The Tropics return home for a three-game series against the Long Beach Surfers. Long Beach leads the season series 5-2.
Game 1- The Surfers out pitch the Tropics to take the series opener in Hawaii. Juan Marroquin shut out the Trops hitters for 6 1/3 innings to get the win. Hawaii starter Semih Gurani gave up all three runs to the Surfers in seven innings. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five batters. He takes the loss and falls to 8-7 with a 3.84 ERA.
Dominic Thompson threw 1 1/3 innings of relief allowing a hit and issuing a walk. Chih Kuang pitched a clean 2/3 of an inning.
Angelo Lucchesi was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Masaki ‘Icon’ Sato was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Long Beach wins 3-1.
Game 2- Hawaii turns the tables on the Surfers as the Tropics staff wins this duel to even the series at 1-1. Terry Hansen had electric stuff in this game. He allowed a run on five hits and a walk. He struck out a batter in seven innings of work as he improves to 11-6 with a 4.22 ERA. Angel Hernandez pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings giving up three hits. Juan Martinez earned his 2nd save of the season by getting the last out.
Masaki Sato was 2 for 4 with a 1st inning two-run homer. He also doubled in the 8th inning. The Long Beach pitching staff refused to pitch to Rhys Brickell as he drew four walks. Angelo Lucchesi was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
Hawaii wins 4-1.
Game 3- The Tropics get a walk off win in the series finale and earn a much-needed series win. ‘Icon’ Sato drew a four pitch walk to start the bottom of the 9th inning. He took 2nd base on a wild pitch and moved to 3rd on a ground out by Rhys Brickell. Pedro Huerta was intentionally walked to put runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Angelo Lucchesi then slashed a 2-1 grounder down the 1st base line which was fielded cleanly by Danny Adkins. With his momentum moving toward the stands, Adkins threw home to try to get Sato at the plate. Sato broke on contact and slid home safely with the game winner.
Sato was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Adhyapayana Mehta was 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in the 7th inning. Lucchesi was 0 for 4 with an RBI.
Michael Kalil made the start for Hawaii going five innings allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. He fanned three batters in a no decision. Dominic Thompson pitched two scoreless innings giving up just one hit. Phil Thompson made his BBA debut with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed a hit, walked two batters, and fanned two. Juan Cerda earned the win with a clean 2/3 of an inning. He improves to 4-7 with a 4.83 ERA.
Hawaii wins 3-2.
Hawaii wins the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “This series was close. The Surfers pitch well, and they made it tough. There were just 14 runs in the series.”
