The Hawaii Tropics load up the team’s 757 named “Coconut One” for a ten game road trip. The first stop for the Tropics will be in Nashville to face the Bluebirds in a three game series at Les Paul Field.
Game 1- The Bluebirds get a walk off single by C Alberto Rodriguez. Rodriguez lined a 3-2 fastball from Tropics RP Raymond Ortiz into center for the game winner.
SP Bob McConnell started the game for Hawaii and pitched 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2 batters.
1B Gary Allen was 4 for 5 with a double and a run scored.
LF Bastiao Fardos was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer.
Nashville wins 6-5.
Game 2- Nashville Starter Alvin Chartrand was masterful all night against the Tropics allowing just 2 runs on 2 hits.
Tropics Starter Zak Johnson was pushed around by the Bluebirds offense allowing 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings on 7 hits and a walk. He struck out 2 batters and falls to 3-3 on the season.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was the lone bright spot for the Tropics going 1 for 3 with a 2 run homer.
Nashville wins 8-2.
Game 3- The Tropics avoid the sweep by squeaking by the Bluebirds in extras. 3B Miguel Rodriguez popped a solo homer in the twelfth inning off of Lorenzo de’Medici. Rodriguez finished the day 3 for 4 with a single, triple and that eventual game winner. He drove in 2 and scored 2.
SP Jesus Gonzalez was good for the Tropics going 7 2/3 innings and surrendering just 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 6.
RP Norm McConnell struggled again trying to close out a game but keeps plugging away and vultures the win. He pitched 3 innings giving up 4 hits, a walk, 2 runs and struck out 2.
Hawaii wins 4-3 but loses the series 2-1 to Nashville.
The Tropics make their next stop in San Fernando for a four game series versus the Bears at Chico Bail Bonds Field.
Game 1- The Tropics run out to a 16-4 lead then allow 7 runs in the seventh. The Tropics called on reliever Stephen Taub to close the game out. He pitched two clean innings striking out 2 batters and securing the win in the series opener.
SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani got the start for Hawaii. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 4 runs on 7 hits and a walk. He struck out 6 batters and improved to 4-1 on the season.
1B Gary Allen was 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI.
RF Mike Campbell was 4 for 6 with a double, 3 runs and 2 RBI.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 3 for 5 with two doubles, a run and 4 RBI.
C Enrique Dominguez] was 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 3 runs and 4 RBI.
Hawaii wins 16-11.
Game 2- The Tropics withstand another Bears late comeback to take another game. SP Alaric Wullenweber did a great job at Chico Bail Bonds Field going 5 innings surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 9 batters but the Bears were patient and ran his pitch count up to 104 in those 5 innings. He does get his 6th win of the season.
2B Jack “Junkyard” Nichols led the Tropics in RBI with 4. He was 1 for 4 with a 3 run home and a sac fly.
Hawaii wins 9-6.
Game 3- Hawaii DH Ernest McBride, SS Fernando Rodriguez and CF Ronnie Hubbard each get 3 hits as the Tropics win their fourth straight game.
Tropics Starter Bob McConnell gave 5 strong innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and walked no one while striking out 4 batters.
Stephen Taub pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, a walk and struck out 3.
Hawaii wins 8-2.
Game 4- SP Zak Johnson shakes off his slump and pitched 6 strong innings. He gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 6 batters and improves to 4-3.
Norm McConnell earned his 11th save but gave up 3 hits in the process but wriggled off the hook.
C Ron Shiplack was 2 for 4 with a double, a 2 run homer, 2 runs and 2 RBI.
There were a combined 110 hits and 60 runs scored in the four game series.
Hawaii wins 5-3 and sweeps the series.
