Stompers Go 1-1 in the First Doubleheader of the Season

Story written by Stompers intern Ryan Giacomini

Yesterday, the Sonoma Stompers hosted the Solano Mudcats in a doubleheader. The game on Friday was postponed due to lack of umpires. Both games Saturday were seven innings long.

In the first of the two games, the Stompers would come victorious in a 4-2 ball game. The game would get off to a very slow start as neither team would score until the 5th inning.

In the top half, the Mudcats would score one on an error by Sonoma but the Stompers would immediately respond in the bottom half as both Alex Leopard and Cameron Jowaiszas would pick up RBI’s on sacrifice flies.

The scoring didn’t stop there as the Mudcats again scored in the top of the 6th inning to tie the ballgame up. Connor Blough would step into the batter's box with a runner on first and untie the game with one swing of the bat as he sent it high and deep over the right field wall for a two-run home run to give the Stompers the lead and never looked back. 

Orlando Leon was phenomenal on the mound and would receive the win for the game. Tucker McEnroe would also have a great performance going 3-3 with a stolen base.

Game two would also get off to a slow start but in the top half of the third, the Mudcats would get rolling scoring two runs on two Stompers errors. They would hold the Stompers scoreless in the bottom half.

In the fourth inning, the Mudcats would pick it right back up and score two on an RBI single from Tassos Foster but the Stompers would get one of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a Mikey Bell base knock.

Going into the sixth, the Stompers trailed 4-1 and needed some late inning heroics to win the game and yet again, Mikey Bell would answer the call as he would drive in Jowaiszas for the 2nd run of the game for the Stompers. They now trailed by just two going into the seventh inning.

Mudcats first baseman Cole Santanderwould suck all the life out of the Stompers as he’d hit a two run blast on the first pitch of the at bat to give Solano a now 6-2 lead.

The Stompers would try to fight back in the bottom half as they scored one on a Tucker McEnroe single and then they had the tying run at the plate with two outs but would fall short. The Mudcats would take the second game of two with the final score being 6-3.

Today, the Stompers take on the West Coast Kings at Arnold Field as they look to pick up their 11th win of the season. First pitch is slated for 7:05pm.

Stompers pick up a dominant win over Prune Packers, 10-3

Story written by Stompers intern Sam Basich

On Wednesday July 6, coming off of a brutal 9-1 loss on Monday against the Novato Knicks, The Sonoma Stompers (8-17) hosted the CCL powerhouse Healdsburg Prune Packers (18-4).

Zach Garcia the tall, hard-throwing left hander started on the mound for the Stompers, and after giving up one run on a fielder's choice hit by Packer left fielder Blake Burke, he was pretty much flawless. Letting a couple of runners reach base in multiple innings, that would be the sole small flaw along with the one run in Garcia’s night. Garcia was a strikeout machine, striking out seven Prune Packer batters and getting the count in his favor with almost every batter he faced in his 5 inning outing. The Prune Packers entered this game with eight batters hitting over .320, a stat that Garcia clearly shrugged off prior to taking the mound.

Brady Routon would also pitch a fantastic few innings for the Stompers, throwing a one run two innings, getting the Prune Packers to pop out with impeccable pitching placement.

For the Packers, Caden Noah, pitcher from the university of Texas, graced the mound at Arnold Field to begin the ballgame. 

His outing did not share the same characteristics as Garcia, pitching only one-and-two-thirds innings before getting the plug pulled on his night.  The first inning wasn’t bad for Noah, able to escape giving up multiple runs forcing the Stompers to strand two. However the Stompers did tie up the ballgame, on a ground out into a fielder's choice by third baseman Mikey Bell. In the second, Jack Gallagher picked up an RBI, also by way of the fielder's choice, but kept reading as that was far from his only RBI of the night.

Noah Rennard then came on to pitch for the Packers, and that’s when everything started to go right for the Stompers, on the other side of a lopsided game after the rough game just two nights prior. Rennard came on with runners on 2nd and 3rd for Sonoma, bringing designated hitter Davis Cop to the plate. Cop laid down the law, singling to center field and picking up an RBI in the process. The very next batter, Mikey Bell, hit a bloop single down the line, bringing Cop around to score making it a 4-1 ballgame after just three innings of play.

In the fourth, Jack Gallagher was able to pick up right where he left off hitting the ball, scorching a double down the line. This cleared the bases, and replicated the insurance brought the inning before, leaving the score at 7-1 after four.

With Garcia’s dealing being furthered, the Stompers would come up again in the fifth to extend their lead even further. This they were able to do, three straight walks loaded the bases for the hot hitting Alex Gouveia. Gouveia came through in a big way, scoring two on a double to left-center. Two batters later, Connor Charpiot brought in one more on a deep sacrifice fly. So the Stompers lead was up to 10-1, staying that way up until the seventh. 

In the seventh, the Packers tried to put a rally together, only able to come away with one run after a single by CF Jake Holcroft, which was one of his three hits on the evening. A baserunning mistake by pinch hitter Sam Brown would leave the Packers stranding a couple as we headed to the 8th. 

The last run for the Packers and of the ballgame came when the Packers took home plate on a passed ball by Stomper reliever Garret James. Despite the bases being loaded, the Packers would find no way to bring any more across, stranding three more in the 8th. 

Fantastic pitching by Zach Garcia and tactical hitting by Alex Gouveia and Jack Gallagher had the Stompers looking like a completely different team on Wednesday picking up their ninth win of the season..

After playing the Packers tomorrow, this time at their place, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Stompers are back at Arnold Field for back to back matchups with the Solano Mudcats and a game against the West Coast Kings. 

Stompers fall to Potters Sunday Night

Story written by Stompers intern Sam Basich

Sonoma, CA

Serving as the prequel to our Fourth of July event, Sunday night, the Lincoln Potters (18-11) trekked down to Arnold Field to face the Sonoma Stompers (8-15).

So far this season, the Stompers have matched up decently with the Potters, going 2-3 in their five matchups this far. 

This one looked to be a low scoring pitching battle, as great innings came from both Stomper starter Noah Larkin, striking out 2 in his first inning on the mound and Potter starter Nick Dugan, who was able to do the same to the scorching hot center fielder Alex Leopard as well as Stomper catcher Colton Lomanto. 

In the second inning, the Potters racked up their second double of the game, with Chase Weissenborn hitting a ground rule double over the left-center field wall. Stomper catcher Colton Lomanto would halt the Potter fun, tossing a strike to Mikey Bell at third and catching Weissenborn trying for third on a stolen base. 

Despite holding the Stomper first three to little action in their first at bats, this would not last into their second at bats, with shortstop Alex Goveia bringing right fielder Tucker McEnroe in to score on a hard hit single past the gap between shortstop and third base. This came after a walk by McEnroe and a single by Bell to begin the inning. This left the Potters with a 4-1 lead through three.

The fourth was off to a rough start and stayed that way for the Stomper defense, with Potter 1st baseman JT Waldon starting the inning with a single after doubling in his first at bat. Following a couple more Potter baserunners after a walk and a single, the bases were loaded with one out, putting starter Noah Larkin in a tough spot. Second baseman Garen Canfield silenced Stompers fans, smacking a grand slam over the left center field wall, delivering the Potters a commanding 4-1 lead, one they never looked back from. The Stompers would fail to bring any runs back, digging themselves into a hole entering the fifth inning of play.

Colton Lomanto caught a second Potter base runner stealing for the second out of the top half of the fifth inning. But the ever dangerous Potter 1st baseman JT Waldon would add a triple to his double and single already in the ballgame, getting into scoring position with two out in the inning. After an awful Stomper communication error on a pop fly barely in fair territory, Waldon would come in to score, making the score 5-1 after 5 innings of play. 

The Stompers would fight, with a series of singles in the fifth, only to have their dreams of inching a run closer destroyed by a great play in the form of a double play turned pretty much single handedly by Potter pitcher Nick Dugan, continuing his amazing game. 

The score would stay at 5-1, with both squads unable to find green despite putting the ball in play in the 6th. 

The Potters put the icing on the cake in the 7th, loading the bases with nobody out for the third baseman Trey Furrey. Furrey capitalized on this opportunity, nearly clearing the bases and bringing two more runners in to score and making the score 7-1. But the Potters weren’t done, adding one more in the inning after a ground out into a fielder's choice brought JT Waldon in to score (who also would add their 9th run with an rbi single), extending the Potter lead to 7 runs at 8-1. The Stompers again were unable to answer in the bottom half of the inning.

Finally, in the 8th inning the Stompers would score their second run of the ballgame, as a single to left center by Colton Lomanto brought in Alex Goveia to make the score 9-2 Potters. Looking to keep the rally going, a chopper by Stomper 2nd baseman Josh Medina brought the third run across, as Colton Lomanto came in to score. The ballgame was now 9-3 with runners at the corners and nobody out. Tucker McEnroe was then able to bring the runner at third home, grounding out into a fielder's choice with one out in the inning, bringing the Stompers within 5. The fun would end here though, with Mikey Bell’s groundout concluding the inning. 

9-4 is where the Ballgame would conclude. A four hit night by JT Waldon and stellar pitching by Nick Dugan kept the Potters comfortably in the lead for the greater part of this ballgame.

The Potters take this win back home with them to play tomorrow night  against the Walnut Creek Crawdads at Mcbean Stadium in Lincoln. 

Tune in tonight for a 4th of July Special night at Arnold Field, with fireworks, food and loads of fun as the Stompers look to bounce back in their first matchup of the Summer with the Novato Knicks at 5 pm. 

4th of July celebrations

Monday is 4th of July and we have plenty of activities for you! The Sonoma Stompers and Sonoma Fit will be in the 4th of July parade. The Parade begins at 10am winding its way around the town’s historic Plaza. After the parade, enjoy an old-fashioned festival with food, drink and game booths by Sonoma’s non-profit organizations. All proceeds raised from the festival benefit Sonoma’s nonprofit community.

Then, come watch the Stompers take on the Novato Knicks at 5:10pm at Arnold Field! Purchase your tickets here!

After the Stompers and Knicks do battle, be sure to stick around for postgame fireworks! Bring your blanket so you can watch from the outfield grass!

Stompers play stellar defense and make big-time pitches in win over Mudcats

Story written by Stomper intern Sam Basich

Sonoma, CA

Friday, the Solano Mudcats (8-12) reversed roles after their home loss on Monday, traveling to Arnold field to face the Sonoma Stompers (7-13).

The first runner to reach base for either team was Alejandro Lara, reaching on an error single to give the Mudcats their first base runner. The next batter, catcher Trey Topping, roped a single to right field, placing runners at first and third with two outs. The “beer batter” of the night, Cole Santander, changed the narrative in his first at bat, mashing an RBI single, creating a 1-0 early Mudcat lead.

The Stompers marched right back, however, as center fielder Alex Leopard continued his hit hitting streak with a lead off triple to right center field, turning on the wheels to beat a high relay throw to third. Leopard wasn’t done running, looking like a cheetah as he slid through home plate to nod the game up at one. The Stompers first four were far from done though, as catcher Colton Lomanto’s single would give 1st baseman Jack Gallagher the opportunity to give the Stompers the lead. “Gally” went above and beyond, driving a ball over the left field wall to give the Stompers a first inning 3-1 lead. 

The second inning was one leaving Stompers fans confused on how to feel, as despite giving up one run, they avoided a multitude of hits on great strategic pitching by starter Kyle Dickey. After two base runners for the mudcats to begin the inning,shortstop Alex Goveia made an unbelievable play to save a base hit. A double play would be the result. But the defensive rally would be halted, when center fielder Kenny Decelle pulled a ball down the line to score one Mudcat base runner and leave the bases loaded for catcher Trey Topping. But the Mudcats would strand 3, with Dickey drawing a strikeout to end the inning. The Stompers would go quietly in their half of the third.

The third and fourth innings went by in a flash, with the Stompers and Mudcats stranding one base runner a piece in each of the innings leaving the score at 3-2 as the inning came to a close. 

Kyle Dickey would roll through the 5th inning, striking out two batters and getting help from Mikey Bell in the form of an outstanding play at third base. 

The Stompers failed to add any insurance in the 5th, despite a couple of stolen bases by the on base machine, Alex Leopard. 

The 6th inning had the fans of both teams on their toes, as Kyle Dickey began the inning with two quick outs, however this took a turn for the worse. Back to back singles and a walk loaded the bases for the mudcats, with the dangerous Kenny Decelle stepping up to the plate. Decelle, despite bringing one in to score earlier in the game, would fail to repeat, grounding out to end the inning. The Stompers, again, went quietly in the sixth.

The action resumed in a great way in the seventh with the mudcats striking first. Back to back singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out for the Mudcat shortstop Tyler Bossetti. 

Bossetti capitalized in a big way with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Alejandro Lara from third base. Outstanding relief pitching by Garrett James would keep the game at bay, leaving two Mudcats stranded on the base paths.

After stretching in the middle of the seventh, the Stompers came out loose and ready to rock. Davis Cop singled to right, sending the third baseman Mikey Bell to second with nobody out. One out later, the Stompers would load the bases after Alex Leopard was hit by a pitch. In a strange way to take the lead, the Mudcat pitcher, Collin Madeiros, balked a run across, surrendering the lead to the Stompers, a lead they would never get back. That same at bat, Alex Goveias' pop out into foul territory would end in an RBI, with Davis Cop barely sliding safely into home plate. But the Stompers would add some much needed insurance, taking a 5-3 lead through seven.  

The 8th inning was the last line of offense for the Mudcats, giving it their best shot to tie up or take the lead heading into the final inning of play. The rally began with a lead off double by third baseman Jaden Jones followed by a one out single by Decelle. After an Alejandro Lara walk, the bases were loaded as Brady Routon came on to get out of the jam. After hitting the Mudcat catcher, Trey Topping, Routon got back on track, getting a double play ball that kept the Stomper lead at 5-4. 

This is how the ballgame would end, with both teams going down quietly in the ninth. A big Friday night CCL win for the Stompers, and their second in just five days against the Mudcats, starting to get their number.

Today, July 2nd, the Stompers travel to Monte Vista High School to take on the Walnut Creek Crawdads, a team that has fared well thus far. The Mudcats head home, just for the night, before heading to Lincoln in the morning to play the Potters. 

We’re back here at Arnold Field on Sunday and on Monday for 4th of July fun, so be sure to get your tickets at http://www.stompersbaseball.com/buytickets

Stompers drop contest to Crawdads

The Stompers ended their two-game win streak in league play as their offense stalled in an 8-3 loss to the Walnut Creek Crawdads. 

In the first inning, both teams were able to produce early rallies. From the first pitch, the Crawdads were swinging for the fences. A lead-off double and a walk set the stage for a three-run bomb from Brian DuRoff. Stompers pitcher, Daniel Smith, was visibly frustrated with himself, but he would look to settle into the game.

The Stompers looked to quell the frustrations of Smith in the bottom half of the inning. Both Alex Leopard and Alex Gouveia provided back-to-back singles to put the Stompers in business. Colton Lomanto's sacrifice fly knocked in Leopard and put the Stompers on the board. Due to Gouveia's alert base running, he put himself in position for Tucker McEnroe's groundball to allow him to score. After just one inning, the score was 3-2, in favor of the Crawdads.

Daniel Smith would settle in, as he would provide two more innings for the Stompers. Crawdads pitching, however, would surrender a run in the bottom of the third. Leopard would get on base again with a walk to start the rally. After a ground ball from Gouveia and a wild pitch, Leopard found himself at third base. An error from the third baseman resulted in Leopard scoring, and the game was now tied.

The following inning, the Crawdads responded. With Smith out of the game, Hayden Crews was called to the mound. He gave up a four-pitch walk to start the inning, but the devastating blow was a two-shot blast from Taiwan Corio that broke the tie and gave the Crawdads a 5-3 lead. 

Crews walked his third batter to begin the fifth inning, and surrendered a single before he was replaced by Maxx Castellucci. Another walk was awarded to a Crawdad batter, and the bases were loaded. A single and a sacrifice fly pushed the Stompers deficit to 7-3

In the seventh inning, the Crawdads strived to put the game away. Two consecutive singles off of Christian McInerney put runners at second and third with no outs. After a wild pitch, and an error from third baseman Michael Bell, the Crawdads increased the lead to 8-3, and that would be the final score. 

Aside from the early inning fireworks, the Stompers' offense could not generate any offense. Mustering only four hits, a majority of their base runners were walking batters. 

The Stompers will look to move on from this loss when they face the Potters in Lincoln tomorrow night at 6:35 on the Stomper Radio Network.

Stompers fall in well-played game to Riptide

Story written by Stomper intern Sam Basich

Sonoma, CA

Today, the Orange County Riptide (6-5) traveled for the second time in three days to Arnold Field for an attempt at a repeat victory against the Sonoma Stompers (6-9).

The Riptide, unlike the last outing with the Stompers, had a rough start that led to rough games from their three lead off hitters, including an 0-5 performance from lead off hitter, Shane Taylor. However, two consecutive walks would leave two runners stranded for the Riptide in the first. The Stompers would start in similar fashion, stranding one runner in the form of Alex Goveia, who singled for the first of three times in the first inning. 

Ironically, the “wine whiffer” of the night, Brandon Burckel, swung at the first pitch he saw from Stomper starter, Noah Larkin, sending the ball cowering over the bleachers in left field. The Stompers would be unable to answer in the second, leaving two stranded after a rough fielding error by the Riptide.

But Alex Goveia would continue his consistency of reaching base, adding his second single and getting around to 3rd base to give 1st baseman Jack Gallagher an RBI opportunity. Gallagher, however, would let Goveia get dirty, as the speedy second baseman would steal home to tie the game up at one through three innings of play. 

In the 4th, the Riptide unleashed, as a bases loaded, nobody out situation would lead to a sacrifice fly by catcher Nathan Smith, followed by a one out, two-run double to extend the Riptide lead from 2-1 to 4-1. The rally would not be over though, as the Riptide would add one more on a fielder's choice groundout by Taylor. 

Not leaving the inning without a fight, the Stompers would get one run back. Following a lead off double by right fielder Tucker McEnroe, Lomanto would waste no time bringing him across, smoking a double down the line to make it a 5-2 ballgame. 

After back to back lead off singles in the 5th, the Riptide would fail to bring the runners across, after a huge defensive stand by the Stompers. The momentum gained on the defensive side would carry over to the bottom half of the fifth, with center fielder Alex Leopard walking, then Alex Goveia adding his third and final hit of the night, pushing Leopard to third base. Mikey Bell was able to bring Leopard in to score, grounding into a fielder's choice. This would make it a 5-3 ballgame after five innings of play.

The 6th inning went by in a flash, with multiple runners left on base by both the Riptide and the Stompers, with continued strikeout troubles for both teams. The Stompers threw a lineup of left pitchers at the Riptide, getting three-and-two-thirds  innings from Noah Larkin, a bit of work from Daniel Morehead, a couple innings from Jack Cazin, Christian McInerney and Zach Garcia as well. 

The seventh would bring both hope and dismay to Stompers fans, with the Stompers surrendering one more run to the Riptide, coming in the form of a two out fielding error by Gallagher. 

The hope would strike again, with Alex Leopard going from first to third on an infield groundout by Alex Goveia, sliding into third. Leopard wouldn’t need to slide again, stealing home plate with ease, pouncing on a passed ball thrown by Riptide pitcher Thomas Di Landri. The struggles of Gallagher would continue, as a groundout would leave another runner stranded for the Stompers heading into the final two innings of play. The score, 6-4 Riptide.

The 8th inning began in disappointment for the Stompers, ending in the same depressing fashion. A lead off error double by Riptide right fielder Nathan Manning would cease to threaten the Stompers, as a tremendous strike em’ out, throw em’ out double play by pitcher Zach Garcia and catcher Colton Lomanto would yet again bring a new life to the Stomper offense in the bottom half of the 8th. 

Another huge hit would come off the bay of Tucker McEnroe to start the 8th, ending in a tough baserunning error as McEnroe attempted to run home on a Colton Lomanto single. This would be the last sign of life for the Stompers, with the Riptide shutting the door on any run scoring opportunities in the ninth.. 

Tune in Monday as the Stompers travel to Fairfield to take on the Solano Mudcats, a team they have battled with in multiple outings. The Riptide continue their road trip Sunday with a game against the Walnut Creek Crawdads, looking to continue racking on wins before they head back south.

Charpiot's two homer game is not enough for Stompers

Story written by Stompers intern Ryan Giacomini

Friday, the Sonoma Stompers hosted the Arroyo Seco Saints from Pasadena, California. 

The Saints would strike first in the top of the second inning and the Stompers would never be able to regain the lead. The final score was 7-4 in favor of the Saints. 

Cooper Harris would get it going for the Saints with an RBI double in the second and then Matthew Wong would hit a two-run home run in the third inning to make the score 5-0 after three.

In the fifth, the Stompers would cut the lead down to three thanks to a Connor Charpiot two-run home run. 

The Saints would get those two runs back in the seventh and eighth inning and make the score 7-2 going into the ninth inning.

With two outs in the ninth, the Stompers had almost lost all hope but Charpiot would hit another two-run home run to cut the lead to just three runs. Although the good fight, the Stompers would end up falling short.

Charpiot would finish an explosive 2-4 with two home runs and all four Stomper RBIs.

Tomorrow the Stompers take on the Orange County Riptide at 6:05. Tomorrow is Autism Awareness night at Arnold Field. Tickets for tomorrow's game can be purchased at stompersbaseball.com.

Stompers notch win over Crawdads

Story written by Stompers intern Isaac Sullivan

Sonoma, CA

Stompers pick up the win as they improve to 6-8 overall on the season and 3-7 in CCL play. A great start for this week's four game homestand as the Stompers hope to win their way out of last place in their division. 

Continuing an early pattern this summer, the Stompers built an early lead. Jackson Castillo ignited the offense with a lead-off single in the first inning, and after Alex Gouveia walked, Dakota Duffalo was able to bring in both runners for an early 2-0 lead.

The Crawdads, however, responded in the following inning. After Stompers pitcher, Daniel Smith, gave up a pair of walks, Crawdads' shortstop Matt King was able to single in both runs to tie the game.

In the fourth inning, the Stompers would retake the lead. Davis Cop led off the inning with a thunderous solo blast, his first homerun of the summer. Connor Charpiot walked, Rees Kent singled, and Justin Durflinger's ground ball allowed Charpiot to add an insurance run that gave the Stompers a 4-2 lead.

The following inning, Gouveia started the frame with a single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Noah Rabin singled and Gouveia crossed the plate as Rabin advanced to second due to an errant entry throw from the Crawdads' right fielder. Cop would strike again at the plate with a single that allowed Rabin to grow the lead to 6-2.

The sixth inning would be a struggle with the Crawdads looking to tie the game. After three consecutive singles, the Crawdads had the bases loaded with no outs. A walk given to the following batter forced in a run, and pitcher Daniel Morehead was called to clean up the mess. Morehead would not allow a hit, but the Crawdads still found a way to cut the deficit to 6-5. 

For the remaining innings, the game would become dominated by excellent pitching. No more runs crossed the plate, and the Stompers held on to the 6-5 lead. 

The Stomper will face the Orange County Riptide tomorrow night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05.

Stompers Fall Short, Despite Rally in the Middle Innings

Story written by Stompers intern Ryan Giacomini

Sonoma, CA

Yesterday, the Sonoma Stompers traveled to Healdsburg to take on the Healdsburg Prune Packers, the second matchup between these teams this season. 

In this game, the Prune Packers would get home quickly as they would score 7 runs in the first two innings. Three of those runs were from Braydon Runion who hit a three-run home run. Runion would finish the game with 4 total runs batted in.

The Stompers would fight and claw their way back as they would score five of the next six runs in the game. Jackson Castillo would hit a solo homerun in that stretch, to continue his great season, and Lomanto would amass three RBI’s on two hits.

After the top half of the 6th, the Stompers had brought the deficit from seven to now just three but in the bottom half of the six, the Prune Packers would score 5 more runs, two of which came from walks with the bases loaded.

From there, we would have three straight scoreless innings from both teams. Dakota Duffalo pinch hit for the Stompers in the ninth, his first at bat since his hamstring injury last week, and made solid contact with the ball for a basehit.

The final would be 13-5 in favor of the Healdsburg Prune Packers. The Stompers record falls to 5-8 and the Prune Packers are now 9-2.

The Stompers have four straight home games, starting today, June 22, and Saturday will be Autism Awarness Night at Arnold Field. The Stompers will host the Orange County Riptide on Thursday and Saturday, as well as the Arroyo Seco Saints on Friday. Tickets for the home stand can be found here.