Stacy Piagno, Sonoma Stompers make history again

One of only 3 women to win in men’s pro league since 1950s|

Sonoma Stomper pitcher Stacy Piagno became one of just three women to earn a win in an American men’s professional baseball league since the 1950s as the Stompers pummeled the Pittsburg Diamonds, 16-1.

Piagno made her first start of the season on Saturday, pitching seven strong innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits. She set career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts in her third appearance of 2017.

“It’s always a thought in your mind, especially in our situation coming in here as a female, can I really be successful? Can I go deep in the game? I’m not just out here for a hoax.” Piagno said. “It proves to myself that, yes, all the hard work can pay off and, yes, I can be successful out here.”

The right-hander retired the second-place Diamonds in order in four of seven innings pitched and did not allow a run after the first. Pittsburg leads the Pacific Association in hitting.

Last season, Piagno and outfielder Kelsie Whitmore made the Stompers the first female teammates to play on a co-ed men’s professional baseball team since the 1950s.

“Being a role model for younger girls, that was something that I never had growing up,” Piagno said.

Whitmore started Saturday’s contest in left field behind Piagno and recorded her first hit of 2017.

“This was a great night for Stacy and a fantastic night for baseball,” said Stompers president and general manager Theo Fightmaster. “This was a start she’s been preparing for, and she validated the opportunity she was given. That was an incredible performance against a very tough lineup.”

Eddie Mora-Loera and Isaac Wenrich both had three hits on the night while Masa Miyadera knocked in four runs. Kevin Farley also reached base five times and recorded two hits, his first since June 20.

“The USA has an incredible baseball culture, but not to women in baseball yet. Like I said to the two girls, they’re going to be the icons of the game,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi said. “Coming here, pitching against guys who were in affiliated ball, playing pro ball like three years ago, it’s not easy, trust me… I’m just really proud of her.”

Sunday, the Stompers beat the Diamonds 7-1 behind another strong performance from starter Taylor Thurber in the final game of the first half on Sunday.

In his third start of the season, Thurber allowed six hits and issued just two walks in five innings pitched, holding the Diamonds to one run. He kept Pittsburg scoreless through the first four.

“Thurber competes every time he’s out there. His approach works too, which is really nice. When he’s on he’s on, and when he’s not, well, I haven’t been to that game yet,” said outfielder Marcus Bradley.

Activated Thursday, veteran Daniel Baptista scored Sonoma’s first run of the game on a deep home run to left field in the third.

“It feels amazing being back out there with the guys. I’m just trying to keep things simple, do the job at hand, be in the moment every day, every inning,” Baptista said.

An offensive outburst in the eighth sealed the win for Sonoma. The Stompers struck for five runs in the inning. Bradley drove in two of those runs with a bases-loaded knock to center.

Friday, despite Tyler Garcow’s 12 strikeouts in seven innings, the Stompers fell to the Diamonds in the first game of the weekend series, 2-0.

Both teams had only one hit apiece through four innings and Pittsburg scored the first run of the game in the sixth. The Stompers left 11 on base and recorded two hits to the Diamonds’ four. The low-offense affair stood in stark contrast to Thursday’s game, which saw both teams total 39 hits.

“Yesterday we scored 17 runs and baseball is a game where you can score no runs the next night,” Garkow said. “It’s a grind. It’s a long season. We just have to go out there and do the best we can every time.”

The Stompers improve to 28-11 on the season and finish the half in first place, while the Diamonds fall to 21-18 in second. Sonoma’s 28 first-half victories set both a league and franchise record.

The second half begins on Tuesday as the San Rafael Pacifics come to town for a three-game series Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All games start at 6 p.m.

If the Stompers also clinch the second half, they’re the outright champions.

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