By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Infielder Caze Derammelaere (Vanguard University) steps forward, preparing himself for the pitch Sunday against the Alameda Merchants. The 6-foot-1 infielder went 1-for-3 with an RBI despite the Stompers falling 10-4 to the Walnut Creek Crawdads on Sunday. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien
SONOMA, Calif. — The Walnut Creek Crawdads defeated the Sonoma Stompers 10-4 Saturday at Arnold Field, scoring four runs in both the fifth and ninth innings.
Sonoma's bullpen allowed nine runs over the final six innings, the defense committed five errors and the offense went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame that his team got dominated across the board.
“We got beat in all three facets of the game,” Pace said. “And it wasn’t particularly close.”
Walnut Creek sports a 10-game win streak and sits in second place in the California Collegiate League North Division with a 14-4 record while Sonoma is 9-11 in league play.
Despite suffering defeat, the Stompers notched the opening run in the second inning.
With two outs and runners on second and third, outfielder Chase Taylor (University of Connecticut) delivered an RBI single to score infielder Mateo Heredia (Cal State Northridge). Stompers catcher Angel Garcia (Bellarmine University) was thrown out at home plate.
Taylor snapped an 0-for-14 slump. It was his first RBI since June 12, in a contest where the Stompers beat the Menlo Park Legends 8-4.
The Crawdads responded with a single in the third inning to tie the contest.
Stompers starting pitcher right-hander Luke Zmolik (Youngstown State) went four innings and struck out four. The Monroe, Washington, native allowed his first three hits and earned run of the season in his fourth appearance.
Walnut Creek’s starting pitcher right-hander Devin James (Sacramento State) went 3.2 innings with five strikeouts over 17 batters and allowed an earned run.
After James exited the affair, left-handed pitcher Paul Wheeler entered and shut down Sonoma’s offense during the middle innings. Wheeler didn’t concede a base hit in 2.1 innings and collected four strikeouts.
During the fourth inning, Sonoma had the opportunity to take the lead but couldn’t deliver.
The Stompers put runners on second and third base, however, outfielder Trent Keys (San Joaquin Delta College) struck out swinging. After a walk by Garcia, outfielder Ben Sebastiani (College of Marin) and Taylor went down looking to end the rally.
Pace said the sequence was “100% a momentum shift.”
“I pointed it out to the team,” Pace said. “The turning point in the game was when we had runners on second and third with nobody out. We had three K’s and a walk; that’s the difference in the game. Every day we work on it. You have to drive the runners in.”
Walnut Creek took the lead in the fifth inning, maintaining the advantage for the rest of the game. The Crawdads scored four runs on a bases-loaded walk, a wild pitch, a single and a fielder's choice.
Sonoma’s right-handed pitcher Ethan Rowland didn't record a single out in his fourth appearance and allowed four earned runs. He walked three batters, throwing 19 pitches and only six strikes. The Lafayette, Calif. native holds a 10.80 ERA in 6.2 innings.
Pace said it was “definitely a cause for concern” that Rowland struggled in relief for Zomlik, who had set the tone for the pitching at the start of the game.
“It wasn’t a good performance from a pitcher that shows up once a week,” Pace said. “It was a little disappointing ... it was brutal. You got to be ready to go.”
Both teams didn’t record another run until the seventh inning.
The Crawdads added to their lead after a catcher's interference call on Garcia kept the frame alive. Walnut Creek scored its fifth run after an error by shortstop Caze Derammelaere (Vanguard University).
The Stompers answered with a run in the bottom of the frame after a Derammelaere sacrifice fly. Sonoma added two more runs in the eighth after a fielder’s choice and throwing error to cut the deficit to 6-4.
In the top of the ninth, the Crawdads put away the game for good. Walnut Creek scored four runs — all four were charged to Sonoma’s right-handed pitcher Jaydn Ramos (San Joaquin Delta College). Prior to Saturday's contest, Ramos hadn’t allowed an earned run.
“He’s young, he needs reps and he hasn’t pitched that much before,” Pace said. “I won’t hold too much against him.”
The Stompers wrap up their three-game homestand Sunday against the Alameda Merchants. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and the game will be live streamed on YouTube.
“We’re here to win,” Pace said. “But if you want to get better and be better for yourself and your schools, we have to have that sense of urgency about winning the ballgame.”