Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
The Hawaii Stars split a doubleheader against the first-place San Rafael Pacifics on Saturday at Wong Stadium, winning the second game 2-1 and losing the first game 1-0.
The teams concluded their six-game series on Sunday with the Pacifics (28-10) fighting past the Stars 4-3. Hawaii slipped to 17-24 in the Pacific Association standings.
The Stars next host the East Bay Lumberjacks, starting with singles games at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Wong, then a single game at 1:35 p.m. Saturday at the UH-Hilo Stadium.
In the second game Saturday, new Star Reggie Taylor walked with the bases loaded for the walk-off 2-1 win. Cortney Arruda pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Devon Ramirez started and allowed a run in 5 1/3 innings.
It was a pitching-dominated game. Hawaii was held to two hits and San Rafael to three.
J.J. Whetsel took the loss in relief.
In the first game, the Pacifics scored an unearned run in the eighth to win 1-0 in extra innings. Michael Kenui pitched three innings of one-run relief in the loss. Ronnie Loeffler went five scoreless innings in the no-decision.
It was another low offensive game. Hawaii had four hits and San Rafael produced five base hits.
Bennett Whitmore pitched an eight-inning complete game for the win.
On Friday, the Stars edged thel Pacifics 7-6.
Previously, Hawaii was 0-7 against San Rafael, losing all six games on a recent road trip.
Tony York pitched 1 1/3 innings with three strikeouts for the save. Brian Escanio went two innings in relief and allowed two runs for the win. Onan Masaoka started and allowed four runs in four innings.
Taylor batted 3 for 4 and Brendan Davis went 1 for 4 with two RBIs to lead the Stars, who had nine hits.
Maikel Jova batted 2 for 5 with two RBIs to lead the Pacifics, who struck out 14 times.
Christian Scholl took the loss. He gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On Thursday, the Stars lost the series opener 6-4 when the Pacifics scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning. Danny Gonzalez hit a two-run single off Mike Jackson Jr., who beaned Johnny Woodward and gave up a single to Kyle Dhanani.
• Sunday’s finale: Price Kendall had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs to help lift San Rafael over the host Stars 4-3.
Chase Fontaine added two hits for the visitors as they scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning off Hawaii closer Tyler York to earn the win.
Felix Brown had three hits and two RBIs to spark Hawaii. Teammate Dustin Smith added two hits, including a double.
Pacifics’ reliever Dan Rogers, who went 2/3 of an inning, picked up the win. Kyle DeVore started for San Rafael and pitched 6 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits and two runs.
Matt Stropoli started for the hosts and went eight innings. He allowed five hits and two runs. York pitched the ninth and was touched for the two runs. He took the loss.
• STARS NOTES: The Hawaii Stars will play their first two games of a three-game series against the East Bay Lumberjacks at Wong Stadium. Both nine-inning single games start at 5:35 p.m. Then on Saturday, the teams meet in a 1:35 p.m. single game at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Baseball Stadium.
“The Relay for Life will be held Saturday night at Wong Stadium, so that’s why we’re using UH-Hilo that day,” Joey Estrella said. “After the game, the Hawaii Stars will take part in the Relay for Life at Wong.”
Sunday at Wong Stadium
San Rafael 110 000 002 — 4 7 1
Hawaii 010 000 110 — 3 8 1