FOUR STOMPERS WIN GILDED GLOVE AWARDS

SONOMA, Calif-  The Sonoma Stompers are excited to announce that four players have been recognized as Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Gilded Glove winners for the 2019 season.

PITCHER - NICK BARNESE

First, is standout pitcher and former Tampa Bay Ryas 2007 third round draft pick Nick Barnese. Barnese has played nine years of professional baseball and one with the Sonoma Stompers. In 2019, the Semi Valley native provided veteran leadership among the pitching staff and entire ball club. Barense held a 7-1 win-loss record for the Stompers while also recording 73 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched. “He was a great competitor with great stuff. He works hard at his craft, he’s the guy you wanted with the ball during big games,” said Manager Zack Pace.

Sonoma Stompers second baseman Nick Gotta fielding a ground ball against the Napa Silverados. Photo - JW TOY III

SECOND BASE - NICK GOTTA

Second baseman Nick Gotta set a Pacific Association record with a .544 On-base percentage. His 84 walks tied former San Rafael Pacifics center fielder and current Sonoma Stompers manager Zack Pace with another Pacific Association record. “Gotta has determination and girt, one of the best seasons I’ve seen a lead-off hitter have, “ said Manager Zack Pace. The left handed hitter held a impressive .362 batting average and scored a Pacific Association best 71 runs.

THIRD BASE - CHRIS KWITZER

New York native Chris Kwitzer was named Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Gilded Glove winner. In 58 games, Kwitzer held a .309 average with nine home runs and 56 runs batted in. “He’s a professional in-and-out, who works hard and has a great mindset,” said Manager Zack Pace. The left handed hitter also scored 50 runs and recorded 14 doubles. After spending the 2018 season with four teams in three different Independent leagues, the University of Buffalo alumnus fit right in with the Sonoma Stompers during the 2019 season.

CENTER FIELD - DONDREI HUBBARD

Mayville State University alumnus Dondrei Hubbard has been named Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Gilded Glove center fielder of the year. Hubbard turned many heads when he homered in his first three professional games as a Sonoma Stomper. “ His athleticism and determination to work hard is what continues to make him great,” said Manager Zack Pace. Before joining the Lake Erie Crushers in late July, Hubbard was leading the Pacific Association with a batting average .364, home runs (16) and RBIs (55). “During spring training, he went from our back-up catcher to a platoon outfielder. By the start of the season, he was our starting center fielder. “His durability and power showed right away,” said General Manager Brett Creamer. “He continued to improve his craft and grow his mindset at the plate, which showed,” said Creamer. Hubbard, who was a two-sport athlete at Mayville State played both baseball and football. Hubbard split time as the teams starting punter and running back.

THANK YOU!

SONOMA, Calif-  In early September the Sonoma Stompers completed their sixth season in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. After falling short in the championship game, there was still many accomplishments to reflect on during the 2019 season.

Pitcher Cole Watts signing with the Kansas City Royals

In early June, Stompers reliever Cole Watts was signed by the Idaho Falls Chukars, Kansas City Royals Rookie Ball affiliate. Watts, who was fourth on the team in strikeouts would later win the 2019 Pioneer League championship with the Chukars. Among Watts, a total of eight Sonoma Stompers were promoted throughout the season, setting a Pacific Association record. The team didn’t miss a beat, going 45-19 including another regular season title.

Manager Zack Pace posing with a few fans during a community event this past Summer.

Over the Stompers six year tenure, the team now has a career record of 287-168 with a win % of .630. Reigning Pacific Association Manager of the Year Zack Pace collected his 100th professional managerial win this season, now having a career record of 102-42.

For the first time in team history, the Sonoma Stompers broadcasted 40 home games on local channel 27 and Sonoma Stompers YouTube. Partnering with KSVY Sonoma TV gave players from all teams within the league the opportunity to capture live game film for their playing resume. Team Broadcaster Forrest Hunt also spent his first season with the Sonoma Stompers, a Senior at Dominican College.

Sluggers Jacob Barfield and Dondrei Hubbard taking a photo with a fan

The Stompers also hosted their annual youth kids camp where over 30 participants were in attendance. The three day camp focused on leadership, fundamentals, and teamwork. The camp was led by Stompers players and coaches.

This season the Stompers hosted interns from all across the country. Including Washington, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, and California. “That’s what the Sonoma Stompers is all about. We present the opportunity for students and people from all across the county to gain experience first hand in the sports management and business field,” said General Manager Brett Creamer.

Former player and current Assistant General Manager Eddie Mora-Loera completed his first season in the Front Office. “2019 was a great success on and off the field. I’m looking forward to going into my second season with Brett and the rest of the team,” said Mora-Loera. Eddie led the organization in sales, community affairs, marketing and more.

In the fall of 2019, the team will be on the lookout for Pacific Association end of season awards which will be announced in the following months.

The Sonoma Stompers will now focusing on their fundraising efforts for the 2020 season while the league looks to put a schedule out by the end of the year.

STOMPERS HOLD ON TO EDGE OUT SAN RAFAEL 5-4 TO FORCE A WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME 2

SAN RAFAEL, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers traveled to San Rafael Saturday night in desperate need of a win as they trailed the best of 3 series 1-0. It was Nick Barnese and clutch hitting that forced a winner-take-all game 3 on Sunday night.

The Stompers offense was clicking right out of the gate against San Rafael starter Johnny Morell (2-2). With 1 out, Jacob Barfield lined a base hit to left-center field to get things started. Pedro Barrios followed with a base hit up the middle and Brent Gillespie walked to load the bases. Chris Kwitzer delivered with an RBI single to left-center to give the Stompers the first lead 1-0. 

The offense went back to work in the top of the 4th inning when Bronson Butcher worked a leadoff walk and Rob De Angelis doubled off the center field wall to knock Morell out of the game after just 3 innings. Jorge Gonzalez (0-1) entered the game to try and hold the Stompers. With 1 out in the inning, Barfield hit a sacrifice fly to right-center field to bring De Angelis home and extend the lead 2-0. 

In the bottom half of the 4th inning San Rafael answered. A 1 out single off Nick Barnese (7-1) put Corey Dempster on base. With 2 outs, Mike Annone hit his second home run of the postseason, tying the game 2-2.

The Stompers chased Gonzalez from the game in the top of the 6th inning after Butcher walked and De Angelis singled with 1 out. Michael Klein came out of the bullpen for San Rafael to face Rayson Romero.  On a 1-2 pitch, Romero launched a no-doubt blast to left field to out the Stompers out in front 5-2. 

Barnese tossed 5 innings while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and he struck out 9. 

Konner Arnold (7-5) was first out of the bullpen for manager Zack Pace. Arnold pitched a tremendous 3 innings in relief, allowing just 3 baserunners on 1 hit, bridging the cap to the 9th. 

Ryan Richardson (2-0) came in to attempt his 9th save of the year. Richardson had been lights out, not allowing an earned runs since when he gave up a home run in San Rafael on June 30th. in the bottom of the 9th, Montelongo singled to put a runner on trailing by 3. With 1 out, Raul Navarro hit a TaylorMade double play ball to Romero at shortstop which hit the lip and went over his head, resulting in a double and putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Peguero then double to right field to bring both runners home to make it a 1-run game, 5-4 but Peguero rounded first too far and was thrown out by Butcher for the second out. Richardson struck out Axel Johnson to secure his 9thsave and send us to a winner-take-all game 3 on Sunday at 6:05 at Palooza Park at Arnold Field. 

STOMPERS DROP GAME 1 OF CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TO SAN RAFAEL 8-5

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers awaited their opponent for the championship series on Friday night and for the 4th time in the last 5 years, it was San Rafael. The Pacifics have beaten the Stompers in 2 of the last 3 playoff meetings. 

Both starters looked unhittable through the first 3 innings, or was it the sputtering offenses. San Rafael jumped out to an early lead in the top of the 4th inning. After Vijay Patel (7-1) got a quick first out, he walked Yeiler Peguero and hit Axel Johnson. With 2 outs, Zane Gelphman drove in the pair with a single, putting San Rafael out in front 2-0. Another hit and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases and knocked Patel out of the game. 

Marshall Shill (1-0) was the first out of the bullpen for manager Zack Pace. Shill hit Montelongo with the bases loaded to bring in a 3rdrun in the inning and give the Pacifics a 3-0 lead. 

The Stompers responded in the bottom of the 5th inning against Justin Watland (3-0). A Bronson Butcher leadoff single and a 1-out walk by Nick Gotta brought they tying run to the plate. On a 1-0 pitch, Jacob Barfield launched a laser home run to left-center field, tying the game 3-3. 

After a clean inning from Jacob Cox (3-0), Lenny Gwizdala (0-2) came into the game in the 7th. After striking the first man out, Gwizdala got Peguero to pop up in between the mound and home plate. Miscommunication between Gwizdala and Butcher resulted in an error and Peguero reaching first base. Johnson then drove him in with a base hit to give the Pacifics a 4-3 lead. Gelphman added to the wound with a 2-run bomb to extend the San Rafael lead to 6-3. 

The Stompers answered right back with 2 in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI double by Brent Gillespie to score Pedro Barrios. Gillespie later scored on a bases loaded walk by Rayson Romero, inching the Stompers closer, 6-5.

In the top of the 9th inning San Rafael scored twice more with the help of 2 Stomper errors, extending the lead back out to 8-5.

The Stompers failed to make a comeback as they drop game 1 while stranding 13 baserunners.

Game 2 is at Albert Park in San Rafael on Saturday, August 31 at 5:00.

STOMPERS THUMP ADMIRALS IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE, 19-6

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers hosted the Vallejo Admirals on Monday night, a make-up game, as well as the final game of the regular season. The offense did not disappoint, putting 19 runs on the board in a one-sided victory to close out the year. 

Vallejo did strike first in the ballgame in the top of the 1st inning. against Ethan Gibbons (3-4), Vallejo designated hitter O’Koyae Dickson walked and Montrell Marshall doubled with 2 out to put 2 men in scoring position. Vlad Gomez singled them both home to give the Admirals and early 2-0 lead. 

The Stompers offense exploded in the bottom of the 2nd inning against Vallejo starter Harold Myles (1-0). Brent Gillespie opened the inning with a base hit. Miles Williams was hit by a pitch and Chris Kwitzer walked to load the bases. Bronson Butcher then drew an RBI walk to put the Stompers on the board 2-1. Rob DeAngelis then collected an RBI hit to tie the game 2-2. With 1 out, Nick Gotta hit a sacrifice fly to center to give the Stompers their first lead, 3-2. Jacob Barfield followed with a walk to load the bases again and Pedro Barrios was hit to bring in another run, making it 4-2. In Gillespie’s second plate appearance in the inning he walked to bring in a run and the fin al run of the inning scored on a wild pitch, capping off the 6-run 3rd inning to give the Stompers a 6-2 lead. 

In the bottom of the 3rd inning Bitcher worked his second walk of the game and DeAngelis immediately reached on catcher’s interference. With first and second, Rayson Romero lined a base hit into right-center to score Butcher as DeAngelis went to third, extending the lead 7-2. With runners at the corners and 1 out, Myles picked over to first base and the throw got passed Marshall, allowing DeAngelis to score and Romero to go all the way to third. Romero later scored on a passes ball as the Stompers led 9-2 after 3 innings of play. 

Gibbons only went 4 innings on 52 pitches while allowing just the 2 runs on 4 hits as he walked 1 and struck out 3. 

Konner Arnold (6-5) entered the game in the top of the 5th and Chevy Clarke rudely welcomed him with a solo homer, cutting into the lead 9-3. Later in the inning Tillman Pugh went deep to make it 9-4. 

The Stompers countered in the bottom half of the 5th inning with runs of their own. Gotta led off the inning with his 83rd walk of the season and with 1 out Barrios doubled to left center to put runners at second and third. Matt Hibbert, pinch hitting in Gillespie’s spot, tripled to left-center to clear the bases and extend the lead out to 11-4. With 2 outs Kwitzer tripled to right-center to bring Hibbert home and make it a 12-4 game. Kwitzer came in on an RBI single from DeAngelis, finishing the 4-run 5thto make the lead 13-4. 

Vallejo scored once in the top of the 6th on a Matt Eureste RBI hit to cut into the lead, 13-5. They also scored once more in the top of the 7th on a Ryan Cooper RBI walk to make it 13-6.

The Admirals, trailing by a bunch, sent outfielder Jacob Wark to the mound in the bottom of the 8th to save the bullpen for the playoffs as he made his first appearance of the season. Romero welcomed him with a no-doubt blast to left field, Romero’s 4thto make it 14-6. With 1 out Barfield walked, Barrios singled and Hibbert was plunked to load the bases. On a 1-0 pitch, Williams launched a no-doubt home run into the trees, his 15th, growing the lead to 18-6. The Stompers loaded the bases again in the inning, all on walks, and Gotta took his 84thwalk of the season to make it 19-6. With that walk, Gotta ties his manager Zack Pace for the most walks in a single season in the Pacific Association in 16 less games. 

The Stompers host game 1 of the Pacific Association Championship Series on Friday night at 6:05. 

NAPA WINS BACK-AND-FORTH CONTEST IN THE 9TH, 8-7

NAPA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers traveled to Napa to play the Silverados for the final time of the 2019 regular season. Napa went up early but the Stompers led from the middle innings until Napa walked of in the bottom of the 9th.

Napa got on the board first against Stompers starter Nick Barnese( 7-1). With 1 out, Dakota Conners singled and Nico Toni singled to put 2 men on. Nick Ultsch delivered an RBI double to left to give Napa the first lead. Josh Montelongo drove in another run on an RBI groundout, extending the Napa lead to 2-0. 

The Stompers were held off the board until the top of the 5th when Napa brought in their 3rd pitcher, Andrew Fuentes. Pedro Barrios welcomed Fuentes into the game by singling on the first pitch he saw. Brent Gillespie and Miles Williams drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Fuentes got a pair of strikeouts before Rob DeAngelis singled to put the Stompers on the board, but still trailing 2-1.Rayson Romero then singled home a pair, giving the Stompers a 3-2 lead. The 4th run of the inning scored on a wild pitch as the Stompers led 4-2 halfway through the ballgame. 

Napa got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Toni, cutting into the Stomper lead 4-3. 

The Stompers put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the 6th on a Chris Kwitzer 2-run bomb, snapping an 0-17 slump and extending the lead to 6-3. 

The Stompers extended the lead once more in the top of the 7th inning when Gillespie reached on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded to make it 7-3. 

In the bottom of the 7th inning Jacob Cox (3-0) came in to hold the lead. A pair of singles and a 2 out wild pitch strikeout loaded the bases for Montelongo who took Cox deep on the first pitch for a game-tying grand slam. 

With the game tied, Lenny Gwizdala entered the game to try and send it to extras. Napa loaded the bases on a hit and two walks. Austin Fitzpatrick ended the game on a pinch-hit walk-off single to left to lift the Silverados over the Stompers 8-7. 

The Stompers play their final regular-season game at home on Monday night against the Vallejo Admirals at 6:05. 

BENCHES CLEAR IN SAN RAFAEL, STOMPERS FALL 5-3

SAN RAFAEL, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers hit the road to take on the San Rafael Pacifics for the final time in 2019. The Stompers took an early lead, but sloppy defense and a San Rafael rally was too much for the Stompers to come back from. 

Nick Gotta led off the ballgame with a walk against San Rafael starter Justin Watland (3-0) and Jacob Barfield followed with a base hit. With one out, Brent Gillespie singled through the right side to bring Gotta home and give the Stompers a 1-0 lead. 

After a quick 2 outs in the top of the 2nd inning, Nick Kern and Rayson Romero worked back-to-back walks and Gotta doubled to double the lead, 2-0.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning Markus Montelongo and Chuck Rocker singled for San Rafael to put 2 runners on. Raul Navarro laid a bunt down and reached on a throwing error by Stomper starter Pat Barnett (1-2). On the error the first San Rafael run came in. A walk to Peguero loaded the bases with nobody out for Axel Johnson. On 1-2, Johnson hit a TaylorMade double play ball to Romero at shortstop when the ball hit the lip of the grass at the last second, bouncing over Romero for a 2-run single, giving San Rafael a 3-2 lead.  The fin al run of the inning scored on a Mike Annone sacrifice fly as the Pacifics took a 4-2 lead. 

Daniel Molinari led off the top of the 4thinning with his 4th home run of the season to right-center field, cutting the deficit to just 4-3.

San Rafael got their final run in the bottom of the 5th inning when Navarro hit a low line drive to center which Rob DeAngelis dove for but didn’t catch as it rolled all the way to the wall in center, allowing Navarro to come all the way around for an inside-the-park home run, making it 5-3. 

The Stompers got 3 scoreless innings from the bullpen but the damage was done as they fell to San Rafael 5-3.

The Stompers are off Saturday but are in  Napa on Sunday at 1:05.

STOMPERS COME FROM BEHIND LATE TO BEAT NAPA 6-4

NAPA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers began their 3-game weekend road trip in Napa on Thursday night. After trailing for the entire game, one big inning flipped the game around as the Stompers went on to beat the Silverados on a late-inning comeback. 

Napa took an early lead against Vijay Patel (7-1) in the bottom of the 1st inning when Dakota Conners tripled into left-center and scored on a wild pitch to give Napa a 1-0 lead. 

The Stompers offense got going against Napa starter Tre Hobbs (3-2) in the top of the 3rd inning. Rayson Romero got the first Stomper hit of the game with a single to center. He then stole second to put himself in scoring position. With 2 outs, Jacob Barfield lined a base hit to left, tying the game 1-1. 

Napa’s Conner’s led off the bottom of the 4th inning with a solo home run off Patel, giving Napa a 2-1 lead. A pair of RBI doubles by Ultsch and Montelongo extended the lead for the Silverados to 4-1. 

In the top of the 5th inning, after back-to-back strikeouts against Hobbs, the Stompers did it again with 2 outs. Nick Gotta singled and Barfield walked to put men at first and second. Pedro Barrios then singled to bring Gotta in, cutting the lead to 4-2. Brent Gillespie then doubled down the right field line to bring Barfield in as the lead was cut to just 4-3. 

Patel went 4 2/3 innings while allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and striking out 5. 

The Stompers finally knocked Hobbs out of the game after 5 1/3 innings, and took it to the Napa bullpen. 

In the top of the 8th inning,Miles Williams led off the inning reaching on an error by Montelongo at first base, and that was all it took to get the offense rolling. Rob DeAngelis singled and Bronson Butcher walked to load the bases with nobody out. Romero singled home 2 on a base hit to left to give the Stompers their first lead, 5-4. With 2 outs, Gotta singled home a run, extending the lead 6-4.

Jacob Cox (3-0) tossed a 1-2-3 8th, striking out a pair and Lenny Gwizdala collected his first professional save as he got out of a bases loaded jam in the 9th. 

The Stompers are 44-17 as they head to second place San Rafael for a Friday night showdown against a foe that the Stompers could possibly face in the Championship Series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30. 

VALLEJO HOMERS PAST STOMPERS, 6-2

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers took on the Vallejo Admirals on Wednesday night and fell to the Admirals for the first time this season at home.

Ethan Gibbons (3-4) started on the mound for the second consecutive time against Vallejo. Last time out he turned in a quality start. This time, Vallejo hit him around a bit.

O’Koyae Dickson, former LA Dodger, took Gibbons deep in the first inning to give the Admirals an early 1-0 lead. 

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Miles Williams reached against Jesse Remington (5-4) on a broken bat grounder to shortstop that Matt Eureste could not handle, resulting in an error. Williams stole second and with 2 outs scored on Rob DeAngelis’ base hit, tying the game 1-1.

The Stompers took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Daniel Molinari homered off Remington, his 3rd, to lead off the inning and putting the Stompers up 2-1. 

Vallejo answered back quickly in the top of the 4th inning. with 1 out, Tillman Pugh launched a solo home run, his 8th, tying the ballgame 2-2. Derke walked and Files knocked a base hit to right-center, setting the table for Ryan Cooper who drive Derke in with a hit to give Vallejo a 3-2 lead. Chevy Clarke followed with a hit, extending the lead 4-2. 

Nick Akins Sr hit his league-leading 20th bomb of the year with 1 out in the top of the 5th inning, growing the lead 5-2. 

In the top of the 6th, Cooper reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Clarke, making the score 6-2, where it stayed. 

The Stompers are on the road to finish out the weekend but are home Monday night at 6:05 against the Vallejo Admirals to finish out the regular season. 

STOMPERS SCORE 7 UNANSWERED RUNS TO COME FROM BEHIND AND BEAT SALINA 8-4

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers hosted the Salina Stockade for the final time in 2019 on Tuesday night. The Stompers trailed early but for the second straight game, a grand slam put them ahead in the middle innings.

Konner Arnold (5-5) took the mound for Zack Pace’s Stompers but he struggled throughout his start. Cody Bishop walked on 4 pitches against Arnold to open the ballgame and later scored on an RBI single by Cosimo Cannella to give Salina an early 1-0 lead. 

The lead extended in the top of the 2nd inning on a Kyle Ulanday 2-run home run, his 2nd, off the scoreboard in left center to give the Stockade a 3-0 lead. 

The Stompers offense finally got on the board against Salina lefty Ben Herrick (3-5) in the bottom of the 4th inning. Rob DeAngelis reached on an error by Rodriguez at first base on a ground ball that kicked into foul territory, allowing DeAngelis to go to second. With 1 out,Miles Williams and Pedro Barrios worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. With 2 outs, Rayson Romero walked to drive in a run and put the Stompers on the board 3-1. 

Salina got one back on an RBI double by Ryan Rodriguez to make it 4-1, knocking Arnold out of the game after just 4 innings in which he allowed 4 runs on 11 hits and 4 walks with just 1 strikeout. 

Marshall Shill (1-0) came into the game with a runner at second and nobody out and struck out the side. 

In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Stompers finally figured Herrick out. Nick Gotta led off the inning with a single and Jacob Barfield was hit by a pitch to put 2 runners on. Rob DeAngelis then looped a base hit down threw left field line to score Gotta and make it a 2-run game, 4-2.Chris Kwitzer worked a walk to load the bases for Williams to swung at the first pitch and launched a grand slam into the trees in left field, giving the Stompers their first lead of the game 6-4. With still nobody out, Barrios banged a single to left field before Herrick induced back-to-back strikeouts. With 2 outs now, Matt Hibbert walked to put men on first and second. Gotta, hitting for the second time in the inning, singled again to drive in Barrios but Bishop booted the ball in center, allowing Hibbert to score all the way from first, extending the lead 8-4. 

Jacob Cox (3-0) pitched the 6th, allowing one hit, one walk and he struck out the side. 

Spencer Backstrom came on to pitch for the Stompers in the top of the 7th, walking a pair and striking out a pair to stand a couple of runners. 

Lenny Gwizdala tossed a clean 8th, striking out a batter and giving way for Ryan Richardson (2-0) who did allow a hit but stranded the runner at third as he collected a pair of strikeouts as well as the Stompers come from behind to beat Salina 8-4.

The Stompers are home again on Wednesday night against the Vallejo Admirals at 6:05.