The Hawaii Tropics take a day off before welcoming the Twin Cities River Monsters to Diamond Head for a three game series.
Game 1- The Hawaii Tropics put up crooked numbers in the first and fifth innings to run away with the series opener over the River Monsters. The Tropic sent nine men to the plate in the first with the big hit a three run shot from Ira Sanchez. In the fifth, Hawaii again sent nine men to the plate and again the bug hit was provided by Ira Sanchez. Sanchez had a two run double to left center.
SP Zak ‘Hitman’ Johnson was relaxed and threw strikes after being staked to a big lead. He pitched seven innings allowing just a run on seven hits and a walk. He fanned eight batters and improved to 10-13 with a 4.84 ERA.
Sanchez finished the day 2 for 5 at the plate with a run scored and five RBI. C Ron Shiplack was 3 for 3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Stephen Cox was 1 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI.
Hawaii wins 11-2.
Game 2- The Tropics survive a pitching duel with the River Monsters scoring three runs on just two hits. Hawaii SP Atmo ‘Mole’ Ananas pitched 6 2/3 innings giving up just a run on four hits. He walked none and fanned nine in a no decision. Denny Hamilton came on to finish the seventh inning getting 1/3 of an inning of work. Ronnie Sprinkles pitched 1 1/3 innings striking out three batters.Rich Martinez recorded the final two outs via the K to finish the game for his first save as a Tropic.
Ron Shiplack was 1 for 3 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. Katsumi Matsumoto was 1 for 3 with a two run double.
Hawaii wins 3-1.
Game 3- The Tropics score 11 runs and the bullpen melts down late but survive for a series sweep of the River Monsters. SP Bob McConnell pitched well but could only get through 4 2/3 innings. He gave up just two hits and walked three while striking out seven batters. Scott Lucas and Tye Whitford were hammered for a combined seven runs in 2 1/3 innings before Rich Martinez was called upon to put out the fire. Martinez made it interesting with two hits and a walk before inducing an unassisted groundout to 1B Omar Altaner to end the game.
Altaner was 1 for 5 with a run and two RBI. Bronx ‘Little Bron’ Cortez was 1 for 4 with a two run homer, a walk, two runs scored and three RBI. Logan ‘LJ’ Niles was 2 for 3 with a three run homer and a walk. He also swiped a base.
Hawaii wins 11-7 and sweeps the series.
