Stockton Ports open 2019 season with a win

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Chris Bassitt throws a pitch during the season opener.
Chris Bassitt throws a pitch during the season opener.

The Stockton Ports jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and held on for a 4-1 win on opening night at Stockton Ballpark in front of 3,006 fans. 

Alfonso Rivas hit a two run double to the give the Ports a 2-0 lead and then Jeremy Eierman followed with a two run home run to make it 4-0.

“I look forward to baseball season because my four-year old Abel Garcia has so much fun at the Ports games,” said Jalyne Dickson. “ It seems like it’s a whole new team this season and it’s nice to see them win.”

Sitting in one of the luxury boxes with his girlfriend Vee Kitiev, Bradley Gallion said he was excited for the game and how it was a perfect night for the season opener.

Stockton Ports mascot Splash helps keep the children entertained and the kids love him.

The game day staff kept the crowd entertained and involved in the game.

“This is my second season working for the Ports, I love baseball, I have been around it forever, it’s been crazy working here but it looks like it’s going to be a good season,”  said Ashley Apel.

Another returning employee echoed the sentiment.

“It feels amazing working behind the scenes, the fans are so pumped and it’s really good to see all the season ticket holders again,” said Michelle Poser.  

With opening night being such an important night for the team and the community, Tom Volpe, owner of the Ports team for 16 years, said he always felt great about opening night.

“We got some good players,” he said.

Volpe called Banner Island Ballpark the “nicest ballpark in the north California league.”

While he is from San Francisco and doesn’t make it to every game, he does go to a few during the year. Volpe said. “it’s better in the summer, all of the games are fun although Friday and Saturday tend to be bigger crowds”.

The Stockton Ports team has two new and improved slides for the children and some more table tops and chairs.

Ports Manager Webster Garrison said the game was a good start to the season.

“As a team we swung bats very well, pretty well defense and pitchers kept us in all night,” said third baseman Jonah Bride.

In Stockton on a Major League rehab assignment pitcher Chris Bassitt pitched three perfect innings with seven strikeouts.

Daulton Jefferies picked up the win as he pitched three innings and allowed just one hit.

The Stockton Ports play 70 home games from April – September and the schedule of its remaining home games can be found on stocktonports.com.