The Tropics has the Valencia Stars for a four game series at Diamond Head.
Game 1- Valencia scores 2 runs in the top of the ninth off
RP Norm McConnell then hold off the Hawaii Offense in the bottom half of the inning to take the game 6-5.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 2 for 3 with a 3 run homer and stole his 15th base of the season.
RF Mike Campbell was 1 for 4 with a solo homer.
SP Stephen Taub pitched 6 1/3 giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. Taub walked 2 and struck out 4 in the no decision.
Valencia wins 6-5.
Game 2- SP Jesus Gonzalez was in control from the start as he allowed just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk over 7 innings. He struck out 9 in exactly 100 pitches (64 strikes) in getting his first win of the season. He sports as nice 1.69 ERA so far.
CF Doeke Soethout was called up from AAA to takeover center from a struggling CF Michel Noel. Doeke (Like Okey Dokey) was 2 for 2 with his first BBA homer in the third followed by a double in the fifth. He added to walks, scored a run and drove in 2 in a fine BBA debut.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 3 for 4 with an RBI and his 16th stolen base.
DH Ettienne LaFitte was 1 for 4 and hit his 6th homer of the season, a solo homer in the second.
Hawaii wins 6-1.
Game 3- SP Alaric Wullenweber struggled early but settled down and pitched a nice game. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits through 3 innings then was unhittable as he shut down the Valencia Offense in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. He struck out 8 Stars Hitters and won his third game of the season with a 3.98 ERA.
RP Luis Santiago finished the game allowing just a hit over 2 innings and struck out 3 earning his first save of the season.
1B Manuel Aguilar, Jr. was 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI.
DH Ettiene LaFitte was 2 for 4 with an RBI
Hawaii wins 5-3.
Game 4- RF Mike Campbell hits a bases loaded triple with 2 outs in the seventh then scores on a single by C Enrique Dominguez] to tie the game at 5-5. In the bottom of the ninth, DH Ettiene LaFitte sent the Tropic Fatithful home happy as he hit a 1-1 fastball into the left field bleachers for the walkoff win.
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SP Jim “Bullets” Wilkinson struggled again but got some good relief pitching behind him. He pitched 5 innings allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He gave up 3 homers and struck out 3.
LaFitte was 1 for 2 with 2 runs and an RBI. He is hitting .227 with 7 homers and 18 RBI.
1B Miguel Aguilar was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
3B Gary Allen was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.
Hawaii wins 6-5 and takes the series 3-1.
The Tropics hit the road for a 2 game series with the Yellow Springs Nine.
Game 1- The Hawaii Offense scores 4 runs in the first and SP Zach Johnson made those runs stand up as he allowed 2 runs on 9 hits. He walked no one and struck out 5 throwing just 94 pitches (70 strikes). Johnson is 2-1with a 3.25 ERA.
2B Jack “Junkyard” Nichols was 2 for 4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. The scrappy Nichols is hitting .263 with 2 homers and 11 RBI.
3B Gary Allen was 1 for 4 with a 2 run homer in the first. Allen is hitting .278 with 10 homers and 25 RBI.
Team Captain Ettienne LaFitte said of Allen, “ He is our MVP so far this season. We will need more guys to step up as the season unfolds.”
Hawaii wins 4-2.
Game 2- Yellow Springs and Hawaii engaged in a slugfest that ended up in extras. RP Douglas Wils gave up the game winning three run homer in the bottom of the eleventh to Pinch Hitter Lucas McNeill.
SP Stephen Taub was blasted for 6 runs on 10 hits over 4 and 2/3 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 4.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs, an RBI and his 18th stolen base.
1B Miguel Aguilar was 2 for 6 with a homer, run scored and 3 RBI.
LF Bastiao Fardos was 2 for 5 with a run.
CF Doeke Soethout was 1 for 5 with his 2nd homer of the season. He has adapted well to the majors hitting .429 his first week.
Yellow Springs wins 11-8. The series ends 1-1.
