The Hawaii Tropics finish their home stand with a three game series against the Seattle Storm at Diamond Head. The Tropics are 5-1 against the Storm solar this season.
Game 1- The Hawaii offense struggles against the Storm while their defense does them no favors in a series opening loss. Hawaii produced just five hits and no runs in the loss. SP Maup Manshert had a great effort going 6 1/3 innings allowing a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out seven batters but gets tagged with the loss falling to 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA.
Ron Shiplack was 1 for 2 with two walks, Stephen Cox was 1 for 3, Manny Garcia was 1 for 1, Jorge Salas was 1 for 3 with a stolen base and Bernardo Garcia was 1 for 3.
Seattle wins 2-0.
Game 2- The Tropics get a big two run homer from Manny Garcia in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead and hold off the Storm to even the series 1-1. After a lead off single by Bernardo Garcia, Manny Garcia blasted a first pitch fastball over the right field fence. Garcia was 1 for 3 on the day.
Bernard Garcia was 1 fir 2 with a walk and two runs scored. Enrique Hernandez was 1 for 4 with an RBI.
SP Sumitomo Takahashi gave Hawaii another solid performance from their starters with 6 1/3 innings of work. He allowed just a run on six hits and a walk. He fanned three batters in a no decision. Denny Hamilton pitched 1 2/3 innings with two Ks and warned the win to improve to 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA.
Hawaii wins 3-1.
Game 3- Hawaii’s Ernie Poole shut out the Storm over 6 1/3 innings then watched his bullpen finish off the win. Poole scattered six hits, walked one and fanned six in earning his 6th win of the season. He lowers his ERA to 2.88. Tye Whitford finished the seventh for Poole getting the final two outs. He struck out one in earning his 5th hold. Rich Martinez pitched 1 /2 innings walking one and striking out two and getting his 10th hold. Alberto Castaneda finished off the win after a scare. He walked two batters before getting a ground out to end the game.
Jorge Salas was 3 for 3 with two doubles and a solo homer. He scored two runs and drove in a run. Bronx ‘Little Bron’ Cortez was 2 for 4 with a solo homer.
Hawaii wins 3-0.
