

Also on Sunday, don’t miss a one-minute sneak peek at X-Men inspired drama “The Gifted.” FOX and Marvel Television present this exciting drama series about an ordinary family who discovers their children have extraordinary mutant powers.

As part of the Fan Appreciation element of the night, 32-year Sonoma State head baseball coach John Goelz will throw the first pitch. In 2015, Goelz became just the 16th head coach in NCAA Division II history to win over 1,000 games. The Stompers will also hold a special pre-game ceremony to give thanks to their most dedicated fans. 

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Hayley M. Slye | hayley@stompersbaseball.com | stompersbaseball.com

Vallejo Admirals Sink Sonoma Stompers 12-3, Tie for First Place in Pacific Association

Scott David went 2 for 4 in the Sonoma Stompers’ 12-3 loss to the Vallejo Admirals Tuesday at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, relinquished their lone spot at the top of the Pacific Association standings with a 12-3 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Tuesday.

The loss makes it just the second day in the 2017 season in which Sonoma does not have sole possession of first place. 

The Stompers struck first in the contest as Daniel Baptista drove in one run before starter Dominic Topoozian even reached the mound. In the first professional start of his career, Topoozian allowed five runs and struck out four in four innings of work.

The Stompers didn’t score again until the sixth. Isaac Wenrich gave the Stompers some hope in the frame, sending a two-run blast over the fence in right to cut the Admirals’ lead to seven. Wenrich and third baseman Scott David both ended the night 2 for 4.

By the sixth, the Admirals had already amassed ten runs. On the mound, the Admirals’ Brent Adheen pitched three scoreless innings and allowed just one Sonoma hit.

Despite the wave of runs, there were a few bright spots out of the Sonoma bullpen. Right-hander and newly minted Stomper Logan Gillaspie struck out the middle of the Admirals’ order in the seventh. Picked up from the Monterey Amberjacks of the Pecos League, it was Gillaspie’s first start in a Sonoma uniform.

Following Gillaspie’s strong debut, right-hander Stacy Piagno pitched a scoreless eighth. In her last three outings, Piagno has struck out five and allowed just four hits in nine innings of work.

The Stompers will look to leave the series with a two-game lead in the Pacific Association Wednesday and Thursday at 6:35 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.

Stompers Starter Ty'Relle Harris Signs With Lincoln Saltdogs of American Association

Ty’Relle Harris takes the mound at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field against the Pittsburg Diamonds during the 2017 season. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Update: Ty'Relle Harris was re-signed by the Sonoma Stompers after pitching one game for the Lincoln Saltdogs. He re-joins the team in Vallejo on Thursday, Aug. 17.

SONOMA, Calif.– Ty’Relle Harris of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will head to Lincoln, Neb. after signing with the American Association’s Lincoln Saltdogs.

“Harris’ impact on the Sonoma Stompers speaks for itself. He deserves this opportunity and we wish him well,” said Stompers President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster.

As a Stomper, Harris owned a 3-2 record and 2.33 ERA and was lauded for his expertise, experience and willingness to coach his teammates. In addition to striking out 73 in 65.2 pitched, Harris was presented the Chris Matthews Award on Friday for his leadership in the clubhouse and dedication to the Stompers.

“T got here and there was another grown man in the clubhouse, a fierce competitor out on the mound, someone taking everyone from the guy barbecuing hot dogs right now to Kelsie Whitmore to Mike Jackson and making them better too," Fightmaster said during the ceremony.

Harris becomes the third Stomper this season to move up from the Pacific Association after Ryan Richardson and Tyler Garkow left for the Shikoku Island League in Japan and the WildThings of the Frontier League, respectively. 

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 Shatter Pittsburg Diamonds in Seventh, Win 9-4 to Secure Sweep

Center fielder Matt Hibbert was explosive on offense in Sunday's 9-4 Sonoma Stompers win over the Pittsburg Diamonds 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, defeated the Pittsburg Diamonds 9-4 on Sunday to protect their one-game lead at the top of the Pacific Association.

In the sixth, the Stompers loaded the bases on two outs. Daniel Baptista came to the plate and launched a double, scoring two and giving the Stompers a 3-1 lead.

Sonoma followed suit in the seventh. 0 for 2 on the night and in danger of ending his 14-game hit streak, Brennan Metzger shot a single up the middle to score center fielder Matt Hibbert and extend his streak to 15.

Metzger’s knock ignited the Stompers offense, which strung together six runs in the frame. The explosive effort came after an eight-run eighth in Saturday night’s game.

“I feel like we just went back to our approach, making starting pitchers throw a lot of pitches early in the game and getting to the bullpen,” Hibbert said. “We’ve been pretty good all year once the pen’s in there.”

Hibbert also delivered on offense in the contest, going 5 for 5 and crossing the plate three times. On the mound, starter Juan Espinosa pitched seven strong innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run.

“He just deals. He works fast, he keeps people off balance. He’s just smart. I feel like any time we have Espy on the mound we just have a good chance to win,” Hibbert said.

The Stompers were swept by the Vallejo Admirals to begin the week, but responded with their ninth sweep of the season against Pittsburg over the weekend. With Vallejo on a 5-1 run in their last six games, Sonoma has been unable to extend their lead to more than one game up in the Pacific Association Standings.

“It’s a brand new season, it really is,” Hibbert said. “Like (manager Takashi Miyoshi) says, we’ve got to keep up, we can’t stop grinding. We know we’re the team with the target on our backs.”

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.

Eight-Run Eighth Inning Lights Up Sonoma Stompers in 11-7 Comeback Victory Over Pittsburg Diamonds

Scott David gave the Sonoma Stompers the lead with a three-run triple in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 11-7 comeback win over the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– The lights at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field flickered and went out in the seventh inning of the Sonoma Stompers’ Saturday contest against the Pittsburg Diamonds. The game was delayed as the lights reset, but when they came back on, so did the Sonoma offense. 

The Stompers, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, strung together an eight-run rally in the next inning. After Sonoma capitalized on a handful of errors and walks to tie the game at seven, Scott David hit a towering three-run triple into the gap to give the Stompers a three-run lead.

David was also the one at the plate when the lights went off the inning before. Closer Jacob Cox pitched a quick ninth inning to secure the Stompers’ 11-7 victory.

“That was a great comeback. The whole light situation really worked out in our favor. We came back with new energy after that,” said left fielder Brennan Metzger. “That was wild.”

Prior to the eighth, the Stompers offense flickered, recording just five hits compared to the Diamonds’ 12. Three of those hits came off the bat of Metzger, who extended a hitting streak to 14 games. Metzger also collected four base hits in Friday night’s game.

“It’s just kind of clicking right now. I feel good at the plate, I’m seeing the ball well. Sometimes, you get lucky too,” Metzger said.

Catcher Isaac Wenrich also lit up the Stompers at the plate, driving in four runs on Saturday.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit, and (my teammates) just constantly put that confidence back in me to know that I can still do this,” Wenrich said. “Just having them by my side has made me grow every day. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

On the mound, starter Taylor Thurber allowed three earned runs through four and one thirds innings, striking out four and walking just one. In relief, Zach Wendorf recorded another scoreless outing and continued a run of solid appearances.

The Stompers will look for the sweep Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. First pitch is slated for 6 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.

Sonoma Stompers Create Leadership Award in Chris Matthews' Honor, Select Ty'Relle Harris as 2017 Recipient

Pitcher Ty'Relle Harris and 2016 bench coach Chris Matthews pose with manager Takashi Miyoshi after accepting their Chris Matthews Awards in a pre-game ceremony on Friday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, presented the inaugural and 2017 Chris Matthews Awards to its namesake and pitcher Ty’Relle Harris in a pre-game ceremony Friday.

The award honors those in the clubhouse who exemplify the qualities of generosity, dedication to the team and leadership that Chris Matthews showed as bench coach of the 2016 Pacific Association championship team.

“He started games, he charted games. He did laundry, he vacuumed the clubhouse. He helped organize men and served as a voice of reason and provided a stable, consistent perspective through the ups and downs of a professional baseball season,” said Stompers president and general manager Theo Fightmaster. “The Stompers have been built on the premise that we need to find good people and treat them well. Chris is quite possibly the best human being we've found so far.”

Manager Takashi Miyoshi also gave an emotional testament to Matthews’ hard work and spirit, crediting him with the clubhouse’s “winning culture.”

"I first met Yosh back in 2013 when we were both with Grand Prairie in the American Association. It completely flipped my baseball world upside down. Getting someone of that caliber to take me under his wing and guide me around was a huge blessing," Matthews said. "I'm very humbled by this."

For the impact he has made since joining the team in June, Harris was presented with the 2017 Chris Matthews Award.

“T got here and there was another grown man in the clubhouse, a fierce competitor out on the mound, someone taking everyone from the guy barbecuing hot dogs right now to Kelsie Whitmore to Mike Jackson and making them better too," Fightmaster said. "For T's spirit, his swagger, his confidence, the least of which, his performance on the baseball field, he is the 2017 Chris Matthews Award winner."

Harris thanked his teammates first for letting him be himself.

"Baseball is a sport that revolves around failure. It's easy to stress out, but it's the right group of girls and guys in the clubhouse that allows you to have success,” Harris 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 Defeat Pittsburg Diamonds 9-3 In Tyler Garkow's Last Start Before Heading to Frontier League

Starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight in Friday's 9-3 win over the Pittsburg Diamonds to give the Stompers back their spot alone at the top of the Pacific Association standings. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, broke a four-game losing streak with a brilliant, 9-3 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds. 

The shining offensive effort puts the Stompers back in rarefied air at first place, one game ahead of the Vallejo Admirals. Thursday marked the only day this season the Stompers have not been alone atop the Pacific Association standings.

Sonoma starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight through six and two-thirds innings, issuing just one walk. The performance marked his last one as a Stomper before heading to the Washington WildThings of the Frontier League.

“We’re all doing the best we can and we’re still fighting and scratching and clawing for that dream. I’m just fortunate enough to be one step closer,” Garkow said. “It doesn’t mean I’m more deserving than anybody else, I just got the opportunity. I just have to make the most of it.”

He is the second Stomper to ascend to a higher league this season as bullpen arm Ryan Richardson left to play in Japan in early August.

“Garkow is a great guy on and off the field, hard worker on and off. Every day I see him at the Gym, he’s never lazy. He definitely deserves this opportunity,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi.

Garkow kept the Diamonds off the board through three, when Pittsburg recorded its first hit of the night with a home run off the bat of Jose Garcia. The Diamonds followed it up with two base hits, but Garkow shut the inning down and kept the damage at one run. A two-RBI single in the fifth represented the other pair of runs. 

Brennan Metzger, who came into Friday on a 12-game hitting streak, extended that streak to 13 games with a 4 for 5 performance. He has recorded a hit in every game since July 19. Yuki Yasuda and Derrick fox also contributed on offense, going 4 for 4 and 3 for 5, respectively. 

“Today, everyone loosened up, relaxed and just put the ball in play,” Miyoshi said.

Relievers Zach Wendorf and Jacob Cox each pitched about an inning of scoreless work to secure the win for Sonoma, combining to strike out three and allow no hits.

The Stompers will look to put together a string of wins Saturday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 6 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.

Sonoma Stompers Host Trio of Special Events Over Weekend Homestand

Stompers fans congregate outside of Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field before a 2017 Stompers game. (Darcy Dellera / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, is proud to host First Responders Night, Make-A-Wish Night and Italian Heritage Night dring this weekend’s homestand.

FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT - AUG. 11

Leading off on Friday, the Stompers want to give back to members of the local community that put their lives on the line every day. Any first responder with an ID or uniform will receive $5 off the price of a ticket at the gate.

Post-game, fans who purchase a special event ticket will have the opportunity to test their home run skills against Stompers players Joel Carranza and Daniel Baptista.

FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT TICKETS  | HOME RUN DERBY SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS

MAKE-A-WISH NIGHT - AUG. 12

On Saturday, fans are welcome to join the Stompers as they support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. The event comes after the North Bay “Walk for Wishes” at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma that morning at 8 a.m.

All of the proceeds from the walk will go straight to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions and works to spread joy. A portion of the proceeds from the Stompers game on Aug. 12 will also go to the organization.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WALK FOR WISHES | MAKE-A-WISH NIGHT TICKETS

ITALIAN HERITAGE NIGHT - AUG. 13

On Sunday, the Stompers will host the Greve in Chianti, Italy Sister Cities Committee as well as an exciting tote bag giveaway from Mia's Kitchen. Mia’s Kitchen makes innovative, handmade specialty food products.

The Stompers will also welcome Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley for a special pre-game ceremony. 

On Sunday, the Stompers will host the Greve in Chianti, Italy Sister Cities Committee, and a giveaway to the first 100 attendees from sponsor Mia’s Kitchen.  Mia’s Kitchen has a line of gourmet pasta sauces, olive oils and vinegars in stores nationwide. 

The Stompers will also welcome Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley for a special pre-game ceremony.

ITALIAN HERITAGE NIGHT TICKETS

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.

PRESS CONTACT

Hayley M. Slye | hayley@stompersbaseball.com | (949) 547-1676 | stompersbaseball.com

Sonoma Stompers Swept for First Time in 2017 With a 2-1 Loss to the Vallejo Admirals

Ty'Relle Harris pitched seven strong innings in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals, striking out seven and allowing just two earned runs–both of which came in the first inning. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, were swept for the first time this season with a 2-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Thursday.

Until Thursday, the Stompers had been on the winning end of a sweep eight times. With the loss, the Stompers’ overall record drops to 40-20. Both teams leave the series with a 12-9 second half record, leaving the two tied at first place and marking the first time this season Sonoma has relinquished the first place spot in the standings.

The Stompers loaded the bases twice to no avail, and managed just two hits through seven off of Admirals pitching. The only Sonoma run came on a balk in the second inning.

While the Admirals staff quieted Stompers hitters, Sonoma starter Ty’Relle Harris’ only blemish came on a two-run RBI double from Shawn Payne in the first. After that, he kept the Admirals off the board and struck out seven.

DJ Sharabi took Harris’ lead, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.

A bright spot on offense through the Stompers’ four-game skid has been a hitting streak from Brennan Metzger. Metzger singled to move runners into scoring position and load the bases in the fifth, extending his streak to 12 games.

With no outs in the eighth, Eddie Mora-Loera made noise in a clutch situation, advancing to second on a botched drop third strike, but Sonoma squandered the opportunity to score.

The Stompers’ homestand continues on Friday as the team welcomes the Pittsburg Diamonds, who are also climbing in the Pacific Association standings after picking up their third win in a row on Thursday. First pitch is slated for 6 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.