HILO — Despite searching under every rock for a pile of basehits, the Stars found only frustration against Na Koa Ikaika Maui ace Jesse Smith, falling 5-1 in the back end of a North American Baseball League doubleheader on Saturday
HILO — Despite searching under every rock for a pile of basehits, the Stars found only frustration against Na Koa Ikaika Maui ace Jesse Smith, falling 5-1 in the back end of a North American Baseball League doubleheader on Saturday night at Wong Stadium in their last homestand.
Earlier in the day, the Stars enjoyed a spate of timely hits under sunshine to upend Na Koa 7-3. Then nightfall began, and it rained lightly from the first inning on, providing the Hawaii Stars with a lasting, wet memory of Hilo.
Fortunately for the Stars, the Sonoma County Grapes did them a solid, beating the San Rafael Pacifics 8-1, momentarily halting the final nail in their coffin. The Stars (23-25) and Na Koa (29-25) next play a six-game series on Maui, starting Tuesday.
If the Pacifics (31-22) win their next game and the Stars lose, Hawaii’s postseason hopes are dashed. The Stars’ debut season was the first return of professional baseball to Hilo since the Hawaii Winter League closed up shop in 1997.
Both games were scheduled for seven innings. But in Game 2, after a 30-minute rain delay, the contest was called in the top of the sixth inning due to unplayable conditions. Then despite the loss, the smiles shined brightest for all the Stars.
Michael Kenui, a 2009 Waiakea graduate, picked up the win in the second game. He’s 3-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 26 1⁄3 innings with 23 strikeouts.
Smith spun a three-hitter for the win. Gered Mochizuki went 2-for-3, including a lightning bolt of a two-run homer.
Roman Martinez took the loss in two innings and left the game after getting hit on the ankle by a comebacker. Ryan Screnar finished with three innings and allowed two runs.
In 3 2⁄3 innings, Paul Jinkens walked five and yielded two runs in a no-decision. Kenui fired 3 1⁄3 innings of one-run relief for the win. He walked a pair of batters, but gave up only a hit and struck out three.
c Stars 7, Na Koa 3: Maui starter Mike Williams pitched on his 26th birthday, and it wasn’t a particularly happy experience. He went five innings and gave up five runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks, and he struck out three.
Arnoldo Ponce batted 2-for-2, and Adam Jacobs had a hit and two RBIs to rouse the Stars. Alnas went 0-for-3 in his last home game.
Maui 000 201 0 — 3 2 2
Hawaii 032 002 x — 7 9 1
Maui 032 00 — 5 4 1
Hawaii 000 10 — 1 3 1
