The Hawaii Tropics host the Des Moines Kernels to Diamond Head for a three game series.
Game 1- Des Moines 1B Juan Mateo hits 2 homers and drives in 5 runs as the Kernels take the series opener over the Tropics.
Tropics SP Zak Johnson picked up his first loss going 5 innings, giving up 8 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 4 batters and gave up both of Mateo’s homers.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a solo homer.
DH Ernest McBride was 1 for 4 with a solo homer.
Des Moines wins 8-3.
Game 2- The Tropics C Ron Shiplack and 1B Gary Allen combine for 5 hits, 2 runs and 4 RBI to pace the Hawaii offense. Shiplack was 3 for 4 with a homer and Allen was 2 for 4 with a double.
SP Jesus Gonzalez pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, a walk and struck out 7.
RP Norm McConnell pitched a clean ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Hawaii wins 6-5.
Game 3- The Tropics commit three errors but pound out 6 extra base hits and overcome those gaffes.
Ernest McBride was 2 for 5 with a double and 2 runs scored.
Gary Allen was 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs and an RBI.
CF Ronnie Hubbard was 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and 2 RBI.
C Ron Shiplack committed 2 of the 3 errors and was 1 for 4 at the plate.
SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani went 7 innings, allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), no walks and struck out 6. He improved to 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA.
RP Douglas Wils pitched an inning and gave up 2 hits and 2 unearned runs with a strike out.
Norm McConnell earned his 5th save of the season allowing just a hit in the ninth.
Hawaii win 8-6 and win the series 2-1.
The Tropics travel to the Pacific Northwest for a three games series versus the Portland Lumberjacks at the Trail in Multnomah.
Game 1- Tropics Ace Alaric Wullenweber allows just 2 hits in a shutout of the Portland Lumberjacks. He issued 2 walks and struck out 8 batters. He improves to 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA.
RF Mike Campbell was 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, a run and 3 RBI.
Hawaii wins 4-0
Game 2- Tropics Starter Zak Johnson pitches just 4 2/3 innings and gives up 4 runs on 8 hits. He struck out 1 batter in a no decision.
The Tropics offense ran wild stealing 3 bases and hitting 4 homers in the loss. LF Bastiao Fardos, SS Fernando Rodriguez and RF Mike Campbell each swiped a bag.
Campbell and 1B Gary Allen each hit solo homers while 3B Miguel Rodriguez smacked 2 solo homers.
Portland wins 5-4.
Game 3- The Tropics continue to ride the wave of good pitching and timely hitting. Starter Jesus Gonzalez pitched 6 strong innings, gave up just 3 hits and struck out 8. He improved to 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA.
DH Ernest McBride was 2 for 4 with a homer, a run and 2 RBI.
C Ron Shiplack was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.
Hawaii wins 6-1 and wins the series 2-1.
