The “Isotopes,” originally founded in 2001, have a long history of playing championship-caliber baseball. During their previous tenure with San Francisco NABA, they won an astonishing 10 championships including four straight from 2007-2010 and another three straight from 2013-2015.

 

Led by Head Coach Jono Stoval, the team decided to move down the Peninsula to take on the most competitive teams in all of Northern California. The Topes joined San Jose NABA in the Spring of ‘21 and ultimately became the 2022 D1 Summer League Champions.

 

 

“I knew last year was on the verge of becoming similar to our underachieving 2021 season,” says Stoval, referencing his 2021 squad that immediately took the league by storm with a perfect 20-0 regular season record, only to fall to the West Coast Legends in the semi-final round of the playoffs. 

 

Stoval, well known in the division for his strict and sometimes quirky leadership style, noted “I knew as a manager I had to do something and it started with the simple ask from our players to show up to the field with their baseball pants on. We needed our players to not waste valuable pregame time. That simple change helped our guys be more prepared to play.” 

 

Small changes in the team culture instantly translated onto the field, wiping out any disappointment of the failed 2021 run with a convincing championship victory in 2022. 

 

When asked what MLB team resembled The Topes style of play, “2004 Boston Red Sox - 100%. We had a similar vibe to them. We spent so much time away from the field that I knew something special was brewing.” 

 

 

 

For The Topes to run it back this year, they’ll need to dip back into Stoval’s unrivaled baseball acumen and unique style of discipline. They know the pressure is on them more than ever with 9 teams reloaded and gunning for the bragging rights of Division I League Champions. 

 

And because they are competing for another championship, Stoval holds the highest of standards for his team. There’s no room for a lack of hustle or loss of focus amidst Stoval’s company. 

 

Stoval admits that competition for playing time can be fierce. He also acknowledges that making those tough lineup decisions sometimes results in him not being every player’s favorite person in the dugout, “There are times during a season that I am sure some players have a deep disdain for me. They are also the same players who hug me when we reach the mountain top as the champs. It’s all about playing the game we all love.”

 

The Topes are still finding their identity and in an all too familiar position having fallen to the San Jose Cubs in week one and only scoring 7 total runs across two games in total. But Stoval reminds us that the season is a marathon, not a sprint.  

 

With star players like 2021 SJNABA Pitcher of the Year Andrew Preimesburger and 2022 SJNABA Pitcher of the Year Lucas Robinson leading the charge, Stoval knows he’s on solid ground.

 

 

Lucas Robinson, D1 2022 Pitcher of the Year

 

Do The Topes have what it takes to repeat? Will their vaulted starting rotation be enough to carry them back atop championship mountain? Only one thing’s for certain: the SJNABA D1 playoff competition will be one worth watching!