Stompers fall short Sunday in rubber match, suffer second straight loss against Legends

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Infielder Tino Vasell (University of San Francisco) follows through on a swing Thursday at Arnold Field in Sonoma. The Stompers were defeated Saturday by the Menlo Park Legends 6-3 at Baylands Park in Palo Alto, Calif. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

The Sonoma Stompers (5-5 in the California Collegiate League) dropped their second straight game, as they were defeated 6-3 Sunday by the Menlo Park Legends (2-7 CCL) at Baylands Park in Palo Alto, Calif.  

In the first inning, Sonoma had the bases loaded with one out. But outfielder Trent Keys (San Joaquin Delta College) and infielder Mateo Heredia (Cal State Northridge) struck out on full counts to strand the bases loaded. 

The Legends scored two runs with two-out in the bottom of the first and never surrendered the lead.  

Infielder Ryan Duron (Westcliff University) started the rally with a single. The next batter, infielder Carlos Cruz Mar delivered with an RBI triple and scored on a throwing error by Sonoma infielder Bryson Ayala (Tulane University). 

Sonoma starting pitcher left-hander Logan Figlar allowed one earned run on three hits over one inning and took the loss. 

In the fourth, the Stompers suffered back-to-back strikeouts with runners on first and second base. Menlo Park added two runs in the fourth, scoring once on a single and once on a balk. 

Duron hit his second single of the game, scoring two runners more runners, in the fifth to make it 6-0.  

Sonoma’s bats were held scoreless until the eighth inning. 

With runners on second and third and nobody out in the eighth, infielder Misael Uriepero (Youngstown State) pinch hit for Heredia. Uriepero hit a sacrifice fly to put the Stompers on the board. Then Keys scored on a wild pitch to cut into the deficit 6-2. 

Menlo Park starting pitcher right-hander Kai Maynick (Cabrillo College) pitched seven innings and was pulled after allowing the first two runners on base in the eighth.  

The Reno, Nev., native allowed 10 hits yet only two earned runs over 113 pitches, lowering his ERA to 2.57 in eight innings this season.  

In the ninth, Sonoma threatened with a rally but scored only one run on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Hunter Carlson (Georgia State). 

The Stompers outhit the Legends 12-8. However, Sonoma went 3 for 12 at the plate with runners on base. 

The Stompers will look to bounce back Tuesday against the first-place Blues in San Luis Obispo, Calif., beginning a two-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sinsheimer Stadium. 

Stompers squander scoring opportunities, leave 8 runners on base in 5-3 defeat against Legends

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Stompers outfielder Trent Keys and Menlo Park catcher Ethan Jackson collide at the plate after a close play that tied the game 2-2 in the sixth inning. Keys was replaced by outfielder Connor Johnston in the seventh. The Stompers fell short 5-3 Saturday at Arnold Field. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif. — The Menlo Park Legends (1-7 California Collegiate League) scored three runs in the ninth inning Saturday to earn their first win in league play and defeat the Sonoma Stompers (5-4 CCL) 5-3 at Arnold Field. 

Sonoma left eight runners on base, went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and didn’t record a single leadoff hit. The Stompers were also out hit 11-5. 

Sonoma’s first hit of the contest came on a double by outfielder Trent Keys (San Joaquin Delta College) in the sixth inning. Prior to Keys’ base knock, only two Stomper batters reached base safely. 

Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame that his team just “needs to do a better job moving forward.” 

“Bottom line is, you know, when there’s runners in scoring position, we gotta find a way to bring them in,” Pace said. “It’s tough to win when you only have five hits.” 

The problems started early. Two RBI singles — one in the first and the other in the third inning — by Menlo Park infielder Ryan Duron gave the Legends a 2-0 lead.  

The score remained the same until the bottom of the sixth inning.  

After a walk by outfielder Chase Taylor (University of Connecticut) and Keys’ double, the Stompers had runners on second and third base with one out. Then infielder Hunter Carlson (Georgia State) drew a hit-by-pitch, the second of three hit-by-pitches Carlson took.  

With the bases loaded, catcher Angel Garcia (Coppin State) delivered with a two-run RBI single into center-field to tie the game at 2-2. Taylor scored easily but Keys collided with Menlo Park catcher Ethan Jackson. Despite the collision, Keys was safe at the plate. 

Keys walked gingerly off the field and back into the Stompers dugout. The Oakley, Calif. native was replaced in the seventh inning by outfielder Connor Johnston (Bellarmine University). 

Pace said that Keys was a “little dizzy from the collision at the plate” and that it was an “injury decision” to pull him. However, the skipper also said that Keys “should be good to go” moving forward. 

One batter later, Sonoma took a 3-2 lead on a fielding error at second base by Menlo Park infielder Carlos Cruz Mar.  

The Stompers bullpen continued to shut down the Menlo Park bats throughout the middle innings.  

Right-handed pitchers both from San Joaquin Delta College, Mason Cortez and Jaydn Ramos combined to pitch three scoreless frames. Right-handed pitcher Ethan Rowland allowed one earned run in three innings of work as well. 

Pace said that he thought Cortez and Ramos looked “great” despite Ramos only being a “one or two inning guy.” 

In the of the ninth, Pace brought in right-handed pitcher Keller Ausbun (Colorado State - Pueblo). 

Ausbun, who picked up his first save June 6 in a 14-12 victory over the San Francisco Seagulls, struggled mightily in his fourth appearance. He surrendered the game-tying home run, a go-ahead triple and an RBI single which gave the Legends a 5-3 advantage. 

Although Ausbun allowed three earned runs and four hits, Pace said he “still has a lot of faith” in him moving forward. 

“He fills it up. He’s going to get a lot of outs,” Pace said. “He didn’t walk anyone, you know what I mean? He did what you’re supposed to do in the ninth inning and attack. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.” 

In the bottom of the ninth, infielder Bryson Ayala hit a one-out triple but Taylor and Johnston struck out consecutively to end the contest. 

The Stompers look to take the series in a rubber-match affair against the Legends on Sunday at Baylands Park in Palo Alto, Calif. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

“The mindset is to win the series against these guys and the week,” Pace said. “We have the chance to do a couple of things good. Hopefully we can go get some early runs and get off to a clean start.” 

Stompers capitalize on eighth-inning mistakes to defeat Legends 8-4

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Stompers right-handed pitcher Mateo Heredia (Cal State Northridge) releases the ball toward home plate in one motion. Heredia picked up the win, his first of the year, and pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in an 8-4 victory Friday night. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif. — A four-run eighth aided by three errors and three bases-loaded walks was the decisive inning as the Sonoma Stompers (5-3 California Collegiate League) defeated the Menlo Park Legends on Friday at Arnold Field.  

Sonoma snagged its second consecutive victory while the Legends remained winless (0-7 CCL) in league play. 

Despite the win, Sonoma went 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and 2 for 16 with runners on base after the first base runner reached safely in six out of the eight innings.

Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame that he felt like his group “let them [Menlo Park] hang around a lot” and wanted to “see the runs be scored earlier” in the contest. 

“They got a little bit of belief that they could win the ballgame because we gave free passes away and let them get back into it,” Pace said. “I would like to see the four-spot happen sooner so we can put them away in that sense.” 

Both teams were blanked through the first two innings. The Stompers grounded into double plays in the first and second inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Stompers opened the scoring. Outfielder Chase Taylor (University of Connecticut) doubled, advanced to third base on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch to make 1-0.  

Making his first start since high school and second appearance of the season, Stompers right-handed pitcher Matthew Schallberger (San Joaquin Delta College) cruised through three scoreless innings and struck out three.  

Pace said that the Stockton, Calif. native has a “great arm” but that he needs to “work on the changeup” moving forward. Still, the Sonoma skipper was pleased with Schallberger’s outing. 

 “I think we’ll build on that [start],” Pace said. “Hopefully we’ll get some more starts out of him. We’re still trying to figure out what kind of guys can start games; I feel good about him.” 

Sonoma turned to left-handed pitcher Brady Carvalho (Modesto College) out of the bullpen, yet he struggled in his second appearance.  

The 6-foot-2 southpaw surrendered an earned run in the fourth that tied the affair 1-1. Carvalho exited the contest after he allowed three hits across six batters. 

The Stompers responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Infielder Angel Garcia (Coppin State) hit his first home run of CCL play and collected his fourth RBI of the season.  

The back-and-forth affair between both sides continued. Menlo Park tied it up 2-2 during the fifth inning after infielder Ryan Duron (Westcliff University) reached on a fielder's-choice to third base. 

Sonoma answered back with a sacrifice fly by Garcia in the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead — his second RBI of the night and fifth overall. Then, in the sixth, outfielder Nic Sebastiani (Santa Rosa Junior College) hit a solo home run, his first long ball of the year, to make it 4-2. 

After recording a scoreless sixth inning, Sonoma right-handed pitcher Sam Schnitzer (University of San Francisco) came back out for the seventh.  

However, he allowed two earned runs, which tied the game 4-4, and departed the contest with the bases loaded and only one out.

Right-handed pitcher Mateo Heredia (Cal State Northridge) entered the contest and recorded two outs without giving up a run to escape the bases-loaded jam.

Heredia said his mindset was to “get out of the inning with no runs added.” 

“I just didn’t want to give him [Schnitzer] more earned runs. That always is kind of a bad feeling,” Heredia said. “I’ve been put in those situations all spring and I know what it feels like to go out there and shut a rally down.” 

The 6-foot-2 utility man struck out the side in the top of the eighth inning to keep the contest tied at 4-4. After his final strikeout of the frame, Heredia pumped his first and yelled to his dugout as he crossed the baseline next to first base. He said he was “just trying to get his teammates and himself fired up.” 

In the bottom of the inning, Sonoma scored four runs to take an 8-4 lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Stompers were aided by three errors by the Legends and three bases-loaded walks to cap it off. 

“There’s always room for improvement,” Pace said. “They aren’t going to make three errors next game. Thankfully, we got the W today and hopefully we can build on that and improve tomorrow.” 

Heredia retired eight of the nine batters he faced and struck out six. The only base runner to reach was a single in the top of the ninth. He also picked up his first pitching win of the season. 

“I love coming into high-leverage situations,” Heredia said. “It makes it fun. It’s something you gotta grind for... I try to work for weak contact.” 

The Stompers return home against the Legends in the second contest of the three-game series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. on YouTube. 

“It’s always nice to be on a little win streak,” Heredia said. “This is good for us.” 

Stompers salvage series against Merchants with 11-8 victory

By Ryan Metcalfe, Sports Writer

Outfielder Trent Keys runs onto the field pregame, high-fiving his teammates as the sun gleams on his cap Thursday. The Stompers rallied to beat the Alameda Merchants 11-8 at Arnold Field. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

The Sonoma Stompers most reliable starting pitcher of the last year, Shawn McBroom, suffered from bad location and gave up six runs in the first two innings Thursday, but his bullpen followed him with five scoreless innings en route to an 11-8 comeback victory over the Alameda Merchants.

 “Seeing that happen just fires me up,” said Alec Murray, who pitched 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief to pick up the victory. “Our pen really picked up our starter when McBroom didn’t have his best stuff. Our hitters really stepped up big time. To erase a six-spot in the first two innings was huge.”

Ken Blankenship followed McBroom with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and helped to turn the momentum of the game.

 “I feel like their bullpen put an end to our aggressive run,” Merchants manager Albert Luna said. “They came in and threw strikes and did a great job.”

 Gage McCown and Devon Laguinto each allowed one run in one inning of work to close out the victory. Those runs didn’t matter thanks to two runs in the sixth and three in the eighth.

 “Our guys put together quality at bat after quality at bat,” said catcher Hunter Carlson, who led off the sixth with a double off the wall in right and scored the go-ahead run on a single by Trent Keys. “When you are down that much no one can do it by themselves. You’ve got to pass the bat to the next guy to keep the rally going. I think our team grinds it out. No matter the score, we play to the end.”

 Ryland Hickman posted the big hit in the eighth, hitting a two-strike pitch back up the box to drive in two. Keys, who scored the Stompers’ (4-3 CCL) final run, set up Heckman with a perfect bunt down the third-base line. Heckman also hit an RBI single in the third that cut the Merchants’ (2-3 CCL ) lead to 6-4 in the third. Connor Johnston and Chase Taylor led off the fourth with singles and scored on a single by Tino Vasell and an error.

 “We try to have a good approach and have guys take a little off their swing to get them going,” Stompers manager Zack Pace said. “We did a good job of that today.”

 The Stompers start a three-game series against the Menlo Park Legends 7 p.m. Friday in Sonoma. Their game Saturday is at home as well before concluding the series Sunday in Menlo Park.

Stompers rally falls short Sunday in one-run defeat against the Merchants

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Right-handed pitcher Alec Murray throws a pitch Sunday at Arnold Field in Sonoma, Calif. The relief-pitcher threw four scoreless innings and collected three strikeouts despite the Stompers falling 8-7 to the Alameda Merchants. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers erased much of an early five-run deficit but couldn't complete the comeback Sunday, falling 8-7 to the Alameda Merchants at Arnold Field. Sonoma trailed 7-2 after two innings before rallying within one run but 14 strikeouts and missed opportunities with runners on base proved costly. 

The Stompers fell to 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in California Collegiate League play. 

The Merchants opened the scoring by driving in four runs in the top of the first inning.  

After a leadoff double by Alameda infielder Nico Rodriguez, catcher Angel Garcia tried to back-pick him at second base, but an errant throw allowed Rodriguez to advance to third base. After a leadoff double by Alameda infielder Nico Rodriguez, catcher Angel Garcia tried to back-pick him at second base, but an errant throw allowed Rodriguez to advance to third base.  

Three RBI singles and a wild pitch accounted for the four-run inning 

The Stompers cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning. Sonoma drew three walks and a hit-by-pitch to make it 4-2.  

But the Merchants responded again. Outfielder Trey Johnson hit a three-run home run to right-field to make it 7-2.  

Before the home run, Stompers manager Zack Pace had right-handed pitcher Evan Sandoval warming up in the bullpen. Yet, he opted to let starting pitcher right-hander Vince van Holy to stay in and face Johnson. 

“We were really trying to stretch him out... I was hoping to get 2-3 [innings] out of him,” Pace said postgame. “I knew we had a lot of game left.” 

Van Holy was pulled from the contest after pitching 1.1 innings and allowing six hits and seven earned runs over 12 batters. He threw 43 pitches and 21 strikes. In his first CCL start, the Hooglanderveen, Netherlands native saw his ERA rise to 47.25 through 3.1 innings pitched. 

Sonoma matched Alameda by scoring three runs in the bottom of the second.  

With the bases loaded and one out, designated hitter Hunter Carlson hit a single into right-field to score one run. Then, an error committed by Merchants infielder Ethan Reader made it 7-4. Infielder Tino Vasell scampered home on a wild pitch with two outs to cut the deficit down to 7-5. 

Despite scoring three runs in the bottom of the second, Sonoma left the bases loaded as outfielder Connor Johnston struck out swinging on a 2-2 count.  

The Stompers went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position through the first three innings and left five runners on base. 

Alameda starting pitcher Jaden Bitter struggled with his command allowing five walks across 11 batters. Bitter threw 45 pitches yet only 13 strikes. The 6-foot-2 right-hander exited the contest after 1.1 innings pitched and five runs surrendered with three being earned. 

Each team scored one run in the third inning, but both bullpens settled in after that. 

Sandoval and right-handed pitcher Alec Murray stabilized the bullpen for Sonoma during the middle innings.  

Sandoval pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one earned run while Murray cruised through four scoreless innings and collected three strikeouts.  

Pace said that he could think about Murray being a starting pitcher “down the road,” but nothing is set in stone yet.  

“I like him relieving. He’s a big presence out there, he fills it up,” Pace said. “That’s something you need out of the bullpen.” 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Vasell cut the Merchants' lead down to 8-7 with his first home run of the year, a 344-foot solo blast over the right-field fence.  

The Stompers drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth. After a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Ryland Heckman, outfielder Nic Sebastiani advanced to third base on a wild pitch.  

But Merchants relief-pitcher right-hander Diego De Santiago sealed the victory and picked up the save for Alameda after striking out back-to-back batters. 

Pace said that “sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some.” 

“To improve on it [missed opportunities], we’ll just have to keep working at it every day,” Pace said. “It’s not going to translate overnight. But that’s how the game is sometimes. We just didn’t get it done there.” 

Ultimately, Alameda out-hit Sonoma 11-6 in the contest. The Stompers bats produced only three hits after the third inning and struck out 14 times in the contest. 

Pace said that he “felt good about the approach as a team” but didn’t like the number of strikeouts his team suffered. 

“We just got to cut down on the strikeouts, put the ball in play and play with two strikes” Pace said. “We need to take a little bit off our swing and shorten up, especially in those situations with two strikes or where we need to get the runner over.” 

The Stompers have two days off before heading to Chabot College in Hayward, Calif. on Wednesday to face the Merchants in the second of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. 

Stompers complete comeback over Seagulls with 7-run ninth inning

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Infielder Hunter Carlson trots around the bases after hitting his second home run of the contest against the San Francisco Seagulls on Saturday. Carlson went 3 for 4 with five RBIs in Sonoma’s 14-12 win in San Bruno, Calif. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers

Trailing 12-7 entering the ninth inning, the Sonoma Stompers scored seven runs in the top half of the frame to stun the San Francisco Seagulls 14-12 Saturday night at Tom Lara Field in San Bruno, Calif. 

With the victory, Sonoma improved to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in California Collegiate League play. 

San Francisco opened the scoring in the first inning after Sonoma committed an error that allowed infielder Emilio Feliciano to reach base. Feliciano later scored on infielder Christian LaMothe's RBI groundout to give the Seagulls a 1-0 lead. 

Sonoma starting pitcher right-hander Justin Jones pitched three innings yet surrendered seven hits and five earned runs in his opening start of CCL play. 

Both teams went scoreless in the second inning.  

Sonoma grabbed its first lead in the third inning with four runs, highlighted by infielder Hunter Carlson's two-run homer to right field.  

Catcher Gage McCown started the rally with an RBI double for his first CCL hit, while infielder Tino Vasell added a groundout RBI before Carlson's blast pushed the Stompers ahead 4-1. 

An inning later, Sonoma took a 7-1 lead after Carlson hit a three-run blast over the right-field wall for his second home run of the game. The Hudson, Wisconsin native went 3 for 4 with five RBIs, three runs scored and two walks Saturday. 

The lead disappeared quickly, as San Francisco scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 7-7. The Seagulls hit three RBI singles, drew an RBI walk and a hit-by-pitch. 

Sonoma right-handed pitcher Mason Cortez lasted one inning in relief, allowing two hits and four earned runs along with four walks while throwing 40 pitches and 20 strikes.  

The Seagulls took the lead in the fifth inning, highlighted by outfielder Caid Heflin's two-run single to go in front 12-7. 

Right-hander Ethan Rowland allowed two earned runs while recording two outs in relief for the Stompers. He allowed three walks and threw 31 pitches but only 12 that were strikes. 

In the eighth inning, the Stompers loaded the bases with two outs, but infielder Bryson Ayala struck out looking on a 2-2 count. In the last two games, the 6-foot-5 shortstop has gone 0 for 4 with two strikeouts with the bases loaded. 

Despite going 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position through the first eight innings, Sonoma continued to fight at the plate. The Stompers erupted for seven runs in the ninth inning to take a 14-12 lead.

The rally started with an error by San Francisco infielder Bryce Brooks that allowed infielder Misael Uriepero to score from second base. The Stompers then hit back-to-back RBI singles before Vasell hit a triple down the left field line to tie the game.  

With the bases loaded, Sonoma regained the lead when Uriepero drew a five-pitch walk to force in the go-ahead run. Outfielder Nic Sebastiani added another insurance run on a sacrifice fly to center-field to make it 14-12. 

Despite allowing seven runs over six innings of relief, Sonoma's bullpen held San Francisco scoreless over the final four innings. 

Right-handed pitcher Keller Ausbun picked up his first save after a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Ausbun loaded the bases with nobody out but struck out three consecutive hitters swinging to end the contest. 

Sonoma will look to extend its win streak Sunday as it returns home to face the Alameda Merchants. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Arnold Field. 

Stompers outlast Crawdads 6-4 in back-and-forth affair

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Right-handed pitcher Matthew Schallberger fires the pitch to home plate despite the Walnut Creek Crawdads runner racing to steal second base. Schallberger pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and collected four strikeouts for the Stompers in a 6-4 win Friday at Arnold Field in Sonoma, Calif. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kaiden / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers returned to California Collegiate League play Friday night against the Walnut Creek Crawdads to wrap up a five-game homestand. Sonoma defeated Walnut Creek 6-4 at Arnold Field to secure its sixth victory of the season, improving to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in California Collegiate League play. 

Sonoma plated the first run of the contest in the second inning. Infielder Misael Uriepero singled to collect the Stompers first hit before he stole second base. Two batters later, he scored on a single by outfielder Chase Taylor. 

Sonoma starting right-hander Andre Munoz tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking three. He departed after throwing 54 pitches and facing 13 batters. 

Stompers manager Zack Pace said that Munoz looked “really good” in his first start of league play and second appearance of the season. 

After Munoz was pulled for left-handed pitcher Brady Carvalho, the Crawdads broke through to tie game at 1-1. Outfielder Dylan Perez doubled and stole third base to open the top of the fourth inning. Then, catcher Riley Winchell drove Perez in with a soft RBI groundout to second base. 

The back-and-forth continued as each team answered the other's scoring threats. 

Walnut Creek scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. Carvalho struggled in his first outing of CCL play, allowing two hits, two walks and four earned runs.  

The Stompers answered with a run on a wild pitch in the bottom half of the inning but stranded the bases loaded with two outs. Infielder Bryson Ayala struck out swinging and outfielder Nic Sebastiani flew out to centerfield.  

Sonoma took its second lead of the game during a three-run sixth inning, one the Stompers maintained for the rest of the affair.  

After a single by outfielder Trent Keys to left-field on a 3-1 count, infielder Tino Vasell worked an eight-pitch walk to set up catcher Hunter Carlson. Carlson delivered, hitting a two-run single into right field. Two batters later, Ayala grounded out but drove in Vasell from third base. 

Pace said Keys’ “approach has gotten very good” compared to last year. He also talked about Vasell’s walk “setting up” the rest of the inning which was something that he talked about in his postgame speech to the team. 

“Kind of feeding off each other, that’s the goal,” Pace said. “I’ve preached to players before about leaving a good blueprint for the guy that’s hitting behind you. Building on that through the order.” 

The other player to exemplify the approach Pace mentioned was Carlson. The Hudson, Wisconsin native has gone 5 for 9 with three RBIs, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in his first three CCL games. 

“I think just getting comfortable with the team and the guys and knowing everyone can pick me up is big,” Carlson said. “My approach is staying toward the middle of the field and not being too big and being selective... I just want to stay loose and find the barrel.” 

In those three games, Carlson has started twice at first base, for the first time in his career, and once at catcher. While he’s still “figuring out how to play first base,” his versatility in the field has proven to be critical. 

“It’s good to have that versatility,” Pace said. “We got our four-man catching rotation going on right now and we’ll stick with that until we want to change it later down the road. It’s really nice having that flexibility.” 

Sonoma's bullpen recorded the final 14 outs without allowing a run. Right-handed pitchers Matthew Schallberger and Mateo Heredia pitched a combined scoreless 3.2 innings and struck out five. 

Right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto picked up his first save of the year in CCL play after throwing only seven pitches across three batters in the ninth inning. 

Sonoma will go on the road for the first time this season to San Bruno Park, Calif. to face the San Francisco Seagulls on Saturday with first pitch being at 6:05 p.m. before returning home Sunday.  

Sebastiani’s three-run home run powers Stompers past Leghorns in Sonoma County Classic

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Outfielder Ben Sebastiani starts to raise his front foot as the pitch comes toward him. Sebastiani hit the go-ahead three run home run in the fifth inning to give Sonoma a lead it would not relinquish during a 6-3 victory Thursday against the Petaluma Leghorns in the Sonoma County Classic. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kaiden / Sonoma Stompers

Outfielder Ben Sebastiani's fifth-inning three-run home run broke open a tight game and helped the Sonoma Stompers defeat the Petaluma Leghorns 6-3 Thursday night in the Sonoma County Classic at Arnold Field in Sonoma. 

The Sonoma Stompers improved to 5-1 with a 1-1 record in California Collegiate League play.  

Petaluma scored the first run of the game after a one-out walk by outfielder Carter Capobianco. Capobianco advanced to second base on a passed ball, stole third and then scored due to another passed ball. 

Sonoma had the chance to answer in the bottom of the first and second innings but left the bases loaded.  

In the opening frame, the Stompers had the bags packed with nobody out before they grounded into a fielder's choice. The next two hitters struck out. The next inning, infielder Misael Uriepero rolled into another fielder’s choice to leave three baserunners stranded. 

Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame that he wanted to “see his guys hit” and “come through” with the bases loaded in both innings. 

“I wasn’t really worried; I wanted to see our guys hit.... I want us to do a little better in those situations moving forward,” Pace said. “But, yeah, I was relieved we started hitting.” 

In the third inning, the Leghorns doubled their lead on an RBI double by infielder Aidan Jones to score Capobianco from first base. 

Sonoma went scoreless through the first three innings. The Stompers didn’t record a hit until the bottom of the fourth inning.  

With two outs and runners on second and third in the bottom of the fourth, infielder Tino Vasell tied the contest with a 324-foot triple over Capobianco’s head in center field. It was the first triple of the season for the Pleasant Hill, Calif. native. 

Sonoma took the lead an inning later, one that it would not relinquish. With two runners on and two outs, Sebastiani hit a three-home run over the left-field wall to push the Stompers in front 5-2. 

Stompers right-handed pitcher Ken Blankenship stabilized the lead in long relief. Blankenship retired 12 of the 15 batters he faced and did not allow a run across four innings of relief. 

Blankenship said that he heard the bullpen was “probably going to be down a couple guys” pregame, which meant he had to fill the role of pitching in the middle innings. 

“I came in and said, 'Alright, let’s go,'" Blankenship said. “I know we got a good team right here; I know we got a good defense, a good offense. All I get to do is pipe down some down the middle and let them work behind me.” 

While Pace said that he “was unsure” what Blankenship’s role would be moving forward, he’s confident he will continue to thrive. 

"He’s a good arm. I really look forward to seeing him going forward,” Pace said. “He ate up four innings and had a really good outing. He was mixing speeds, mixing locations well.” 

Sonoma added its sixth run in the eighth inning on an error by Petaluma infielder August Block. The Leghorns responded with one last run in the top of the ninth, but catcher/right-handed pitcher Gage McCownpicked up his second save of the year. 

The Stompers return to California Collegiate League action Friday when they host the Walnut Creek Crawdads in a rematch of last year's CCL championship series. 

Stompers' four-game winning streak ends in 10-0 loss to Blues

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Infielder Hunter Carlson looks at his bat as he gets ready for the pitch to be delivered from the mound. Carlson went 1 for 3 in the contest Wednesday at Arnold Field in Sonoma and 4 for 8 in the two-game series. Photo courtesy of Karsen Kaiden | Sonoma Stompers

Every winning streak eventually ends. For the Sonoma Stompers, that moment came Wednesday, when the San Luis Obispo Blues handed them a 10-0 defeat at Arnold Field in Sonoma, Calif. and snapped their four-game run to kick off the season. 

Despite the loss, Sonoma split the two-game series after winning Tuesday’s opener. 

After a clean first inning, Stompers starting pitcher right-hander Jake Andreas surrendered three earned runs in the second inning. The first two came on a two-run home run by infielder Kutter Gage Webb. 

Andreas exited with the bases loaded and nobody out in the second inning. Right-handed pitcher Wes Harwell entered in relief and allowed one inherited runner to score, extending San Luis Obispo's lead to 3-0. 

Harwell settled in after entering the game. He struck out five batters in 2.2 innings but committed a costly throwing error that gave the Blues a 4-0 lead. An error by infielder Mateo Heredia on a hard-hit ground ball allowed the fifth run to score for San Luis Obispo. 

Sonoma struggled to generate offense throughout the game. The Stompers had a chance to break through during the third with runners on second and third but infielder Hunter Carlson struck out to end the frame. 

Carlson ended up going 1 for 3 at the plate Wednesday. In the two-game series, the 6-foot-2 left-handed batter went 4 for 8 with two RBIs.  

San Luis Obispo starting pitcher left-hander Justin Cuella pitched three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit but struck out four on 48 pitches.  

The Blues blew the game open in the sixth inning with four runs on two RBI doubles and an RBI single. An inning later, San Luis Obispo scored their 10th run of the night on an error by infielder Caze Derammelaere at shortstop. 

Sonoma right-handed pitcher Scotty Kato struggled in his second appearance and first league outing this season. The Aliso Viejo, Calif. native gave up five hits and four earned runs in one inning.  

Outfielder Nic Sebastiani, the sixth and final Stompers pitcher of the night, tossed a scoreless inning in his Sonoma debut. He induced a 6-4-3 double play to end his outing. 

Ultimately, Sonoma went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. The Stompers tallied four hits but committed three errors in the field. All three miscues allowed a run to score. 

The Stompers will host the Petaluma Leghorns on Thursday in the Sonoma County Classic. 

‘It was contagious’: 6-run seventh inning lifts Stompers past Blues 7-2 in CCL opener

By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer

Infielder Bryson Ayala and right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto celebrate after Ayala’s two-run home run Tuesday. Ayala went 1 for 4 with two RBIs while Laguinto pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in the contest.

Bryson Ayala stepped to the plate and delivered the knockout blow. 

The 6-foot-5 infielder crushed the second pitch he saw over the left-field wall and just inside the foul pole, sending it into San Luis Obispo's bullpen. 

Ayala admired the two-run shot as he headed down the first-base line before tossing his bat toward the Sonoma dugout. When he crossed home plate, the celebration sparked a heated exchange with Blues catcher Miles Mador. 

Ayala’s homer capped a six-run seventh inning that propelled the Stompers to a 7-2 victory over the Blues Tuesday at Arnold Field in Sonoma, Calif. The win opened California Collegiate League play for Sonoma and improved the Stompers to 4-0 on the season. 

Stompers manager Zack Pace said the offensive outburst snowballed once the Stompers got runners on base in the seventh inning. 

“It was contagious,” Pace said. “This game’s contagious, whether it’s good or bad, whichever way it goes; I’m just glad we got contagious on the good side.” 

Sonoma starting pitcher right-hander Shawn McBroom went five innings and allowed one earned run while striking out two. He kept the Blues’ bats quiet while Sonoma’s offense only tallied one hit until that point. 

Pace said that McBroome’s command wasn’t “good” during the first inning but that it got “better and better” as the contest progressed, which led to quick outs.  

“I really didn’t want him to go that long,” Pace said. “But he had 38 pitches through four innings and it’s tough to take him out at that moment. We let him run out there for the fifth. It was a great job out of him, setting the tempo for our pitching staff today.” 

Sonoma was able to score its first run of the game in the opening frame, aided by an error from Blues shortstop Diego Murillo that put outfielder Trent Keys on base. Three batters later, infielder Hunter Carlson brought Keys in with an RBI single into right-field.  

While McBroom shut down the Blues, right-handed pitcher Quincy Winkler kept Sonoma’s bats in check for San Luis Obispo. 

Winkler pitched five innings Tuesday, only allowing one hit and collecting six strikeouts. The 6-foot-8, Templeton, Calif. Native recorded 13 straight outs from the second inning until the fifth inning where he allowed a walk. 

San Luis Obispo tied the game in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by infielder Isiah Munoz into right-field. After that, both teams went scoreless until the seventh inning. 

In the top of the seventh inning, the Blues had runners on first and second with two outs. Pace opted to go to the bullpen and bring in right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto to replace right-handed pitcher Vince van Holy who had pitched 1.2 innings.  

Laguinto got out of the jam with a strikeout, pumping his fist and taking off his hat in celebration as he exited the mound. 

Laguinto said that his job was to “throw strikes and be aggressive.” The Rohnert Park, Calif. Native excelled at that, going 1.2 innings and holding the Blues scoreless. But during the bottom of seventh inning, he had to sit on the bench for 32 minutes as his team rallied for six runs all with two outs.  

Yet, it didn’t bother him. He went back out for the eighth inning and retired the Blues in order. 

“Honestly, I was just trying to stay locked in,” Laguinto said. “I didn’t really go back to the bullpen or throw anymore... I kind of just stayed in the dugout and bonded with my team.” 

Despite allowing a run in the ninth inning, the Stompers cruised to the 7-2 victory Tuesday. 

Sonoma will look to sweep the two-game series Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.