By Elakai Anela, Beat Writer
Outfielder Wesley Bass (Georgia State - #44) and infielder Anthony Scheppler (San Jose State - #7) talk together as they walk out to the field at Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif. The Stompers were eliminated — and fell short of the CCL North Title — Wednesday after suffering a 5-1 defeat to the Walnut Creek Crawdads. Photo Courtesy of Karsen Kadien / Sonoma Stompers
DANVILLE, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers reign of the California Collegiate League North Division ended Wednesday, as it suffered a 5-1 defeat Wednesday in the North Title Game against the Walnut Creek Crawdads at Monta Vista High School. Sonoma went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 3-for-16 with runners on.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said postgame his team “just didn’t come through” with runners on base.
“I think it comes and goes throughout the year during those situations,” Pace said. “It’s tough in a playoff baseball environment. Everyone has their best arms pitching.”
Sonoma’s starting pitcher Matthew Schallbeger (San Joaquin Delta College) pitched four scoreless innings. He collected three strikeouts and allowed four hits but limited the damage.
Walnut Creek’s starting pitcher Jeremy Jones (Ball State) held the Stompers scoreless for six innings. The Chandler, Arizona, native worked through traffic on the bases, as he surrendered five hits and had only two strikeouts but didn’t suffer an earned run.
After Jones departed, the Stompers scored their only run in the top of the seventh on single by infielder Anthony Scheppler (San Jose State). Infielder Misael Uriepero (Youngstown State) was thrown out at the plate on a relay during the single to end the inning.
Pace said it was “outstanding” to see Scheppler come through.
“The guy grinds, he never complains,” Pace said. “He’s in every game, all-in. Great attitude and effort.”
Moments later with a runner on first, Crawdads catcher Riley Winchell (Sacramento State) responded with a triple to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. During the triple, Stompers catcher Hunter Carlson (Georgia State) overthrew infielder Tino Vasell (University of San Francisco), allowing Winchell to score himself as the go-ahead run.
Stompers manager Zack Pace said he thought Carlson “had a chance” to get the runner out advancing to third, an error that put Sonoma behind.
“I thought we had a chance to get him out,” Pace said. “We should have caught it.”
Walnut Creek added two insurance runs in the eighth inning, blowing the game open and extending their lead to 5-1. After a single, groundout and a wild pitch, designated hitter Ryan Ellis (Sacramento State)hit an RBI single. The second run of the frame scored on a sacrifice fly from infielder Kevin Parker (University of the Pacific) with one out.
Stompers right-handed pitcher Gage McCown (Cal State Northridge) struggled to contain Walnut Creek’s bats in the eighth, allowing four hits and three earned runs in 0.2 innings.
Sonoma’s offense went down quietly in the ninth. Vasell drew a leadoff walk, but outfielder Connor Johnston (Bellarmine University) grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. Uriepero grounded out to first, endingthe contest.
The Stompers season is over. Their schedule next year is TBD.