Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Josh Larson pitched six shutout innings and Danny Sandoval homered Friday night as Maui Na Koa Ikaika dealt another blow to the Hawaii Stars’ fading playoff hopes with a 3-1 victory at Wong Stadium.
The Stars (22-24) will wrap up their home schedule today with a 1:35 p.m. doubleheader against Maui (28-24), and they’ll start the day six games behind first-place San Rafael with eight to play in the North American Baseball League.
Steve Raburn (3-2) pitched well in defeat, striking out nine and allowing only three hits, including Sandoval’s solo home run in the top of the first, in 7 1/3 innings.
Former University of Hawaii at Hilo standout Keoni Manago was 2 for 4, including an RBI double with two outs in the ninth off Victor Ferrante to cut the lead to 3-1. Ferrante, Maui’s fifth pitcher of the night, struck out Anthony Lopez to end the game for his seventh save.
Maui’s AJ Alexander delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single in the top of the ninth off Cortney Arruda.
Making his first start after working in relief in his previous 16 appearances this season, Larson (2-0) struck out three and scattered three hits.
Maui 100 000 002 — 3 4 0
Hawaii 000 000 001 —1 4 1