Nothing but walk-off wins for Na Koa

They haven't won a game without doing it in walk-off fashion, but if Saturday night was any indication — 456 folks in the seats were the most since 1,047 watched the opener May 26 — things are looking up for Na Koa Ikaika Maui.

They have moved out of last place in the North American League's North Division and are 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Lake County, largely based on the Fielders' 5-2 season-opening series win here. The Fielders don't open at home until July 3 and are back on Maui for a four-game set June 18-21.

Maui (4-6) needs to find some consistency — they have alternated losses and wins for eight straight games — but all of the wins have been exciting, each coming in walk-off fashion.

Here is my gamer from Saturday night, a 4-3 win with three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Matt Carroll was at Maehara Stadium for Friday night's 10-6 loss to the Outlaws with 321 in the stands.

And I was there for Thursday night's 10-inning win to open the Chico series.

The 456 at Saturday's game leaves Maui averaging 417 fans per game. The owners told me here that they need to average 1,000 per game to break even.

Na Koa raised their team batting average 11 points, to .225, and lowered their team ERA 13 points, to 4.28, in Saturday's win.