Brenden Davis singled to drive in the winning run and cap a four-run bottom of the ninth inning rally to lift the Hawaii Stars to a 6-5 win over Na Koa Ikaika Maui on Sunday afternoon at Wong Stadium.
The dramatic win gave the host Stars (12-12) a split in the six-game series with Maui (12-12).
The visitors jumped on top 3-0 in the first inning and seemed to have a victory within their grasp, leading 5-2 going into the bottom of the ninth.
But the Stars’ Adam Jacobs walked and advanced to second on Keoni Manago’s single. Then Steven Tedesco walked to load the bases.
Matt Hibbert followed with a run-scoring single to cut the deficit to 5-3 and bring Anthony Lopez to the plate with the bases still filled. Lopez ripped a single to left, scoring Manago and Tedesco to tie it at 5-5. Davis then singled to right field off Maui reliever Mike Koons to give the hosts the walk-off victory.
Tedesco, Lopez, Davis, Manago and Amoldo Ponce each had two hits to fuel the Stars’ 13-hit attack. Danny Sandaval had three hits for Maui, which had six hits in the game.
Stars reliever Michael Kenui got the win. Koons was tagged with the defeat.
John Holley started for the hosts and pitched seven innings. He allowed five hits and three runs while walking six and striking out five. Mike Williams started for Maui and went six innings. He gave up seven hits and two runs to go along with three walks and a strikeout.
The Stars will have a break this week from professional action. However, the Stars will play exhibition games against Local 9 at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and 5:35 p.m. Thursday at Wong Stadium. Local 9 is a team comprised of Hawaii high school and collegiate talent.
