The Hawaii Tropics set off on a ten game road trip with their first stop in Minneapolis-Saint Paul area for a three game series against Twin Cities at Land O’Lakes Ballpark.
Game 1- The Trops get off to a good start and ends their three game losing streak. Hawaii SP Bob McConnell pitched 7 innings and allowed just one run and DH Ernest McBride was 2 for 3 with a 2 run homer to pace Hawaii.
McConnell surrendered just 4 hits, walked 3 and struck out 4 batters as he earned his 4th win.
2B Jack “Junkyard” Nichols was 2 for 4 with a solo homer, a run scored and 2 RBI.
Hawaii wins 8-3.
Game 2- Tropics SP Zak Johnson’s woes continue as he gives up 5 runs on 4 hits (3 homers) and 2 walks over 5 innings of work. He struck out 3 as he falls to 6-4 with a 5.64 ERA.
LF Jose Camacho was 1 for 3 with a solo homer.
Twin Cities wins 5-2.
Game 3- Hawaii SP Jesus Gonzalez has pitched well the last couple of seasons and contnues to improve. He allows just one run on two hits over 8 innings. He walked one and struck out 7 batters in only 88 pitches. He improves to 5-3 with a 3.01 ERA.
SS Fernando Rodriguez was 1 for 4 with a solo homer.
1B Gary Allen was 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.
Hawaii wins 5-1 and wins the series 2-1.
The Tropics fly to California for a four game series with the Valencia Stars at Honigsfeld Field.
Game 1- The Stars hammer the Tropics and SP Alaric Wullenweber to take the series opener. Wullenweber was fooling no one on this evening. He gave up 7 runs on 6 hits (2 homers), no walks and struck out 3 in just 3 innings. He falls to 7-3 on the season.
After a slow start this season, LF Bastiao Fardos has bounced back. He was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer. He is now hitting .286 with 11 homers and 32 ribbies.
1B Gary Allen was 1 for 4 with a 2 run homer. Allen has improved this season at the plate. He is hitting .305 with 15 homers and 58 RBI.
Valencia wins 14-5.
Game 2- The Tropics turn the tables on the Stars beating Valencia pitchers to even the series. 1B Gary Allen homered again with a 2 run shot in the eighth. Allen also doubled as he was 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored and had 2 RBI.
C Ron Shiplack had a big night going 3 for 4 with a double, a run and 4 RBI.
CF Ronnie Hubbard was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.
The Tropics turned 3 double plays and saw Bastiao Fardos throw a runner out at the plate.
SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani got the job done going 7 1/3 innings. He allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He improves to 5-2 on the season.
Hawaii wins 12-4
Game 3- The Valencia pitching staff is putting up a fight against the Tropics as they keep the big boys in the lineup pinned down and get their second win of the series.
RF Mike Campbell is beginning to stir from his slumber going 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, a run scored and 3 runs driven in.
Bob McConnell allowed 5 runs on 5 hits in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Valencia wins 5-3.
Game 4- Hawaii holds on to win a tight game with the Stars as they escape with a series split with Valencia. Zak Johnson did just enough in 7 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and a walk before e yielding to the pen. RP Luis Santiago and RP Norm McConnell each pitched clean innings and struck out a batter to close out the win.
Gary Allen homered again going 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI.
Bastiao Fardos was 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.
Hawaii wins 6-5 and split the series with Valencia.
