Sonoma County Hangs On in Ninth to Beat Vigilantes

Although the Vigilantes put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth, Sonoma County escaped with an 8-6 victory in a Western League game Thursday at Saddleback College.

Trailing, 8-5, the Vigilantes (2-4) loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on singles by Tracy Edmonson, Brad Gennero and Alan Burke, who had three hits.

Manny Gagliano hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Edmonson, but Sonoma County’s Tim Gower got a strikeout and fly ball to earn the save.

Sonoma County’s Todd Pridy hit a three-run home run in the seventh to give the Crushers an 8-4 lead. Teammates John Bess and David Mowry hit first-inning home runs off losing pitcher Mike Smith, who gave up four runs in the first inning.