Sonoma Stompers re-sign Stacey Piagno

The Sonoma Stompers made history last summer with the signing of two female players on July 1. Pitcher Stacy Piagno took the mound as a starting pitcher while left fielder Kelsie Whitmore took the field behind her.

In the process, the Stompers became the first coed baseball professional baseball team in more than 50 years. Piagno will look to continue to blaze a trail for women in baseball once again this season.

The right-hander has agreed to terms on a contract, and will once again take the mound in Sonoma for her second season.

“Having Stacy back on the team this year is fantastic,” Assistant General Manager Jen Ramos said. “As a member of the Stompers, Stacy offers value as a player and as a representative of the larger message of diversity and inclusion we believe is necessary for the growth of the sport.”

The St. Augustine, Florida, native appeared in eight games as a pitcher with three starts in 2016. Piagno also made six plate appearances and started one game at first base. Piagno will look to build on her experience as a rookie to be a strong contributor in 2017.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Stompers again this season. Last year everyone was so supportive, and I was able to gain a lot of great pitching advice,” Piagno said. “I have been working hard to perfect it, and I am looking forward to growing even more as a player.”

Piagno is also a member of the National Women’s Baseball team and competed in the Women’s World Cup in South Korea last fall. Piagno appeared in three games with two starts in 10 innings for the US. Piagno struck out 13 batters in those innings and finished 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA. Piagno also became the first pitcher in the history of US Women’s baseball to throw a no-hitter in the 2015 Pan American games in a 9-0 win over Puerto Rico.

The Stompers begin their 2017 season on June 2 against the Pittsburg Diamonds. Season ticket packages are now available on stompersbaseball.com. Single game tickets will go on sale on April 22 at the inaugural Stompers Fan Fest at the Fan Shop located at 234 W. Napa St. in Sonoma.