Honolulu, HA -- The Tropics season got a great start for the 1998 season and they've already had a milestone celebrated. All's well in the clubhouse and General Manager Josh Cornel even let himself relax a little bit after a relatively hectic winter. The Tropics finished the first week of the season, posting a 4-4 record. The Tropics won their first game, which, if you ask any player, is a good sign for the rest of the season. Starting Pitcher Freddy Bilbao had this to say after the first game of the season, "If you get off on the right foot, it bodes well for the team and brings everyone up a bit. It was a great feeling to go out there and get a win and get the Tropics off to a good start. We just need to continue playing ball, playing hard and I'm sure the wins will come."
April 01
Hawaii 4, Valencia 2
Opening day was upon us and the Tropics got to start the 1998 season at home, Freddy Bilbao started the game and was lights out through 8 IP, allowing only 4 hits, 1 run and struck out 9 stars. The three biggest bats for the Tropics each had homeruns, including David Smurf, Robb Wells, and Robin Larker. The game was 4-2 in the 9th when Tropics pitcher Leo Lopez came in, gave up 1 run on 2 hits and called it good, recording his 1st save of the game.
April 02
Hawaii 5, Valencia 6
The Tropics had a 5-4 lead going into the 7th, before MR Mark Dewey gave up 2 run homerun and Valencia closed it out 2 innings later. David Smurf had his 2nd homerun of the season and batted in 3 runs.
April 03
Hawaii flew to Vancouver
April 04
Hawaii 5, Vancouver 12
It was a route from the start, when SP Todd Swader gave up 7 runs in the first innings. The next 2 pitchers (Dick Bacon Jr, Steve McCullough) gave up 5 more runs combined over the next 4 innings. Hawaii's offense wasn't terrible however, poking 10 hits against the Stars pitchers. David Smurf homered in his 3rd straight game. C Kevin Bulder had his first homerun of the young season and Hank Fellicetti hit a homerun as part of his 2 of 4 day.
April 05
Hawaii 9, Vancouver 8
Hawaii's offense just managed enough runs as they played their first extra innings game of the season. David Smurf continued to rock the bat, contributing 4 RBI as well as another homer (making it 4 on the season). Robin Larker had his 2nd homerun of the season, while batting in 3 runs himself. The rest of the lineup poked around, with SS Tim McGraw going 2 for 4 and RF Silas Camarena also went 2 for 4, including a double and scored 2 runs. The pitching wasn't terrible for the first 8 innings, as Steve Cooke was on the bump for the Tropics, pitching 8 innings with only 2 Earned Runs. The 9th was a different story, as Leo Lopez gave up 3 hits, 2 runs and blew the save. Lucky for the Tropics, the 11th inning was David Smurf's 3-run blast. MR Ralph Desjardin and Michael McBean combined for an iffy 11th inning -- but the Tropics escaped with a win.
April 06
Hawaii 3, Vancouver 2
The Tropics had something to celebrate, as 1B David Smurf hit his 400th Career Homerun (and 5th of the season). Smurf became the 17th player in MBBA history to hit 400 homeruns. Robin Larker combined for another 2 hits, while Robb Wells had a triple in his single hit on the game. SP Alan Hammer pitched 8 innings while Leo Lopez came in and saved the game after a horrible showing the day before. Smurf who spent the last 10 seasons with Louisville had this to say after being showered by champagne in the locker room, "Its good to get out and be competitive. Here we are 3-2 on the season, playing great baseball, playing tough baseball, and I'm just playing the way I've always played. Hopefully we can continue this run of good baseball into the future." A Vancouver fan in left field caught the 356 foot homer and was promptly escorted from the stadium, Smurf offered the fan multiple autographs on various items for the ball.
April 07
Hawaii 3, Vancouver 2
The Tropics notched their first 3 game win-streak of the year with this victory. The offense wasn't spectacular, but they didn't have to be too great with SP Freddy Bilbao on the mound. Bilbao pitched 8 innings, allowing just 5 hits, 2 runs, while striking out 11. 2B Tim McGraw had a 2 for 4 day, with an RBI and run. While Daniel Fabiano added in his 2 for 4.
April 08
Hawaii flew to Valencia
April 09
Hawaii 4, Valencia 5
All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for the Tropics...that included their 3-game winning streak as they lost that on Thursday. SP Remington Little wasn't terrible as the starter, pitching 6 innings while allowing 4 runs. The Hawaii offense just couldn't get it turned on. Tim McGraw had another fantastic day, going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. That's where it ends unfortunately, as only RF Jorge Abad had 2 hits, including a homerun. This game was one to forget for David Smurf and Silas Camarena -- they both whiffed 3 times in 4 at-bats.
April 10
Hawaii 0, Valencia 6
Hawaii's first shut out of the year hurt a bit, as 5 of Valencia 6 runs came in the last 7 outs of the ballgame. SP Todd Swader pitched 7.2 innings, walking 6. The Tropics couldn't get any offense at all, with David Smurf, the MVP for the Tropics so far, left 7 runners on base...3 of which in scoring position.
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Offensive MVP:
1B David Smurf
- Smurf has 5 homeruns, 12 RBI and some clutch hits for the Tropics in this campaign. Smurf hit his 400th career homerun on April 6th and has been a major inspiration to younger players in the clubhouse. Congratulations David!
Pitching MVP:
Freddy Bilbao
- Bilbao has been the lone star in the Tropics pitching rotation. Bilbao started 2 games this last week, winning both, posting 20 K's, and has a 1.13 ERA in 16 IP. Congratulations Freddy!
Tropic Times Vol. VI (April 01 - April 10 '98)
Moderator: Jwalk100
Re: Tropic Times Vol. VI (April 01 - April 10)
Thanks! I try and keep it simple, where no one needs to spend an hour reading it...but ya still get the general feeling of each game.
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