The Hawaii Tropics begin the season in Sacramento for a three-game series against the Mad Popes. The Popes have made the playoffs 12 out of the last 13 seasons and will undoubtably march to their 13th playoff berth. The Trops on the other hand had a short two-season window in 2054-55 and now are rebuilding to get back into the tournament.
The Mad Popes score three runs in their first home half of the season and cruise to an Opening Day win. The Tropics managed just a run on five hits in the loss. Carlos Sanchez doubled, tripled and scored a run in four at bats to earn the Tropics Player of the Game.
Sacramento wins 4-1.
Sacramento Mad Popes GM Doug ‘Shoeless’ Olmstead was not happy with his team as they hit three homers in the Game 2 dismantling of the Hawaii Tropics. Trops CF Angelo Lucchesi earned Tropics Player of the Game going 2 for 5 with a double and drove in a run.
Sacramento wins 8-2.
The Mad Popes complete the sweep of the Tropics to open the season with a two-hit shutout. The Trops drew four walks but fanned six times while stranding eight on the basepaths. Reliever Utkan Gocek was the Tropics Player of the Game with two scoreless innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out one while throwing 23 pitches.
Sacramento wins 5-0.
The Mad Popes sweep the three-game series.
GM Jim Walker said, “We’re consistent. Our hitters are cold right out of the box and can’t help out our pitchers with some run support.”
