Pono Anderson’s second masterful start against Kamehameha this season helped put a stop to Saint Louis’ recent skid.

The senior right-hander tossed a shutout against the Warriors early in the ILH season and was in command again in the Crusaders’ 3-1 win on Thursday at Ala Wai Field.

Anderson gave up six hits, struck out five, walked none and was ably backed up by the Crusader defense and Saint Louis (3-5) snapped a four-game losing streak.

Ryder Kuhns gave Anderson a lead with a looping RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. Tanner Atiburcio delivered a two-out double in the third to score Kuhns from first and D.J. Stephens followed with a single to score Atiburcio with Saint Louis’ third run.

"We’ve been trying to get them to be more aggressive, we finally pulled the trigger on some hits and we hit some off the end of the bat that fell in … I think we needed that, confidence-wise," Saint Louis coach George Gusman said. "Defense has been playing well and then we had our horse on the mound."

Anderson extended his string of scoreless innings against Kamehameha to 12 before Codie Paiva, the Warriors’ starting pitcher, drilled a two-out double in the top of the sixth inning to score Matthew Yokota. 

Kody Cacal singled to lead off the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate. But Anderson came back with a strikeout and catcher Taylor Meilleur threw out pinch-runner Nick Penzetta on a steal attempt. The game ended on a ground out to third on Anderson’s 79th pitch. He threw 55 for strikes and didn’t face a three-ball count.

"I was going more for trying to throw strikes rather than throwing hard," said Anderson, a University of Hawaii signee. "I tried my best to hit my spots and the ones I did miss got hit.

"Defense was very key today. They helped me out a lot and I think that’s what got us over the top today."

Saint Louis shortstop Keith Torres started a double play in the second inning and Atiburcio, the Crusaders’ first baseman, made a diving stop on a shot headed down the line to end the fifth.

After giving up the game’s first run, Paiva escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first and kept Kamehameha (5-3) close along with relievers Hunter Breault and Taylor Torres, who combined on two scoreless innings.

But Anderson remained in control to finish what he started.

"We just struggled at the plate today, just couldn’t string hits together," Kamehameha coach Tommy Perkins said. "I think the boys were a little tight today, they weren’t themselves swinging comfortably.

"Saint Louis did a great job today. Pono pitched a hell of a game and when he’s on he’s tough to beat."

Note

Saint Louis and Kamehameha will complete last Saturday’s suspended game on Wednesday at Goeas Field. Play was halted with the game tied 3-3 in the fifth and Kamehameha at bat.

Codie Paiva, Hunter Breault (5), Taylor Torres (6) and Kekai Rios. Pono Anderson and Taylor Meilleur. W–Anderson. L–Paiva.

Leading hitters–Kamehameha: Paiva, 2-3, 2B, RBI; Chance Arakaki, 2B. Saint Louis: Keith Torres, 2-3, 2B; Meilleur, 2B; Ryder Kuhns, RBI; Tanner Atiburcio, 2B, RBI; D.J. Stephens, RBI; Mana Manago, 2B.

ILH DIVISION II BASEBALL

Pac-Five 10, Damien 0, 5 inn.

Justin Ogasawara fired a no-hitter, striking out nine and helping the Wolfpack claim the mercy-rule shortened win.

Christian Jones tripled and drove in two to aid Pac-Five, while teammate Casey Wond went 3-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Justin Ogasawara and Micah Lum. Kaeo Kalaaukahi Castaneda, Chayne Wayton (4), Shiloh Kaeo (5) and Kaeo. W–Ogasawara. L–Castaneda.

Leading hitters–Pac-Five: Christian Jones 2-4, 3b, 2 RBIs; Casey Wond 3-3, 2b; Owen Saito 2-3; Francis Sonoda 2-2, 2 RBIs.

Maryknoll 4, Hanalani 1

Jarred Kaneshiro notched a complete-game victory for the Spartans after scattering three hits and holding the Royals scoreless over the final six innings.

Jarin Kobashigawa led Maryknoll on offense with two hits, including a double and two RBIs.

Jarred Kaneshiro and Neal Nakasone. Max Ares, Aaron Leong (5) and Reyn Romero.

W–Kaneshiro. L–Ares.

Leading hitters–Maryknoll: Josh Muneno 2-3; Jarin Kobashigawa 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs. Hanalani: Romero 3b; Kevin Matsuoka 2-3, RBI. 

MIl

King Kekaulike 2, Maui 1

Kamehameha-Maui 6, Lahainaluna 2 

OIA EAST SOFTBALL

No. 10 Kaiser 9, Castle 0

Crystal Ching-Lake pitched a two-hitter with four strikeouts as the Cougars beat the Knights.

Kaiser’s Rainelle Matsuoka batted 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs and Kayla Russell went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Shea Kauanui had both hits for Castle.

Crystal Ching-Lake and Tiana Ching-Lake. Asia Igafo, Kacie Lam (3) and Taylor Ah-Mook Sang. W–C. Ching-Lake. L–Igafo.

Kais: Rainelle Matsuoka 2-5, HR, 3 RBIs; Seli Aholelei 3b; Kayla Russell 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs; Haley Suzuki 3b. Cast: Shea Kauanui 2-2.

Moanalua 10, Kaimuki 0, 6 inn.

Na Menehune pitcher Kyler Tsukada tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out seven, to help Na Menehune ease by the winless Bulldogs.

Taylor Takushi, Kylie Kawelo and Jordan Snow collected two hits apiece to pace Moanalua.

Dacyleen Amond and Brandi Pfeiffer-Kekoa. Kyler Tsukada and Makamae Kaleikini. W–Tsukada. L–Amond.

Leading hitters–Moanalua: Taylor Takushi 2-4, 2b, RBI; Kylie Kawelo 2-2; Jordan Snow 2-3.

Kailua 12, McKinley 6

Statistics not reported

OIA WHITE SOFTBALL

No. 9 Nanakuli 12, Waialua 2, 5 inn.

Cheyenne Lute and Emma Kawaiaea combined on a three-hitter and Precious Meyers batted 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs as the Golden Hawks beat the Bulldogs.

Shayla Kaeo homered and drove in two runs, while Daria Kawaauhau batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Nanakuli, which scored in every inning, including six runs in the first to put the game away.

Honiala Strong drove in both runs for Waialua.

Danielle Maxwell and Laola Pang. Cheyenne Lute, Emma Kawaiaea (4) and Kaila Burnett. W–Lute. L–Maxwell.

Leading hitters–Waialua: Honiala Strong 2-2, 2b, 3b, 2 RBIs; Andrea Dicion 2b. Nanakuli: Precious Meyers 2-2, HR, 3 RBIs; Burnett 2-3, 2b; Daria Kawaauhau 2-3, 2 RBIs; Lute 2-3; Shayla Kaeo HR, 2 RBIs; Alohilani Hauhio 2b.