The Hawaii Tropics return home to ‘Iolani Palace for the 2059 home opener. The newly expanded Palace now seats 40,000 Tropics fans and the team is expecting a sellout. The Trops were 5-9 against the Stars last season and Valencia now holds a three-game lead in the all-time series 168-165. The two rivals will play a three-game series in this short Hawaii homestand.
The Tropics strike first and hold off a Stars rally in the top of the 9th to get a series opening win. Hawaii starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta pitched 5.1 innings allowing two runs on four hits while fanning six batters as he improves to 1-0. He earned the Player of the Game honors.
Hawaii wins 4-3.
Three Tropics pitchers combine to shutout the Stars to take a 2-0 series lead over Valencia and ensure a series win. Starter John Moore was filthy as he allowed a hit, walked three and struck out three in five innings, earned the win and Player of the Game.He had some help from relievers Topan Adjeng and Chih Kuang. Adjeng fired 1.2 scoreless innings with a walk, and three Ks while Kuang picthed 2.1 innings with a K.
Hawaii wins 6-0.
The Stars salvage a win to avoid the sweep as Hawaii starter Gerardo Rea falls to 0-2. The Tropics Player of the Game goes to the relief duo of Juan Martinez and Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds. Martinez pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with a K and Reynolds also pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to give the Trops a chance at a comeback.
Valencia wins 3-2.
The Tropics wins the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “The offense is still sputtering but the pitching is keeping us afloat. Adjeng has had a tough go of it in his career and it’s nice to see that he’s rode out the hard times. We need him to produce like has did in this series.”
