The Hawaii Tropics head to Iowa for a four game series against the Des Moines Kernels at Edward Murphy Memorial Stadium.
Game 1- The Tropics score seven runs early then cruise to a series opening win at the ‘Murph’. RF Mike Campbell was 2 for 5 with a homer, two runs scored and three RBI. C Ron Shiplack was 1 for 5 but pounded a three run homer in the second inning.
On the mound, SP Bob McConnell got the start and pitched well. He threw 85 pitches in 6 2/3 innings giving up two runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out two and improved to 1-6 on the season.
Hawaii wins 10-3.
Game 2- The Tropics extend their winning streak to seven games with an extra inning game win in Des Moines. SP Alaric Wullenweber did the heavy lifting pitching 7 innings giving up three runs on seven hits, a walk and struck out eight. He left the game with the score tied 3-3.
The game remained tied until the top of the eleventh when SS Ben Vaive (1 for 5) slapped a 1-0 fastball sharply into right center driving in two runs.
RP Steven Bobovnik came on in relief and recorded the first two outs of the inning for his fifth hold of the season. He was relieved by RP Alberto Castaneda who induced a 5-3 ground out to end the game.
Hawaii wins 5-3.
Game 3- This game was quiet until late. Hawaii led 3-2 going Tinto the home half of the seventh. The Kernels scored a run to tie the game then held off the Tropics in the top of the eighth. Des Moines scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a short term lead going into the ninth. Hawaii battered the Kernels for eight runs in the top of the ninth to take a seemingly insurmountable 11-5 lead. The Kernels had other thoughts as they responded with a six run bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
The game settled down again until the top of the twelfth. Tropics LF Bronx ‘Little Bron’ Cortez, who had come on as a defensive replacement, crushed a three run homer 433 feet to left center to give the Tropics a 14-11 lead. Cortez finished the day 1 for 2.
Alfredo Castaneda got the final outs to get the win but not before putting a scare into his teammates. Castaneda had given up the lead in the ninth but remained in the game to get the win. He hit the first batter in the bottom of the twelfth and gave up a double. With men on second and third, he got a strike out then walked the next batter to load the bases. He then got a flyout to shallow right then got Luis Barrera to ground out 4-3 to end the game.
Hawaii wins 14-11.
Game 4- The Hawaii bullpen let another lead slip away but the Bronx Cortez bails them out again. Hawaii led 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh when the Kernels scored two runs, then added a run in the eighth and finally two in the ninth to tie the game 6-6.
In the top of the eleventh Cortez hit a solo homer to right field to give the Trops the lead. This was followed by another solo homer, this one off the bat of Ron Shiplack that gave some extra cushion for the bullpen.
Steven Bobovnik picked up the win pitching 2 innings allowing just two hits and striking out two. RP Norm McConnell came on with two outs then walked the first batter but then got a 4-3 ground out to secure the win for the Tropics and extend the winning streak to nine games.
Hawaii wins 8-6 and sweeps the four game series.
Hawaii finishes this road trip with a two game series in Valencia at Honigsfeld Field.
Game 1- Hawaii extends their winning streak to 10 games as SP Zak Johnson pitches 5 innings allowing just one hit, walks two and strikes out nine Stars. He improves to 7-1 with a 3.42 ERA.
SS Ernesto Angel was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
Ron Shiplack was 1 for 4 with a double, a run and two RBI.
Hawaii wins 5-1.
Game 2- The winning streak comes to an end as the Tropics fall to the Stars for a series split. SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani continues to have his problems this season. He pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up six runs on nine hits, a walk and struck out five. He falls to 2-8 on the season with a 4.54 ERA.
Bronx Cortez was 1 for 3 with a solo homer.
1B Gary Allen was 2 for 4 with a solo homer.
DH Ernest McBride was 1 for 4 with a solo hoer.
Valencia wins 6-4.
