By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto (San Diego State University) kicks and deals the pitch Tuesday at Sinsheimer Stadium in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Laguinto pitched 3.2 scoreless innings and had six strikeouts in Sonoma’s 1-0 extra inning victory over the San Luis Obispo Blues. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Infielder Bryson Ayala (Tulane University) delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning Tuesday, scoring designated hitter Ben Sebastiani (College of Marin) from second.
In the bottom of the frame, right-handed pitcher Devon Laguinto (San Diego State University) secured the final three outs in order — striking out the side — as the Sonoma Stompers held on to defeat the San Luis Obispo Blues 1-0 at Sinsheimer Park in the California Collegiate League North Wild Card Game.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said his pitching led the way, despite a few mistakes in the field.
“Our pitching dominated. It was good to see,” Pace said. “They [the Blues] only had three hits. There weren’t really any threats.”
Making his first career postseason appearance for the Stompers, right-handed pitcher Max Mazinter (University of Nevada-Reno) pitched five scoreless innings. He collected seven strikes, walking one and allowed one hit, departing the contest after throwing a season-high 71 pitches.
San Luis Obispo’s starting pitcher left-hander Moose Cuellar (Fresno State) matched Mazinter with five scoreless innings. The 6-foot-3 southpaw allowed three hits and walked three but struck out eight hitters.
In the seventh, the Blues had runners on first and second with two outs after an error by utility player Hunter Carlson (Georgia State). Pace pulled right-handed pitcher Ayden Tinsley (Modesto College), bringing in Laguinto.
Laguinto escaped the jam, striking out the first hitter he faced. Pace said he did a “great job” coming out of the pen and “cleaning up the inning.”
The Stompers had an opportunity to open the scoring in the eighth inning but couldn’t deliver.
After a leadoff single by outfielder Chase Taylor (University of Connecticut), outfielder Wesley Bass (Georgia State) laid down a sacrifice bunt. Blues catcher Miles Mador (Indiana University) and infielder CJ Moran (University of San Diego) collided in fair territory, allowing Taylor to advance to third.
However, the umps ruled the play dead, sending Taylor back to first and Bass back to the batter’s box. Bass grounded out and the next two Stompers failed to reach base safely.
With the momentum on San Luis Obispo’s side, Laguinto continued to stifle its offense. The Rohnert Park, Calif., native recorded the next six outs to send the contest into extra innings.
Pace said his team does a great job of moving onto the “next pitch” whether it’s “good or bad.”
“You got to have a good attitude going forward to the next pitch,” Pace said. “Our guys do a good job of that. We just grinded tonight.”
Despite Sonoma being 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position through the first nine innings, it broke through in the tenth. Sebastiani started the frame with a double. Then, the nine-hole hitter, Ayala delivered the single to score Sonoma’s only run.
Pace said his club is “deep” and his team is “full of good players,” leading to success for guys who are slotted lower in the lineup.
“They’ve all been good at some point in the year, had their hot streaks,” Pace said. "Finding ways to score at the bottom of the order is huge.”
After Sonoma scored, Laguinto trotted out to the mound to finish the contest. In-between innings, Pace said the 6-foot right-hander told his bench the game “was over”. Laguinto backed it up with a 1-2-3 inning, striking out the side, to finish the contest.
Pace said Laguinto is the “ideal” Stomper, a role model for the Sonoma community.
“He’s a Stomper for life guy,” Pace said. “He’s outstanding.”
With the victory against the Blues, the Stompers advanced to the CCL North Title Game where they will face the Walnut Creek Crawdads on Wednesday in Danville, Calif. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed on YouTube. The winner of that contest will play the CCL South Winner.
Two years ago, the Stompers were in the same position. They had just beat San Luis Obispo and had a quick turnaround against Walnut Creek in the North Division Title Game.
Pace’s approach has changed.
“Last time, we were very excited. It was our first playoff win,” Pace said. “We were hyped on the bus. Now, it’s a little quiet on the bus. Maybe that even-keelness will help us get some more rest and have us ready to go.”