The Hawaii Tropics finish their six game road trip with a four games series vs the California Crusaders at South Pacific Field.
Game 1- Trailing 5-4 in the top of the ninth, the Tropics score 4 runs to steal the series opener from the Crusaders. The big hit was a 2 run double by 1B Ettienne LaFitte off of California RP Mario “Big Cheese” Vitalle.
LaFitte was 2 for 2 with that double and a 2 run homer that he had hit in the seventh also off Vitalle.
LF Bastiao Fardos was a pest all day as he hit 2 doubles, scored 2 times and drove in a run.
3B Gary Allen was 2 for 5 with 2 doubles, a run scored and an RBI.
SP Alaric Wullenweber pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 8. He got the no decision.
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RP Norm McConnell came on in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 11th save of the season. McConnell allowed 2 hits and struck out a batter.
Hawaii wins 8-5.
Game 2- The Trops score in every inning but the fourth and seventh as they cruise to the win. The Hawaii Offense scored 9 runs on 15 hits and relied on their outfield defense with assists from CF Doeke Soethout and RF Mike Campbell.
SP Stephen Taub pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 11 hits and a walk. He struck out 4 and kept the ball in the park. Taub won his 5th game of the season against 2 losses.
C Ron Shiplack was 4for 4 with a double and three singles, scoring a run and driving in a run.
DH Ernesto McBride was 3 for 4 with three singles, a walk, a run and 2 RBI.
3B Gary Allen was 3 for 5 with a 2 run homer. He scored 2 and drove in 3 to lead the team.
Hawaii wins 9-4.
Game 3- The Tropics fall behind 3-2 early but respond with 4 runs in the sixth on a 2 run homer off the bat of RF Mike Campbell. On defense, the Trops turn 2 double plays to snuff out any ideas of a California comeback. LF Jose Camacho threw out a runner at home to continue the great play by the Hawaii outfield crew.
Camacho was also 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and an RBI.
RF Mike Campbell was 1 for 4 with a homer, a run and 2 RBI.
SS Fernando Rodriguez contributed 3 hits in 4 ABs. He had 2 double and a single. He drove in 1 run.
RP Norm McConnell earned his 12th save with a clean ninth.
Hawaii wins 6-4.
Game 4- Hawaii Tropic 1B Manuel Aguilar, Jr. homered twice and drove in 4 runs as the Tropics pour it on and sweep the California Crusaders to put some pressure on California in the Frick Pacific Division.
SP Zach Johnson allowed 2 runs on 9 hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings of work while he struck out 3 batters. Johnson improves to 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA.
RP Luis Santiago got the 8 out save giving up a hit and a walk.
DH Ernesto McBride was 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs and an RBI.
Hawaii wins 8-2 and sweeps the series.
The Tropics head home for a three game series with the Valencia Stars at Diamond Head.
Game 1- The Tropics are on a roll as they handle the Stars in the opener. SP Jesus Gonzalez made it difficult for the Valencia Lineup as he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and issued 3 walks. He struck out 7 over 7 innings of work and earned his 2nd win of the season. He is 2-6 with a 3.88 ERA.
Every Tropic had a least 1 hit as they put 7 runs up on the board.
DH Ernesto McBride was 2 for 4 with a homer, double, a run scored and 3 RBI.
Hawaii wins 7-3.
Game 2- SP Alaric Wullenweber was a savage as he mowed down 10 Stars hitters over 8 1/3 innings. He gave up 3 runs on 8 hits and walked no one. He improved to 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA. Wullenweber also let his defense help him out. RF Mike Campbell and CF Doeke Soethout threw out runners at home and third a for the second time in 4 games as teams try to take that extra base.
Nichols turns two
DH Ernesto McBride homered again in 2 ABs, driving in 2 runs.
1B Manuel Aguilar Jr, was 2 for 4 with a homer.
C Ron Shiplack was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Hawaii wins 8-3.
Game 3- RF Mike Campbell homered twice and SP Stephen Taub strikes out 10 batters as the Tropics win their 7th game in row.
Campbell was 2 for 4 with those 2 homers, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Campbell has hit .332 with 11 homers and 48 RBI.
Taub pitched 7 2.3 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits and a walk. He improves to 6-2 with a 5.10 ERA.
RP Norm McConnell earned his 13th save giving up 2 hits in the ninth but also striking out 3.
Hawaii wins 3-1 and sweeps the three game series.
Team Captain Etienne LaFitte said after the game, “We can achieve a lot this season of we keep playing like this. We need to keep everyone focused.”
