By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Infielder Tino Vasell (University of San Francisco) runs out to third base ahead of first pitch for the Sonoma Stompers on May 30, 2026. Vasell went 2 for 4 with four RBIs and a grand slam in the Stompers 8-5 win against the San Francisco Seagulls Thursday. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kaiden / Sonoma Stomeprs
Some players seem to thrive against certain opponents. For Sonoma Stompers infielder Tino Vasell, that opponent has been the San Francisco Seagulls.
During the last meeting June 6 between the Stompers and Seagulls, Sonoma won 14-12 on the road. Vasell hit the go-ahead triple in the ninth inning to complete a five-run comeback.
On Thursday, the infielder's grand slam put the Stompers ahead in the first inning. Ultimately, Vasell’s 2 for 4, four RBI night and go-ahead scoring run carried the Stompers to an 8-5 win Thursday, snapping their four-game losing streak at Arnold Field in Sonoma.
The Stompers improved to 6-7 in the California Collegiate while San Francisco fell to 2-10 in league play. After winning its first two games of the year, San Francisco will stay in last place in the CCL North Division as its losing streak extended to 10.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame the victory was “never easy and a grind” but also said “it was definitely good to get back on the winning track.”
“We had a couple of tough games against Slo [Blues],” Pace said. “We dropped four games in a row before tonight.”
Vasell's only multi-hit games this season have come against the Seagulls. The University of San Francisco product is hitting .500 in 10 plate appearances with six RBIs and two walks against San Francisco this year. In the other nine games played this year not against the Seagulls, Vasell has collected only 7 hits and 1 RBI.
Pace said Vasell’s production against San Francisco is “not necessarily” a trend with the “lack of sample size” but called his two performances against it formidable, nonetheless.
“After the grand slam, he had seven RBIs [in the last two meetings],” Pace said. “It’s really impressive. Both the home run and triple were backside, to the opposite field.”
In the first inning, the Stompers recorded five runs on four hits.
The next batter after Vasell’s grand slam, Wesley Bass (Georgia State) hit an infield single to third base. Bass continued to flash his speed, as he stole second and third base with outfielder Connor Johnston (Bellarmine University) batting. Johnston then drove in Bass with a single to extend Sonoma’s lead to 5-0.
After the opening inning, San Francisco clawed back into the game behind shutdown pitching and timely offense. The Seagulls pitching staff recorded 12 consecutive outs between the second and fifth innings.
San Francisco scored its first run on an RBI groundout to shortstop. The Stompers infield played back to concede the run.
Sonoma starting pitcher right-hander Matthew Schallberger (San Joaquin Delta College) worked three innings. Schallberger surrendered two hits and one earned run but struck out two on 48 pitches before exiting.
Left-handed pitcher Brady Carvalho (Modesto College) took Schallberger’s place yet allowed two earned runs in the top of the fifth.
A double drove in the first runner of the frame. The second run scored on a slow base hit up the middle where a miscommunication between both Stompers middle infielders, Misael Uriepero (Youngstown State) and Bryson Ayala (Tulane University), allowed the ball to roll into center field harmlessly.
Pace called the play a “communication issue,” one where both players “yelled, ‘I got it.’ Aside from the base hit, the Stompers escaped the jam without any further damage.
Uriepero recorded a walk with one out in the bottom of the inning to snap the streak of Stompers base runners not reaching. The Stompers stranded him at third after Vasell grounded out to end the frame.
Neither team scored until the eighth inning, where the Seagulls drove in two runs to tie the contest.
A passed ball from right-handed pitcher Sam Schnitzer (University of San Francisco) cut the Stompers lead down to 5-4. Then a single by Seagulls outfielder Derek Waldvogel (Skyline College) tied the game on a hit-and-run with the runner right in front of Vasell blocked the Stompers infielder's view of the ball.
Pace said the miscommunication in the middle of the infield, the passed ball and the game-tying single were “all awkward plays.”
“Schnitzer is sort of all over the place. He’s tough to catch. I wouldn’t put that [passed ball] on Angel,” Pace said. “The runner was in Tino’s view at third base, which made it tough on him. I know it’s an excuse and he still should’ve had it, but it was a little different play than usual.”
Although they gave up the lead, the Stompers responded with three runs to take an 8-5 advantage. The eighth-inning rally was kickstarted on a single by Vasell to left field. Then Johnston hit the go-ahead single, Uriepero drew a bases-loaded walk and Carlson added a hit-by-pitch.
Sonoma had the opportunity to extend its lead further. However, the Stompers went 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position and 4 for 14 with runners on base in the contest.
Pace said moving forward he “wants to do some hits-and-runs" to mix up the offensive approach.
“We gotta find a way to score more runs,” Pace said. “We gotta put teams away earlier.”
The Stompers were able to shut down the Seagulls in the ninth inning. Infielder Anthony Scheppler (San Jose State) turned an unassisted double play on a line drive to end the game. Right-handed pitcher Keller Ausbun (Colorado State - Pueblo) picked up his second save of the year against the Seagulls.
Sonoma continues its homestand Friday against the Menlo Park Legends. In the last meeting between both teams June 14 in Palo Alto, Calif., the Stompers fell 6-3. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
“We’ll see how our guys bounce back tomorrow,” Pace said. “After a long ride back, you’re not delirious the next day, but the day after. Hopefully we bring the energy tomorrow.”