By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Stompers starter Shawn McBroom pitched two scoreless innings and recorded three strikeouts in Sonoma’s 7-3 win at Arnold Field Thursday night.
Sonoma Stompers manager Zack Pace walked to the mound and motioned to the bullpen. Right-handed pitcher Sam Schnitzer jogged in with runners on second and third with two outs in the top of the eighth inning Thursday night at Arnold Field in Sonoma, California.
The Stompers clung to a 4-3 lead as fans sat anxiously in their seats.
Schnitzer walked the first batter he faced. But he responded with a four-pitch strikeout, escaping the jam. Then, in the bottom half of the inning, Sonoma pulled away late by scoring three runs to secure a 7-3 Opening Day win over the California Red Tails.
Pace said that Schnitzer’s performance was “gutsy”, one that helped solidify the Stompers’ first victory of the year.
“It was huge... he had a tough at-bat on the first one. But then, he, you know, he shut the door and got us out of the inning,” Pace said. “It was just outstanding; those are the kinds of things you live for as a pitcher.”
In last year’s opening contest, Sonoma blew a four-run lead in the final inning. This year, it was able to close the door with the same lead, which came as a relief to Pace despite inheriting mostly a “new squad”aside from a few returning players.
“That’s the tough part at the beginning of the year. I don’t know any of these guys,” Pace said. “I haven’t seen any of these guys throw really for the most part... and for these guys too, it’s the first time they’veplayed in front of a big crowd and atmosphere.”
Despite the unfamiliarity with the pitching, the arms were able to deliver for the Stompers.
The successful performance was started by right-handed pitcher Shawn McBroom, who went two innings and picked up three strikeouts over six batters. The Antioch, California native didn’t allow a base hit in his first start of the season.
Pace described McBroom as "the quiet guy who gets his work done and goes about his business."
“He doesn’t say a lot,” Pace said. “But he says a lot with his arm; he fills [the strike zone] up and does a heck of a job.”
The bullpen finished the job. Six pitchers covered the final seven innings and allowed only three earned runs. The bullpen picked up 11 strikeouts as a group.
In crucial situations, the bullpen was able to navigate through a couple of bases loaded jams without surrendering a run. In each of those situations, Stompers pitching coach Mike Nunez came out to the mound to speak to his pitcher.
“I think our pitchers have a lot of good stuff which is why they got a lot of swing and miss,” Pace said. “We call Nune the genius. Every time he goes out there, he has good chatter for the pitcher; he gets us out of the inning.”
Sonoma’s offense found its footing in the bottom of the second to back up the dominant pitching. The Stompers scored two runs on singles by both outfielder Trent Keys and infielder Tino Vasell.
It took five innings for the Stompers to score another run, but with Sonoma’s shut down pitching it didn’t matter. Designated hitter Ryland Heckman delivered with a two-run single to extend Sonoma’s lead to 4-0 in the seventh inning.
For Heckman, it was his first time playing since high school — a full year — as he redshirted his freshman season at Umpqua Community College. Yet, it didn’t matter. Ultimately, the Gig Harbor, Washington native went 1 for 2 with two RBIs and one strikeout from the plate in Thursday’s contest.
“He came through in a clutch situation,” Pace said. “I was definitely impressed... he was impressive at the plate tonight.”
The victory on Opening Day was a step in the right direction for the Stompers. But they will have to continue to build on that success as league play starts Tuesday against the San Luis Obispo Blues after two more non-league contests.
The Stompers will look to extend their win streak and remain undefeated on the season as they return to Arnold Field Friday night to host the Red Tails again. First pitch will be at 6:05 p.m. and the game will be streamed on YouTube.