With one swing of the bat, Punahou pitcher Noah Goss turned a would-be loss into a memorable come-from-behind victory at Ala Wai Community Park.

The junior crushed a hanging curveball over the right-field fence for a three-run homer in the home half of the sixth inning to propel Punahou past ‘Iolani 4-2 in the opening round of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu postseason baseball tournament Friday evening.

Goss also pitched a complete-game gem, allowing one earned run on five hits to help his team advance to face top-seeded Mid-Pacific on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Owls’ Damon Field.

"I was looking for a pitch to drive," said Goss, who initially attempted to bunt with runners on first and third, but squared around prematurely when ‘Iolani hurler Bronson Ichimura threw over to first base. After forgoing the bunt, Goss explained that he "got a hanging curveball inside the zone and I swung out of my butt."

Fourth-seeded Punahou (5-8) trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth frame, but began its crucial rally when pinch hitter Heisman Hosoda singled with one out. Scott Nishioka then singled to right and the hustling Hosoda made it to third base with Goss up to bat next.

After the southpaw Ichimura remained in the game to maintain the lefty-on-lefty matchup, Goss turned on the belt-high pitch and rocketed it over the fence to turn the tables on the stunned Raiders.

Fifth-seeded ‘Iolani (3-10) attempted a rally of its own in the top of the seventh, as catcher Josh Inaba led off with a single. However, Goss remained unfazed and got designated hitter Devin Ide to fly out to left before inducing a double play to end the game.

"I was in the zone today and my defense helped me out a lot," said Goss, who was confident and efficient on the hill, needing just 63 pitches to get through seven innings. "I pitched to contact. I threw mostly fastballs today, so I put my trust in the defense and it worked out."

Following a 15-minute delay due to darkness in the fourth inning as officials attempted to turn on the Ala Wai lights, the Raiders broke a 1-1 stalemate in the fifth without a hit. With one out, speedy shortstop Matt Campos reached on a grounder when Punahou first baseman Easton Takamoto could not control the bouncing ball. Landen Moran then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the Punahou defenders forgot to cover third base on the play. Campos noticed, and as he sprinted to third, Takamoto threw the ball to the vacant space, allowing Campos to trot home.

"To be honest, I was a little worried, but I kept the faith and it worked out for the better," Goss said of the bizarre play. "We played a lot of games (during the regular season) where we had to battle back late, so we’re used to being here."

Punahou has less than 24 hours to regroup before facing top-ranked Mid-Pacific (9-3), which has already earned a berth into the upcoming state tournament for the sixth consecutive year by virtue of winning the regular-season championship. The Owls haven’t allowed a run to Punahou in 20 innings this season, outscoring the Buffanblu 21-0 in three league meetings.

"The advantage that we have is that we’ve played a lot of close games this year, and you have to learn how to win those games with clutch hitting and defense," said Punahou’s first-year coach Keenan Sue. "We’re riding a little high right now and these kids came out relaxed and confident today."

‘Iolani now must work its way through the double-elimination tournament’s lower bracket if it hopes to earn a shot at the league’s second state tourney berth. The Raiders are likely to be without senior third baseman Pikai Winchester, who suffered a sprained knee ligament eight days ago and will not be cleared to play until a specially made knee brace is constructed.

"I tip my cap to those guys," said ‘Iolani skipper Brent Shimokawa. "We just needed to get five more outs (before Punahou rallied). Our backs are against the wall — every game we play from here, somebody’s season ends."

Bronson Ichimura, Corey Nakakura (6) and Josh Inaba. Noah Goss and Matthew Nakamoto. W-Goss. L-Ichimura.

Leading hitters–‘Iolani: Kaimana Bartolome 2-3, 2b; Inaba 2-3, RBI. Punahou: Goss HR, 3 RBIs; Scott Nishioka 2-3, Nakamoto 2-3.

BIIF

Kamehameha-Hawaii 9, Hawaii Prep 4

ILH 

No. 2 Maryknoll 12, Sacred Hearts 1, 5 inn.

Shearyna Labasan struck out nine to lead the Spartans over the Lancers.

Bree Soma hit a double and triple to lead Maryknoll’s offense. Catcher Nohea Hee also picked up a double on two hits with three RBIs. 

Kaua Huihui-Awa, Kiley Ozaki (4) and Divine Victorino. Shearyna Labasan, Kahilu McNicholls (5) and Nohea Hee.

W–S. Labasan. L–Huihui-Awa.

Leading hitters–Maryknoll: S. Labasan 2-2, 2 RBIs; Bree Soma 2-3, 2b, 3b, 2 runs; Hee 2-2, 2b, 3 RBIs; Kamalei Labasan 2 runs; Shayna Ige 2-2, 2 RBIs, run; Kamryn Kamakaiwi 2b, RBI.

No. 3 Kamehameha 8, No. 8 Mid-Pacific 0

Kamalani Dung pitched a two-hitter with five strikeouts to lead the Warriors over the Owls. 

Kamehameha’s Dallas Millwood, Chris Hipa and Katelyn Mahelona each recorded two hits in the win. 

Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Kaili Akimseu, Breeze Morita (1), Akimseu (2) and Jenna Kumabe.

W–Dung. L–Akimseu.

Leading hitters–Kamehameha: Dallas Millwood 2-3; Chris Hipa 2-3, RBI; Katelyn Mahelona 2-3. Mid-Pacific: Marissa Allen 2b.