David's 4 Hit Night Fuels 13-4 Win Over Pacifics

Scott David impressed in his home debut with a 4 for 4 performance Friday in a 13-4 win for the Stompers. David reached base in all five of this plate appearances.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Friday’s pivotal series against the San Rafael Pacifics in Sonoma began with offensive fireworks right from the start. Jake Taylor had a two run homer in first inning to give the Pacifics an early advantage. His fourteenth home run of the season gave him the lead in that category. Taylor’s lead in the home run category would not last long, and neither would that two run lead as the Stompers scored early and often in a 13-4 win over the Pacifcs

The Stompers offense was on fire for the second consecutive night with 18 hits as at team. The Stompers have outscored their opponents by a score of 26-8 over there last two games. It was also the fifth time in the last ten games that the Stomper have scored thirteen runs and they have outscored their opponents 65-15 in those five games combined. The Stompers have won four straight against San Rafael and scored thirteen runs in three of those four games. 

The Stompers offense scored eleven runs in innings five through seven to put the game well out of reach. Joel Carranza tied Taylor for the home run lead in the Pacific Association with a three run shot in the sixth. Carranza was 2 for 5 with four driven in. Mark Hurley also homered to right for his fifth homer of the season. Hurley was 1 for 4 on the night with two driven in. 
The newly acquired Scott David was absolutely sensational for Sonoma at the plate finishing a perfect 4 for 4 with an RBI and four runs scored. David is 6 for his first 8 at the plate and has reached base nine times in total in two games. The 2015 Pacific Association batting champion has continued right where he left off in this league with immediate success.

“David has played in some other leagues before coming out here and knows what it takes to be successful,” said bench coach Chris Matthews.  “I was really happy the approach our entire team to go out and be aggressive. We are executing at the plate against our competition and we just need to stay focused and keep the intensity level high the rest of the way.” 

Oliver Garcia picked up his fifth win on the mound in six innings. Garcia allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four. Adam Ogburn was also effective out of the pen in his 1 1/3 innings of work to close out the game. Ogburn struck out three of the four batters he faced. Ogburn has fared extremely well in his first three appearances with Sonoma. In 3 1/3 innings he has yet to allow a hit and has 6 strikeouts. 

The Stompers (41-29, 18-13 second half) tied the Pacifics (39-30, 18-13 second half) in the second half standings with the victory and took a two game lead in overall record. The next two games of the series will be critical for both teams heading into the final week of the season. Sonoma has found a winning formula over their last 16 games going 12-4 in those games to put themselves in this position in the second half. 

Tickets for the final two games of the series against the Pacifics are available on StompersBaseball.com. Stompers merchandise and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com. 
Box Score

Baptista Ties Franchise Record For RBIs In 13-4 Win Over Admirals

First baseman Daniel Baptista tied a franchise record with seven RBIs in the Stompers 13-4 win over the Admirals Thursday. Baptista was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and a double. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Sonoma had never lost two games in a series against Vallejo before this week. The Admirals had their eyes on a sweep Thursday after two straight one run victories. But the Stompers had other plans in the series finale at Wilson Park. The offense jumped on starter Marquis Hutchinson in the top of the first with a seven run rally and never looked back in a 13-4 win over the Admirals. Daniel Bapista delivered with a three run home run in the inning to get the scoring started. That would only be the beginning of a fabulous night at the plate for the big first baseman. 

Baptista had three extra base hits in the game and finished 3 for 4 with two home runs. Baptista hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning to drive in three more runs. Baptista came within just a few feet of a third home run in the sixth on an RBI double into left center field. Baptista finished the game with seven runs driven in on the night a season high for the team. That also tied the franchise record for most runs batted in one game. Baptista now shares the record with his teammate Joel Carranza who set the mark in 2015.Baptista was happy about his performance, but was more worried about helping out his team.

“I actually did not know that I tied the franchise record that is really amazing,” said Baptista. “When I come up to the plate I’m not trying to do to much. I go up there to do what ever the team asks me to do. It feels incredible to tie that record, but I just want to do what it takes to get a win.”

For the third time in the last nine games, the Stompers scored thirteen runs in total on thirteen hits. Five Stomper hitters finished with multiple hits. Mark Hurley closed a fantastic series in Vallejo with a 2 for 4 night. Hurley was 6 for 13 in the series. Scott David also made an impact in his Stompers debut going 2 for 4 with two walks and three runs scored. 

Juan Espinosa got credit for his second win of the season as a starter in his six-inning effort. Espinosa allowed six hits and four runs over the six innings with seven strikeouts. Sean Conroy also pitched for the first time since August 3 in two innings of relief. Conroy allowed no runs on two hits. That was a very positive sign for the right-hander who seems to be on the mend after coming off of the inactive list. 

The Stompers (40-29, 17-13 second half) will begin the biggest series of the season thus far Friday in a showdown against the San Rafael Pacifics (39-30, 18-12 second half). Sonoma trails San Rafael by only one game in the second half standings, but leads by one game in overall record. The Stompers had their struggles against the Pacifics in the first half but are 6-3 over their last nine against their bitter rivals. The winner of this three game series at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field will be in the drivers seat going into the final week of the regular season in the Pacific Association. 

Tickets for all three games of the showdown against San Rafael are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan Merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Stompers Drop Second Consecutive Game To Admirals 7-6

Yuki Yasuda reached base in all four of his plate appearances in Sonoma's 7-6 loss to the Admirals Wednesday. Yasuda was 1 for 1 with 2 walks and an RBI

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Darian Sandford of the Admirals is always a player that the opposing team wants to keep off the base paths. His speed is unmatched by any player in the Pacific Association. He has more steals (74) than two of the four teams in the league by himself. The Stompers were unable to do that Wednesday. Sandford reached base five times and fueled the Admirals to a 7-6 win over the Stompers at Wilson Park. 

Sanford accounted for six of the seven runs the Admirals scored Wednesday finishing 4 of 4 with three driven in and three runs scored. Sandford also broke the single game Pacific Association league record with five stolen bases on the night. One of those stolen bases was a steal of home. 

The largest inning of the game for the Admirals was the second as the Admirals put four runs on the board to jump out to an early lead. Two singles with two outs by Sandford, and Pedro Perez brought the four runs home off Taylor Thurber. Thurber did not have his best stuff tonight for Sonoma allowing nine hits and a season high five runs in only four innings of work. The second inning has been key for the Admirals in the series as they have outscored the Stompers 9-0 in that inning over the first two games. 

Despite being down early, the Stompers offense was able to battle back in innings four through six scoring six runs in those frames. Sonoma had the lead briefly 6-5 in the top of the sixth when Daniel Baptista singled home Matt Hibbert. Baptista was the only Stomper hitter with multiple hits finishing 2 for 4 with an RBI. Yuki Yasuda also reached base in all four of his plate appearances finishing 1 for 1 with 2 walks and an RBI. 

For the first time this season the Admirals(29-39, 14-15 second half) have won a series against the Stompers (39-29, 16-13 second half) and have a chance to sweep the Stompers Thursday night in the series finale. Sonoma will look to end their final trip to Vallejo on a high note and will send Juan Espinosa to the hill (3-3 3.24 ERA). It will not be an easy task for the Stompers as the tough right-hander Marquis Hutchinson (5-3 2.78 ERA) is scheduled to get the start Thursday. It will be a important game for the Sonoma to win as a huge series against San Rafael over the weekend looms next. 

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com

Box Score

Former Stomper Dylan Stoops Signed By San Diego Padres

Dylan Stoops was signed on Wednesday by the San Diego Padres, the third former Stompers player to be signed by a Major League organization. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Baseball Operations & Media

For the third time in team history, a former Sonoma Stompers player has been signed by a Major League organization, as 2015 left-hander Dylan Stoops was signed by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

"We're thrilled for Dylan," said Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster, "This is an opportunity he truly deserves, and we're thankful to Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller for helping make sure he made a stop in Sonoma to start his professional career."

The 24-year-old joins 2014 Pacific Association MVP Jayce Ray (Boston Red Sox, 2015) and former 2015 teammate and fellow hurler Santos Saldivar (Milwaukee Brewers, 2016) as former Stompers who have moved on to affiliated baseball, with Stoops being signed after a tremendous year with Traverse City of the Frontier League.

In 16 starts with the Beach Bums, Stoops went 9-3 with a 3.18 ERA, a nearly identical mark to his 3.13 ERA with Sonoma last season. He had a 79/28 K/BB ratio in 90 1/3 innings while allowing only 77 hits. In his final four starts, he allowed four earned runs in 28 IP (1.29 ERA), including a 10-strikeout complete game on August 9 against Windy City, one of three times he went the distance in 2016.

Stoops came to the Stompers in 2015 thanks to a spreadsheet used by Miller and Lindbergh to help build the team's roster, where they looked at players who were successful in their senior years of college, but were not drafted.

The duo picked Stoops thanks to his fantastic numbers at Richmond University and signed him to be a part of the team in the second half of the season. Saldivar was also signed from that spreadsheet shortly before Stoops signed, as were two other current Stompers: Second-year hurler Sean Conroy and Taylor Thurber, who signed with Sonoma during spring training of this season.

Coming to the team in the midst of a pennant chase, Stoops became an immediate contributor for Sonoma, striking out 29 in 23 innings while allowing only 20 hits and 10 walks. He also had a 1.97 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), the lowest mark in the Pacific Association for pitchers with at least 15 innings.

"Dylan quickly established himself as the best left-handed pitcher in the Pacific Association," Lindbergh said, "He has both the stuff and the mentality to succeed against advanced competition." 

Amongst Pacific Association pitchers who had at least one start in 2015, Stoops had the highest strikeout rate (31 percent) and the lowest slugging percentage allowed (.274) while also sporting a 62 percent ground ball rate, the second highest on the team.

Ninth Inning Rally Falls Just Short In 8-7 Loss To Admirals

Mark Hurley lead the Stompers in hits, and RBIs in the Stompers 8-7 loss to the Admirals Tuesday. Hurley was 3 for 4 with  two doubles 3 driven in. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Stompers and Admirals opened a three game set Tuesday with a lot of drama at Wilson Park. The Stompers had the tying, and lead runners in scoring position with the Stompers hottest hitter Joel Carranza at the plate in the top of the ninth with two outs. With the crowd on the edge of their seat, Carranza could not square up a pitch from Josh Evans and flew out to center field and Sonoma came up just short in Game One loosing 8-7.

The Admirals used a strategy that has worked so many times for the Stompers against them Tuesday by scoring runs in bunches. After the Stompers jumped out to a three run advantage in the first inning, the Admirals roared back with a huge rally in the bottom of the second inning. The Admirals first three hitters reached despite the ball not leaving the infield. Aaron Brill then delivered a crushing blow with a bases clearing triple to tie the game at three. The Admirals tacked on two more in the inning and lead 5-3 going into the third. 

After the Stompers cut the lead to one in the top of the seventh, the Admirals had an answer with another big inning. The rally started in a similar way that the second inning rally did as the first two runners reached on a walk, and bunt single. Tim Williams then launched his seventh home run of the season into left center field off of Ryan Richardson to give the Admirals a four run advantage. 

The Stompers were able to make thing interesting in the ninth, but they let a few opportunities get away as well. The Stompers out hit the Admirals finishing with thirteen, and stranded fourteen runners on base. Four Stomper hitters finished with multiple hits with Mark Hurley leading the way with three. Hurley had one of his best nights in recent memory and finished 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, and three driven in. 

The good news for both the Stompers (39-28, 16-12 second half), and the Admirals (28-39, 13-15 second half) was that the Pacifics (37-30, 16-12 second half) lost the Diamonds Tuesday. Sonoma remained tied with San Rafael in the second half standing, and the Admirals crept a little closer to both teams ahead of them. Taylor Thurber is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night, and has faired well against the Admirals. Thurber pitched a complete game the last time he faced Vallejo in a 14-1 win over the Admirals on July 17.  

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Fan merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers front office at info@stompersbaseball.com. 

Box Score

Stompers Erase Late Inning Deficit In 5-4 Win Over Diamonds

Third baseman Eddie Mora-Loera and center fielder Matt Hibbert celebrated a walk-off win Sunday in a 5-4 win over the Diamonds. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Coming into Sunday, the San Rafael Pacifics had a one game lead over the Stompers in the Pacific Association. However, a loss earlier in the afternoon by the Pacifics gave the Stompers an opportunity to tie for the lead in the second half with a win. The Diamonds took a little wind out of the Stompers sails early scoring four runs in the first four innings to jump out in front. But the home team had a comeback in them. The Stompers rallied from a three run deficit, winning the game in the bottom of the ninth by a score of 5-4 over the Diamonds. 

The Stompers trailed by one heading to the bottom of the ninth with flame thrower Joe Mello on the mound trying to close things out. Mello came into the game having had a lot of success with 33 strikeouts in only 22 1/3 innings pitched. However, Mello had issues in the past with control, and struggled to find the strike zone Sunday.

After Joel Carranza hit an RBI single to tie the game, Mello walked the next two hitters with the second one being with the bases loaded. Eddie Mora-Loera flipped the his bat in the air and trotted to first as Derrick Fox crossed home plate scoring the winning run to take the series. It was the second walk off win the Stompers have had this season.

The offense was silent in the early going for the Stompers as Ricky Schafer had a solid outing in six innings pitched. The only run that scored off Schafer was on a solo home run by Joel Carranza in the first inning. It was Carranza’s 13th home run of the season. Carranza is now tied with Jake Taylor of the Pacifics for the most home runs in the Pacific Association. 

Erik Gonsalves was a key component to the win by keeping his team in the ballgame. Starter Gregory Paulino did not make it out of the fourth, allowing 8 hits in 3 2/3 innings. Gonsalves entered the game and shut out the Diamonds for the rest of the game, allowing only two hits with six strikeouts to pick up the win.

“This team through the entire season has played with a never die mentality. They fight till the very end and do not give up until that final out is recorded,” said bench coach Chris Matthews. 

The Stompers (39-27, 16-11 second half) are 10-2 over their last 12 games and finished 5-1 for the second consecutive week. With 12 games remaining on the regular season slate, the Stompers and Pacifics are tied atop the Pacific Association. The next challenge for Sonoma will be presented by a team they have not faced in over a month in the Vallejo Admirals (27-39, 12-15 second half). The Stompers have played well against the Admirals this season, and have yet to lose a series against them. The Stompers will play six of their final twelve games against the Admirals to end the season. 

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Tickets and fan merchandise is also available for purchase inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Baptista Launches 2 Home Runs In Stompers 13-2 Win Over Diamonds

First baseman Daniel Baptista hit 2 home runs with one of them being a grand slam off Jose Canseco in a 13-2 win over the Diamonds. Baptista finished 2 for 5 with six runs driven in. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Stompers proved early on Saturday that they would not have a hangover from the shutout loss Friday to the Pittsburg Diamonds. Starting pitcher Jose Canseco was ineffective and did not make it through the first inning, recording only one out as Sonoma tacked on nine runs in the first and cruised to a 13-2 win over the Diamonds.

14 batters came to the plate for the Stompers in the first inning, tying a franchise record, and the nine runs scored are the second most in an inning in team history, only one behind their 10-run second inning against this same Diamonds team in an 18-4 win on June 3.

The big blow in the inning was a grand slam by Daniel Baptista, the second grand slam the Stompers have had in the last two weeks. That was not all for the big first baseman, as he launched a two run home run in the third inning to put the Stompers into double digit runs. Baptista was 2 for 5, finishing with a season-high six driven in, the most runs driven in by a Stomper this season. After his homer against Canseco, Baptista couldn't believe it until after he crossed home plate.

“It did not hit me that I hit a home run off of Canseco until I got back to the dugout. It really was a crazy feeling,” Baptista said. “I will always be able to say that I hit a home run off of Jose Canseco.” 

The Stompers offense was not the only thing that was clicking on all cylinders, as Oliver Garcia turned in a fantastic effort to pick up his fourth win of the season. Garcia allowed only four hits and struck out a season-high 11 batters on the night, one shy of the franchise mark shared by three Stomper hurlers. Garcia was in control of all his pitches and kept the Diamonds hitters off-balanced all night long, a great bounce back after only 3 1/3 innings against Pittsburg this past Sunday.

The rubber match of the series between the Stompers (38-27, 15-11 second half) and the Diamonds (29-36, 10-16 second half) will feature a start by Gregory Paulino (4-4 3.83 ERA) as he facing off against Ricky Schafer (1-6 5.94 ERA). Sonoma trails the San Rafael Pacifics (37-28, 16-10 second half) by one game in the Pacific Association second half standings and need a win to keep the pressure on the Pacifics in this tight race over the last 13 games of the season.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available. Sunday’s game will be the last opportunity to see Jose Canseco in Sonoma this season and tickets for the game are still available. Fan Merchandise and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Ellis Dominates On The Mound In 8-0 Win Over Stompers

Second baseman Chaz Meadows finished 1 for 3 in the Stompers 8-0 loss to the Diamonds Friday night at People's Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

All good things must come to an end at some point. Sonoma began a three game series at home against the Pittsburg Diamonds a team they swept on the road a week ago. They carried a 7 game win streak into the game with the offense averaging nine runs per game over that span. However that was all before the lefty Rob Ellis took the mound on Friday.

Ellis had not pitched since July 14 before Friday at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. But his return to the mound was quite the spectical as the southpaw was absolutely dominant in the 8-0 win over the Stompers. Ellis pitched seven innings allowing no runs on only four hits. Ellis also had a season high eleven strikeouts on the night. His previous season high was nine in a game that was also against the Stompers on June 21.

Offensively, the Diamonds scored more runs Friday than the Pacifics did against Sonoma in the entire series ealier this week. They scored runs in six of seven innings at one point and seven of the nine starters in the Diamond lineup finished with a hit. Nick Oddo had a night to remember finishing a perfect 4 for 4 with three driven in.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Stompers offense was held in check and only mustered 4 hits on the night. No Stomper finished with more than one hit. That meant Joel Carranza’s impressive streak of seven multihit games came to and end along with the recent winning streak. But much of that can be attributed to the brilliance of Ellis who turned in an impressive outing.

All is not lost for the Stompers (37-27, 14-11 second half) after a deflating loss. The Stompers still will have a chance to win the series over the next two days against the Diamonds (29-35, 10-15 second half.) It will be a very interesting night Saturday as 52 year old Jose Canseco is scheduled to get the start with Stacy Piagno scheduled to get the start for the Stompers. It will be the first time Canseco will make an appearance at People’s Home Equity Ballpark since Canseco played in two games with the Stompers in 2015.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on StompersBaseball.com. Saturday will be a special night at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field as the Stompers will host “Pitch Night At The Ballpark.” All fans in attendance will have a chance to come on the field after the game to view the first episode of the new FOX drama series PITCH. Stompers players will be available to sign autographs and mingle with fans after the game as well. Tickets for that game are still available. Fan merchandise and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Stompers To Host "Pitch Night At The Ballpark"

"Pitch Night At The Ballpark" will premiere the new FOX drama PITCH on August 13. Fans will be invited on to the field to view the episode after the game against the Pittsburg Diamonds.

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

FOX has teamed up with the Sonoma Stompers for “PITCH Night at the Ballpark,” an event that will bring the premiere episode of PITCH to fans attending the game against the Pittsburg Diamonds on Saturday, August 13 at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

PITCH premieres Thursday, Sept. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, and follows the fictional story of Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury, “Under the Dome”), the first female pitcher in the big leagues. Produced in association with Major League Baseball, the series’ aspirational element pairs perfectly with the vision of the Stompers and Virginia Dare Winery. Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno bring the idea of women playing in professional baseball to life, as both players are scheduled to start in the game on Saturday. Piagno will be the starting pitcher and Whitmore will start in left field.

“PITCH Night at the Ballpark” will be held in 43 different Minor League stadiums and 12 independent and college summer league ballparks across the country during the months of August and September.

After the game on Saturday in Sonoma, all fans will be welcomed onto the field to view the premiere episode of PITCH. Soft drinks, and snacks will be provided and are complimentary. Members of the Stompers, including Whitmore and Piagno will be available to mingle with fans and sign autographs.

“PITCH Night at the Ballpark”  kicked off its 55-market event on Sunday, Aug. 7.

PITCH is a production of 20th Century Fox Television. Dan Fogelman and Rick Singer are co-creators and executive producers of the series. Emmy Award winner Kevin Falls (“Minority Report,” “Franklin & Bash,” “The West Wing”), Academy Award winner Tony Bill (“The Sting,” “Taxi Driver”), Helen Bartlett (“Untamed Heart,” “A Home of Our Own,” “North Country”) and Jess Rosenthal are also executive producers. Emmy Award winner Paris Barclay (EMPIRE, “Sons of Anarchy”) serves as director and executive producer. “Like” PITCH on Facebook atfacebook.com/PitchonFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @PitchonFOX and join the discussion at #Pitch. See photos and videos on Instagram by following@PitchonFOX.

Stompers Complete Sweep In 6-2 Win Over Pacifics

Matt Hibbert got things started at the top of the order in Sonoma's 6-2 win over the Pacifics Thursday. Hibbert finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored as the Stompers won their seventh straight game.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Thursday’s game did not get off to a great start like the first two games in the series did for the home team. The San Rafael Pacifics jumped out to an early two run lead and had a pitcher on the mound that had never lost against the Sonoma Stompers all season. It was the first time San Rafael had led at any point in the series.  But then the bottom of the fourth inning came.

The fourth had been good to the Stompers in the series as they had scored five runs in that inning over each of the first two games. That success continued Thursday as the Stompers rallied for four runs to take the lead and tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to complete a series sweep of the Pacifcs by a score of 6-2. It was the first time Sonoma had swept their bitter rival this season while extending their win streak to seven in the process. They also tied the Pacifics in the second half standings. 

The offensive attack was once again balanced Thursday as seven of the nine starters had at least one hit in the game. Joel Carranza had his seventh straight multi-hit game and finished 2 for 4 with two driven in. Carranza is 15 for his last 29 at the plate. Matt Hibbert had a fantastic night as well, capping a fabulous series finishing 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Hibbert has been a catalyst in the leadoff spot over this win streak as he has seven multi-hit games in his last 10 games. 

“If I can get things started at the top, it is going to get everybody else going behind me. If I can do my job to get on base in any way that I can it is going to make it easier for my team to score runs. So that is the only thing that I’m trying to do,” said Hibbert. 

Taylor Thurber was under the weather Thursday night but showed no sign of it with a solid outing on the mound for the Stompers. Thurber went seven innings strong allowing five hits, a walk, and six strikeouts. Thurber and the rest of the starting pitchers did a phenomenal job in the series with three quality starts. “It doesn’t matter what is going on with a guy like Thurber; when he’s on the field he’s going to compete,” Hibbert said. “Our staff gives the offense a lot of confidence because we feel like if we can score a few runs early then we are going to be okay because the starter is going to shut the other team down.”

The home stand continues Friday for the Stompers (37-26, 14-10 second half) against the Pittsburg Diamonds (25-37, 8-15 second half). Sonoma carries a seven game winning streak into the series and a lot of confidence after a four game sweep of the Diamonds last weekend on the road. Juan Espinosa will get the start to open the series Friday night. Espinosa pitched a complete game in an 8-3 win in Pittsburg on August 6. 

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Tickets and fan merchandise are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information about the team, contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score