STOMPERS ROLLING, WIN 8TH STRAIGHT IN 12-6 WIN OVER SALINA

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers returned home on Thursday night for the first game of a two game home stand. The Salina Stockade were out to an early lead but the Stompers offense ignited in the 12-3 victory, increasing the win-streak to 8 games.  

Konner Arnold (3-0) started the game on the hill for Zack Pace’s Stompers, looking for his 3rdwin in as many starts. 

The Stockade got to Arnold first in the top of the 1stinning on a solo homerun off the bat of Louis Martini, giving the Stockade and early 1-0 lead. 

The Stompers answered in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI groundout by Dondrei Hubbard and a two-out RBI single by Chris Kwitzer to give the Stompers a 2-1 lead against Salina starter Cole Langdon (0-3). 

One run was put on the board in the bottom of the 2ndand 3rdinnings for the Stompers. Jacob Barfield led off the last of the second with a single and later scored on an error by the second baseman Omar Artsen. In the bottom of the 3rd, Hubbard launched his league-leading 6thhomerun to left-center field, extending the lead to 4-1. 

Designated hitter Nick Gotta led off the bottom of the 5thinning against Andrew Merken, the third Salina pitcher of the game, with a base hit. He later scored on an error by Chuck Rocker in center field making in a 5-1 ballgame. 

Salina got one run in the top half of the 6thinning when Eric Kozak knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice, closing the gap 5-2. 

The offense patiently took advantage of pitching miscues by Salina in the bottom of the 6thinning, scoring 7 runs. The Stompers got help on 4 hit-by-pitches, 2 walks, and an error as the lead ballooned to 12-2. 

The Stockade got one more in the top of the 7th and 3 in the 9th but it was not enough as the Stompers win 12-6, extending their win streak to 8 games, one shy of the franchise record. 

The Stompers quick home stand ends Friday night at 6:05 against the Vallejo Admirals. 

Stompers defeat Napa, 3-2

NAPA, Calif.- On Tuesday, June 18, the Sonoma Stompers secured a 3-2 victory in a duel over the Napa Silverados at Miner Family Field in Napa.

Through four innings, Stomper right-hander Nick Barnese made quick work of the Silverado lineup, allowing only one hit and notching four strikeouts.

Napa starting pitcher Billy Felo commanded the early innings as well, holding the Stomper offense to two hits through four innings. Felo, who entered the game 0-1 with a 3.83 ERA, struggled in the fifth inning when Miles Williams hit a lead-off single followed by a Jacob Barfield double in the gap.

Catcher Bronson Butcher followed the hits with a base-on-balls, and shortstop Nick Kern hit an RBI-single in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Jacob Barfield found home plate on a pitch in the dirt that escaped Silverado catcher Nicco Toni, bringing the Stomper lead to 2-0. The offensive damage concluded with a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Pedro Barrios, which scored Butcher from third base.

The Silverado offense was able to respond in the bottom half of the inning, initiated by a ground-rule double by clean-up batter Jacob Bissell. Bissell eventually scored on a fielder’s choice by Nick Ultsch, but Barnese was able to stop the bleeding thereby striking out Sean Jackson to end the inning.

Both teams called on the bullpen for the seventh inning. Andrew Fernandez took the mound in the top half of the inning for Napa and sat down Sonoma in order, recording two strikeouts and a groundout to shortstop William Salas. Willie Ethington replaced Barnese for Sonoma, and made it through the bottom of the seventh flawlessly, getting three straight outs in only seven pitches.

Some excitement, however, arose in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Silverado first baseman Josh Montelongo crushed an opposite-field solo home run to right-center field, bringing the score to 3-2. The Stompers were unable to scratch across any more insurance runs in the top of the last inning, as Silverado reliever Mark Young Jr. struck out the side in order.

The Stompers brought out closer Jacob Cox to stifle any potential last-chance threats from the Napa offense in the bottom of the ninth. Cox faced the two-hole hitter Dakota Connors to begin what would be a climactic finish to the game. Connors roped a double to right field, followed by a five-pitch walk to Jordan Garr. After an overthrow from Sonoma catcher Bronson Butcher on an attempted back-pick to second base, Zack Pace and the Stomper coaching staff elected to intentionally walk Jacob Bissell to load the bases.

Cox then induced a third-to-home-to-first double play on a ground ball off the bat of Nicco Toni, securing two big outs for the Stomper defense. Cox then struck out Josh Montelongo in three straight pitches to end the comeback and the game.

With the road win, the Sonoma Stompers improve to 10-3 on the season, which leads the Pacific Association. The Napa Silverados fall to 4-9 and fourth in the division.

MILES WILLIAMS SIGNED BASEBALL CARD GIVEAWAY NIGHT

SONOMA, Calif- Come out and support your Stompers on Miles Williams baseball card giveaway night, Thursday, June 20 at 6:05 pm as they take on the Salina Stockade!

The first 100 fans who arrive at Arnold field that night will receive a Miles “Westside” Williams signed baseball card!

If can’t make it in time to get a card, be sure to participate in the between inning games for a chance to win one! Or bring a glove or gear to have Williams sign it before or after the game!

Williams is in his second season playing for the Stompers and seventh season of professional baseball. He was drafted twice, the first out of local high school in Windsor, Calif.  by the LA Dodgers but opted out to play collegiate ball at Cal State Northridge. The second by the Miami Marlins in 2013.

Last season for the Stompers, Williams hit a career-high 20 home runs in 60 games. He was promoted to the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks in August.

To purchase Stompers tickets and to find more information about the team, visit stompersbaseball.com, call us at (707) 938-7277 or send an email to info@stompersbaseball.com.

STOMPERS OFFENSE BACKS OMAÑA

VALLEJO, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers concluded the week with a day game at Wilson Park in Vallejo in which they shutout the Admirals 5-0.

Henry Omaña (2-0) threw exceptionally well for the second start in a row, leading the way form the Stompers big win, their 5th of the week and their 6th in a row.

The offense finally came alive in the top of the 4th inning when Miles Williams was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run and Jacob Barfield followed with a sacrifice fly to double the lead 2-0.

The Stompers put up a pair of runs again in the top of the 7th on a Rob DeAngelis RBI single and an misplayed ball by Gomez in right on a Dondrei Hubbard single to allow Barrios to score, making it a 4-0 lead.

The Stompers got their final run in the 8th on a Pedro Barrios RBI single up the middle to extend the lead 5-0.

The bullpen: Connor Leedholm, Marshall Shill and Ryan Richardson, did not allow any hit over the final 3 inning to secure the shutout win. The Stompers are back in action on Tuesday in Napa at 5:05.

STOMPERS WIN FRANCHISE RECORD-SETTING GAME 17-12

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers played the second-longest 9-inning game in franchise history on Friday night in their four hours and nine minute win over the Salina Stockade 17-12.

Ethan Gibbons (0-1) got the start on the mound for Manager Zack Pace but he did not look right out of the gate. Gibbons allowed a leadoff home run to Justin Byrd, quickly putting the Stockade up 1-0. He surrendered 2 more runs in the top of the first on a Kyle Ulanday 2-run single and just like that Salina led 3-0.

They got to Gibbons again in the top of the second inning on another leadoff home run, this one by Zane Gelphman, and a pair of RBI singles, doubling the lead 6-0.

Now in a hole, the Stompers would try to do what they had done twice already in this home stand, score a dozen runs.

The Stompers answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the second inning on a Brock Hartley RBI groundout and with some help on a wild pitch by Andrew Merken, cutting into the deficit 6-2.

Things started to get out of hand for Salina in the bottom of the third inning. Dondrei Hubbard was hit by a pitch to open the inning and then Chris Kwitzer followed with a single. Miles Williams walked to load the bases.

On a 1-2 count to Brock Hartley, the big outfielder fouled a ball down the left field line but his right knee buckled underneath him. Hartley had to be carried off the field and taken for further evaluation. Rob DeAngelis took his spot in the lineup.

A wild pitch brought Hubbard home, making it 6-3. DeAngelis worked a walk to load the bases once again. After a Jacob Barfield strikeout for the first out, Bronson Butcher hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Kwitzer, bringing the score to 6-4. Rayson Romero drew a walk to load the bases once more and Nick Gotta drove in a run on a walk, putting the Stompers within one, 6-5. With the bases loaded still, Pedro Barrios delivered a 2-run single up the middle, giving the Stompers a 7-6 lead in just the bottom of the third inning, but they were not done. with runners at the corners Hubbard walked and was on base for the second time in the inning. Kwitzer then grounded to short for an infield single, driving in a run, but the wild throw to first allowed 2 more runs to score in the error, capping off an 8-run bottom of the third with the Stompers now leading 10-6.

The Stompers added 2 more in the bottom the fourth inning on a Butcher 2-run single up the middle, extending the lead to 12-6.

In the top of the fifth inning, Salina scored 3 times on an RBI single by Omar Artsen, and RBI double from Chuck Rocker, and an RBI groundout by Byrd to cut into the Stompers lead, 12-9.

Williams led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a walk and he later came around to score on a wild pitch, increasing the lead to 13-9. Barrios’ 3-run triple to center and Hubbard’s RBI single both extended the lead to 17-9 after five innings of play.

Salina scored twice more in the top of the seventh and once in the top of the eighth but that was all as the Stompers win 17-12 in a rollercoaster battle after being down 6-0 after the first inning and a half.

The Stompers have an off day on Saturday before returning to the field in Vallejo on Sunday for a 1:05 start against the Admirals.

PATEL SHOVES, EARNS FIRST WIN AFTER RETIRING 11 ADMIRALS IN A ROW

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers extend their winning streak to 4 games after Vijay Patel’s magnificent start in 6-2 win over the Vallejo Admirals. 

The Stompers got on the board first in the bottom of the 1stinning against Vallejo right-hander Carl Brice. Nick Gotta, the Pacific Association’s leader in walks, drew a walk to open the ballgame and was followed by a Pedro Barrios double. Rob DeAngelis brought home the first run with a flare single to left, making it 1-0. Chris Kwitzer then drove in his 7thrun of the year with a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Barrios, extending the lead to 2-0. 

Vallejo scored in the top of the second inning on a Nick Crouse RBI single, cashing in Chevy Clarke’s leadoff double, cutting the lead in half 2-1. 

Pedro Barrios extended the Stompers lead in the bottom of the 4thinning with a 3-run bomb to right center field, his first of the year, increasing the lead to 5-1. 

Vijay Patel (1-0) tossed a spectacular 6 innings of work. He allowed one more run on a Zach Files homer in the top of the 6thbut that was all. He scattered 3 hits across those 6 inning while allowing just 2 runs and striking out 8. At one point, Patel had retired 11 Admirals in a row before that streak was snapped by the Files home run. 

The Stompers added one more in the bottom of the 6thinning on a Dondrei Hubbard RBI single up the middle, making the score 6-2.

The bullpen was phenomenal for Manager Zack Pace. In 3 innings they allowed just 1 hit as Jacob Cox slammed the door in the 9th.

The Stompers improve to 7-3 on the season and sit just ½ game behind San Rafael for first place and are back at Arnold Field on Friday night at 6:05 for the final game of the home stand. 

STOMPERS SCORE A DOZEN IN SECOND STRAIGHT GAME, HOLD ON TO BEAT PACIFICS 12-11

SONOMA, Calif- On a perfect Wednesday night at Arnold Field, the Sonoma Stompers took the field against the arch-rival San Rafael Pacifics who came in with the league’s best record of 7-2. The Stompers homered five times and hung on late to secure the 12-11 win over their rivals from the south. 

San Rafael got on the board first against right-handed starter Konner Arnold (2-0). After two quick outs opened the ballgame, Arnold walked Axel Johnson and then back-to-back hits by Jimmy Lunardelli and Corey Dempster brought Johnson across for the first run. 

The Stompers had to wait until the bottom of the second inning to answer offensively against Pacifics starter Tyler Skinner. A leadoff walk to Chris Kwitzer brought Brock Hartley to the plate who delivered an RBI triple to right center, tying the game 1-1. Jacob Barfield then grounded out to second base, driving in Hartley, giving the Stompers their first lead of the game. 

San Rafael tied the game in the top half of the third inning when Dante Biagini was driven in by a Jimmy Lunardelli single to knot the game 2-2. 

In the bottom half Pedro Barrios led off with a walk and Rob DeAngelis followed with a two-run home run to right field, his first of the year, putting the Stompers back out in front 4-2. Dondrei Hubbard immediately followed with his fourth home run of the season, going back-to-back with DeAngelis, extending the lead 5-2. 

Arnold allowed one more run in the top of the sixth inning and finished the night allowing three runs, only two earned, on six hits while striking out five in six innings of work, lining himself up for his second win in as many starts.

 The Stompers answered once again in the bottom half of the sixth inning on a Daniel Molinari solo home run to left field, his first of the season. 

San Rafael added one in the top of the seventh on a Johnson RBI double to bring them within two, 6-4. 

The Stompers offense exploded in the last of the seventh inning, adding two more home runs. Hubbard hit his second home run of the game to left center field, a three-run homer this time. Barfield followed with a three-run blast of his own to cap off the six-run seventh for the Stompers who jumped out to a 12-4 lead. 

Miles Williams made his 2019 debut on the mound in the top of the eighth inning but allowed six Pacifics runs, putting them right back in the game. Williams lasted only 2/3 of an inning and was relieved by Ryan Richardson who got Lunardelli to ground out and end the threat but the Pacifics were back in it 12-10. 

Jacob Cox entered in the top of the ninth inning to try and collect his second save of the season in as many tries. He gave up a solo home run to Dempster to lead off the inning but stranded the tying run at second base to secure the win and his second save.

The Stompers are back at Arnold Field Thursday and Friday night, first pitch at 6:05. 

HARTLEY TIES PACIFICS ASSOCIATION RBI RECORD IN 12-2 ROUT OVER SALINA

June 11, 2019

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers put up a dozen runs in an offensive explosion over the Salina Stockade in the first of a four-game home stand on Tuesday night at Arnold Field. 

Salina opened the scoring in the top of the second inning off of Stompers right-hander Nick Barnese (0-0). Barnese struggled with walks early in the ballgame and issued a bases-loaded walk to leadoff hitter Justin Byrd to drive in the first run of the game.  

The Stompers answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning on Brock Hartley’s second home run of the season over the right field wall, a two-run shot to give the Stompers a 2-1 lead. 

Hartley struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning when he drove in his third run of the game on a sacrifice fly to score Chris Kwitzer to extend the lead 3-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning the Stompers scored once again. This time on a two-out bleeding single up the middle off the bat of Bronson Butcher, his first RBI of the year, extending the lead to 4-1. 

Chip White (0-2) lasted six innings for Salina and was replaced by Erick Gaylord in the bottom half of the seventh inning who fared poorly. 

Gaylord lasted only two thirds of an inning, all while allowing an RBI single to Kwitzer and a three-run home run to Jacob Barfield, his third of the season, inflating the lead to 8-1. 

Adding to his already splendid night at the plate, Hartley ended his offensive night with an emphatic grand slam, his second homer of the game, on the first pitch he saw off of Ryan Doerr in the bottom of the eighth inning to blow the game wide open 12-1.  

Hartley ended his night with an exclamation as he took the hill in the top of the ninth. The Stompers emergency reliever allowed one run in his pitching debut as he led the club to a 12-2 win over Salina.

The Stompers are at Arnold Field Wednesday through Friday this week and it’s little league night every night. So bring your little leaguer out and watch Stompers baseball.  

STOMPERS PROMOTE D.J SHARABI TO CLEBURNE RAILROADERS

SONOMA, Calif. - The Sonoma Stompers have promoted right-handed relief pitcher D.J. Sharabi to the American Association’s Cleburne Railroaders. He will be joining former teammate and Pacific Association 2018 Rookie of the Year, Kenny Meimerstorf.

“We are thrilled for D.J. He’s been a vital member of our bullpen for three seasons and is worthy of this honor. We can’t wait to follow him with his former teammate Kenny,” GM Brett Creamer said.

Sharabi, a Millbrae, Calif. native, is in his fourth season of professional baseball. In 2018, he went 8-1 with a 2.45 ERA, collecting 149 strikeouts in 134 innings. The season before, Sharabi appeared in 25 games and 39.1 innings striking out 49 batters.

The San Jose State Spartan started his professional baseball career with the Great Bend Boom in the Pecos League in 2016.

In five games for the Stompers this season, Sharabi collected nine strikeouts in six innings pitched.

To purchase Stompers tickets and to find more information about the team, visit stompersbaseball.com, call us at (707) 938-7277 or send an email to info@stompersbaseball.com.

STOMPERS FINISH FIRST WEEK OF THE SEASON WITH WIN AT NAPA, END FIRST WEEK 4-3

June 8, 2019

NAPA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers brought their bats to the yard on a Saturday 1:05 start in Napa to conclude their first full week of the season slaughtering the Silverados 10-3.

The Stompers offense woke up right away against Napa right-hander Edward Perez (1-1) in the top of the first inning. Nick Gotta and newcomer Pedro Barrios led off the game with back-to-back singles and slugger Dondrei Hubbard drove in his 10th RBI of the season on a single to give the Stompers the early advantage.

The offense replicated their production in the top of the second inning with a solo homer by Miles Williams, his first of the year, to straight away right field, doubling the lead to 2-0.

The offense continued to produce in the top of the third inning when Hubbard hit a fly ball to center field which should have been caught for the first out but outfielders Jordan Garr and Nick Ultch ran into each other, allowing the ball to drop and Barrios to score, making it 3-0. Chris Kwitzer then made Napa pay for their mistake as he unloaded on a 2-2 fastball to right field for his second home run in as many days, extending the lead to 5-0.

The Stompers failed to score for the first time in the game in the top of the fourth innings but picked back up in the fifth. A walk to Rob DeAngelis opened the inning and was followed by a Hubbard RBI double to right field. Then, with two out, Brock Hartley drove in his fourth RBI of the year as the Stompers poured it on and led 7-0 after five innings.

Henry Omana (1-0) dazzled once again in his second start of the year and his second against Napa. The right-hander tossed five shutout innings while allowing just two hits and struck out five. Well on his way to securing his first win of 2019.

In the top of the seventh inning the Stompers scored three more times. This time on RBI singles from Hartley and DeAngelis, and with some help by an error on the shortstop Malvin Nunez.

Luke Laurita (1-0) kept the shutout alive for his two innings of work before giving way to the Stompers closer Jacob Cox (0-0).

Cox allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning but none were earned, solidifying the 10-3 victory.

The Stompers will have Sunday and Monday off before they return home for a four-game home stand next Tuesday through Friday at Arnold Field.