Walnut Creek stomps Sonoma, ending two-game skid

Two walks, two hit-by-pitches, two errors, one passed ball and two hits encapsulated an eventful five-run fifth inning for Walnut Creek. After all the fanfare and the gutting loss on Friday, Saturday's performance showcased the dominant offense that Walnut Creek is capable of. 

The five-run fifth inning seemingly sealed the newest chapter of Saturday's rivalry matchup. Entering the fifth, Walnut Creek already led 6-3. Yet, the Crawdads didn't seem content with 11 runs. They wanted to make a statement. They tallied five more runs throughout the ensuing four innings thanks to two home runs, a single and a double. 

Walnut Creek's 16 runs scored marked its second-highest in conference play thus far, as they defeated Sonoma 16-7 in a clean performance from top to bottom. Walnut Creek managed to record 14 hits and committed just one error. On the flip side, its pitching staff did a better job of limiting walks, allowing only seven on Saturday. 

"I think the most important thing for us is when we get runners on, we have to get a base hit," Walnut Creek coach Brant Cummings said. "(Then) we can move them up to second and third, and then score them consistently. We'll have a really good chance of winning all these games, but we have to do that." 

On the bump, Crawdads' pitching made sure to come up big when needed. Left-handed pitcher Austin Billelo had his best outing of the season thus far. 

Billelo allowed two hits, his only two baserunners allowed in the game and struck out two in 2.2 innings pitched. For Billelo, who has had a lot of confidence, trusting his guys in the field and trusting himself were key parts in his success on Saturday's road stint against the Stompers. 

"It's just staying ahead," Billelo said. "Not getting behind in counts to guys. My goal today was no walks, so I feel like that helped. Just staying ahead and making them pitch the weak contact." 

After a prolonged sixth inning, in which an error was committed and a pop fly got lost in the sun, right-handed pitcher Alex Gomez came into the game with two outs and runners on the corners. Gomez immediately took care of business, striking out Sonoma outfielder Michael Jones on three pitches to stop the bleeding. 

Gomez would go on to finish the game, recording his longest outing of the year. For him, it's the fourth time he has gone three innings at minimum in an outing this season. Gomez allowed one hit and two walks the rest of the way through 3.1 innings. 

On the flip side of the diamond, hitting proved just as crucial. Every single hitter in Walnut Creek's lineup registered a hit. Two Walnut Creek hitters, catcher Riley Winchell and third baseman Aiden Robles, recorded multiple hits. 

Winchell notched arguably the best game of his season. He went 4-for-6 with a home run in the seventh inning. He tallied three RBI and scored twice. Winchell's four-hit day marks the first time he's recorded three or more hits in a game this season. 

Robles' day cannot be overshadowed, as for the second game in a row, he served an integral part. Robles went 3-for-5, with all hits being singles, one walk, a stolen base, one RBI and two runs scored. 

Designated hitter Sutter Moss hit a home run in the ninth inning and left fielder Brandon Clizbe made an impact in the game as well. The catcher and now outfield hybrid had positives with the bat, but his throw from left field to gun down a runner trying for home to make it a possible two-run ballgame in the fourth marked a huge momentum swing. 

With the bat, Clizbe went 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. Clizbe mentioned his mindset for the season. Even in games Clizbe has felt he's struggled in, coming prepared with that mindset is fitting, especially while donning a New Mexico 'Slay the Day' shirt. 

"Coming prepared with the energy," Clizbe said. "The boys are here for a dogfight every single game. We're coming for that first place, and we're riding with it." 

Walnut Creek will see Sonoma one more time in the regular season, although its next two matchups will be against Menlo Park. Walnut Creek will be back home for its first matchup against Menlo Park on Sunday, July 19, at 4:00 p.m. PDT.