The Hawaii Tropics host the Portland Lumberjacks in a three-game series at ‘Iolani Palace.
Game 1- The Portland Lumberjacks use a big five run seventh inning to race past the Tropics and take the series opener. The Lumberjacks took advantage of reliever Daruna Maddukuri scoring four runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk. Maddukuri struck out one batter but that is the only out he could get before being pulled.
Carlos Valle made the start for Hawaii throwing 94 pitches in six innings of work. He allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while he struck out eight batters in the no decision.
Carlos Sanchez crushed a pinch hit three run homer in the sixth inning to give the Trops a short lived 4-3 lead. Hector Vazquez has be producing as of late as a designated hitter. He was 3 for 4 with a doubl and a triple. He scored two runs and drove in two.
Portland wins 8-6.
Game 2- The Tropics pitched just well enough and had some timely hits to beat the Lumberjacks to even the series at 1-1. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds earned the win with six innings of work. He allowed two runs (one earned) on just four hits. He walked none and struck out three batters. He improved to 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA. Ronnie Sprinkles limped through his appearance allowing a run on a couple of hits and a walk. He struck out one and earned the hold. Alberto Castaneda pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings allowing just two hits. Tye Whitford earned the save getting the final two outs without allowing a run or a hit.
Katsumi Matsumoto was 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in the third inning. Karunamaya Makarand was 2 for 4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. Hector Vazquez played short and was 1 for 4 at the plate with a double and a run scored. Ron Shiplack was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Hawaii wins 5-3.
Game 3- The Tropics get the series win with a great pitching performance by their entire staff and with more timely hitting. Terry Hansen threw 5 1/3 innings allowing just a run on two hits while walking three. He struck out five batters and improved to 4-7 with a 5.40 ERA. Austin George was clean through 1 2/ 3 innings with a K. Alberto Castaneda continues to be the workhorse in the ‘pen. He pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing three hits and striking out two batters. Dominic Thompson earned the one out save striking out the last hitter.
Adhyapayana Mehta was 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI. Karunamaya Makarand was 1 for 3 with a couple of walks. He scored a run and drove in a run. Stewart Illingworth was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Hector Vazquez played third and was 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Hawaii wins 5-1.
Hawaii wins the series 2-1.
