HILO — Nothing unlucky happened to the Hawaii Stars on Friday the 13th, especially for left-hander Bryan Herrera, who survived a shaky first inning and received a healthy dose of run support. HILO — Nothing unlucky happened to the Hawaii
HILO — Nothing unlucky happened to the Hawaii Stars on Friday the 13th, especially for left-hander Bryan Herrera, who survived a shaky first inning and received a healthy dose of run support.
The Stars exploded for five runs in the seventh inning to power past the Sonoma County Grapes 7-4 in a North American Baseball League game at Wong Stadium, handing a victory to a starting pitcher for the first time in the series.
Herrera walked himself into trouble in the first inning, issuing three free passes, and somehow surrendered only one run, on Michael Johnson’s RBI double.
He finished with one other walk and fine numbers. In seven innings, Herrera allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks, and he struck out one.
The former University of Texas pitcher, who won a national championship in 2005, improved his record to 2-1 and dropped his ERA to 3.45, earning his first victory since June 13 against the Grapes at home.
The Stars added a pair of runs in the first and second off Sonoma County starter Dan March, a former Hawaii Pacific pitcher. He gave up five runs (four earned) in six innings for the loss.
Steve Tedesco batted 2-for-3, Dion Pouncil went 3-for-3, Arnoldo Ponce went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and Matt Hibbert and Jason Thomas added two hits each for the Stars.
