The first three times Punahou faced Saint Louis, the boys from Kalaepohaku got the better of the Buffanblu.
The Crusaders also got the better of Punahou pitcher Geoffrey Moore. None of that mattered on Saturday on the first day of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu double-elimination baseball playoffs. Moore pitched 51⁄3 solid innings and the Buffanblu rode a three-run first inning for a 4-2 win at Ala Wai Community Park.
Moore’s guile and craftiness were at the forefront for Punahou (10-7), which placed third in the the regular season. He didn’t strike out a batter, but permitted just three hits and walked three.
“I tried to keep my approach the same, but today was a little special because Saint Louis can rake it,” Moore said. “I tried to throw more strikes, keep it low. Lots of outside fastballs and my eephus change-up.”
The senior threw just 79 pitches before yielding to closer Riley Guieb, who went the final 12⁄3 innings with two strikeouts for a save.
“Geoff has a great mentality. He’s a bulldog. All he does is throw strikes,” Punahou coach Keenan Sue said. “The high school nitro zone is around 72 to 79 mph, and he throws below the zone. He has natural confidence.”
Moore and Guieb quieted a normally potent Saint Louis hitting attack. The Crusaders (11-5) finished second during the regular season.
“We had a great week of practice, but it didn’t transfer to the game,” Crusaders coach George Gusman said. “We had way too many fly balls and we didn’t do anything to their defense. I don’t know if their second baseman, third baseman and shortstop had any ground balls all day. We faced Moore before. That’s what makes it a little disappointing.”
For the record, Saint Louis had nine flyouts.
“We have to give Punahou, their staff and players, all the credit,” Gusman said.
Chase Meilleur went all seven innings for the Crusaders, permitting eight hits with two strikeouts and two walks. He struggled early on, but his fastball began to move after the first inning.
“We were aggressive early,” Punahou designated hitter Noah Goss said. “Later in the game, (Meilleur) was a lot harder to hit.”
Cole Cabrera led off the game with a triple to left and Goss followed with a double to left, scoring Cabrera. With one out, Easton Takamoto grounded to short, where the ball was misplayed by Keith Torres. Andrew Matsueda then doubled to right-center, bringing Goss and Takamoto home for a 3-0 Punahou lead.
In the third inning, Goss singled to right, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Williams, and moved to third on a passed ball. Takamoto then flied out to deep right, bringing Goss home with Punahou’s fourth run.
Saint Louis struck in the bottom of the third. Jon Kea led off with a single to center and Hunter Guarco singled with one out. After Torres walked to load the bases, Charles Lopez sent a fly ball to center, scoring Kea from third. Moore than retired Taylor Meilleur on a fielder’s choice grounder to second, ending the threat.
In the bottom of the sixth, Taylor Meilleur drew a one-out walk and Brendan Uchima delivered a double to deep right-center, scoring Meilleur. That cut the lead to 4-2 and ended Moore’s morning.
Guieb set the Crusaders down 1-2-3 in the seventh.
ILH DIVISION I BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
No. 10 Punahou 4,No. 3 Saint Louis 2
At Ala Wai Community Park |
Punahou (10-7) |
301 |
000 |
0 |
— |
4 |
8 |
0 |
Saint Louis (11-5) |
001 |
001 |
0 |
— |
2 |
3 |
1 |
Geoffrey Moore, Riley Guieb (6) and Logan Williams. Chase Meilleur and Taylor Meilleur.
W–Moore. L–C. Meilleur. S–Guieb.
Leading hitters–Pun: Cole Cabrera 3b; Noah Goss 2-4, 2b, 2 runs; Andrew Matsueda 2b, 2 RBIs. StL: Brendan Uchima 2b.
No. 1 Mid-Pacific 4, ‘Iolani 1
Alex Oley allowed an unearned run over six innings and combined with Chase Wago on a four-hitter in the Owls’ win over the Raiders.
Mid-Pacific’s Trevin Tengan batted 3-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored.
At Central Oahu Regional Park |
‘Iolani (5-12) |
000 |
100 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
0 |
MPI (13-3) |
210 |
100 |
X |
— |
4 |
8 |
1 |
Jordan Iwasaki and Keene Tanaka. Alex Oley, Chase Wago (7) and Kyle Layugan.
W–Oley. L–Iwasaki. S-Wago.
Leading hitters–Iol: Landen Moran 2b. MPI: Ryne Yamashiro 2-2; Trevin Tengan 3-3, 3b, 2 runs.
OIA DIVISION I EAST BASEBALL
No. 6 Kalani 11, Castle 4
Connor Zalewski batted 3-for-4 with five RBIs as the Falcons rallied from an early deficit to beat the Knights.
Jarryn Wee added a double and three runs for Kalani.
At Kalani |
Castle (2-10) |
040 |
000 |
0 |
— |
4 |
3 |
6 |
Kalani (10-2) |
160 |
004 |
X |
— |
11 |
7 |
0 |
Maui Gaison, Jabe Kahawaii (2), Kody Lizama (6) and Jordan Harvest. Christopher Nam, Duke Fujii (2), Harrison Moy (5), Micah Kawano (6), Connor Zalewski (7) and Brandon Higashionna, Bronson Matsumoto (3).
W–Fujii. L–Gaison.
Leading hitters–Kaln: Jarryn Wee 2-3, 2b, 3 runs; Zalewski 3-4, 5 RBIs; Payton Awaya 2b; Kyle Sasano 2 runs.
Kailua 4, Kaiser 2
Keiki Kanehele-Santos, Matt Hanano and Cody Takabuki combined on a five-hitter in the Surfriders’ victory over the Cougars.
Kaiser’s Emmett Covello went 3-for-3 with a double.
At Kailua |
Kaiser (5-7) |
000 |
000 |
2 |
— |
2 |
5 |
1 |
Kailua (9-3) |
210 |
010 |
X |
— |
4 |
8 |
1 |
Jace Kaito, Justin Paaina (3), Alexio Smith (6) and Emmett Covello. Keiki Kanehele-Santos, Matt Hanano (4), Cody Takabuki (7) and Kila Thomas.
W–Kanahele-Santos. L–Kaito. S–Takabuki.
Leading hitters–Kais: Covello 3-3, 2b; Kainoa Craig 2b. Kail: Kanahele-Santos 2-3; Hanano 2b.
Moanalua 9, Roosevelt 1
Four Na Menehune pitchers combined to allow five hits and Cody Isa scored twice and had two RBIs in a win over the Rough Riders.
At Moanalua |
Roosevelt (6-6) |
000 |
001 |
0 |
— |
1 |
5 |
3 |
Moanalua (8-4) |
120 |
204 |
X |
— |
9 |
11 |
1 |
Dylan Nakatsuba, Matt Schewe (4) and Kekoa Lima, Maika Watanabe (4). Randy Tabura, Skyler Yamamoto (4), Ryne Oshiro (6), Andrew Oasay (7) and Kekaulike Kalua.
W–Yamamoto. L–Nakatsuba.
Leading hitters–Roos: Kekoa Lima 2-3. Moan: Dilan Casupang 2-4, 2 runs; Cody Isa 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Kalua 3-4.
OIA DIVISION I WEST BASEBALL
No. 2 Pearl City 12, Leilehua 2, 6 inn.
Torey Chun allowed two runs — one earned — over five innings as the Chargers defeated the Mules.
Pearl City’s Colby Hirano, Josh Kam, Matt Yokota and Ansin Mostoles each drove in two runs.
At Pearl City |
Leilehua (2-10) |
200 |
000 |
— |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Pearl City (12-0) |
241 |
005 |
– |
12 |
12 |
1 |
Nai Cordero, Ricky Tagami (2), Raven Demmert (3), Jansen Dangaran (6) and
Torey Chun, Dillin Hasegawa (6) and
W–Chun. L–Cordero.
Leading hitters–Lei: Dangaran 2b. PC: Colby Hirano 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Josh Kam 2-2, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Jacob Anoina 2-3, 3b; Matt Yokota 2 RBIs; Ansin Mostoles 2 RBIs; Keanu Nicholson 2 runs; Chase Yoshida 2-3, 2 runs.
Waipahu 6, Aiea 1
Kobie Russell pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts to lift the Marauders over Na Alii.
Waipahu’s Steven De Silva drove in two runs and Cole Phillips scored twice.
At Waipahu |
Aiea (5-7) |
000 |
001 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
2 |
Waipahu (3-9) |
101 |
040 |
X |
— |
6 |
5 |
1 |
Colby Narciso, Jarred Uyeda (4), Bronson Nekomoto (5), Jake Saum (6) and Jayvin Alcantara. Kobie Russell and Cole Phillips.
W–Russell. L–Narciso.
Leading hitters–Waip: Steven De Silva 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Phillips 2 runs.
oia division iI baseball
Kalaheo 4, McKinley 0
Kaliu Lapera and Thomas Capllonch combined on a three-hitter and Kekai Smith went 4-for-4 with two RBIs as the Mustangs defeated the Tigers.
Capllonch, who entered in the fourth inning, finished with eight strikeouts.
At McKinley |
Kalaheo (7-4) |
100 |
002 |
1 |
— |
4 |
9 |
1 |
McKinley (2-9) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
3 |
4 |
Kaliu Lapera, Thomas Capllonch (4) and Curtis Chung Jr. Royden Espiritu, Cameron Fernandez (6), Noah Diaz (6) and Elijah Vincent, Royden Espiritu (6).
W–Capllonch. L–Espiritu.
Leading hitters–Kalh: Kekai Smith 4-4, 2 RBIs; Gabriel Guebara 2b; Lapera 2b.
Farrington 10, Kahuku 0, 5 inn.
Chasen Castilliano doubled, tripled and drove in five runs to lead the Governors past the Red Raiders.
At Farrington |
Kahuku (1-10) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
3 |
4 |
Farrington (6-5) |
230 |
5X |
— |
10 |
8 |
2 |
Andrew Kohlert, Keawe Denis (4), Moon Pilanca-Parkin (4) and Moewaa Graycochea. Stanley Misioka, Kody Leiu (3), Brett Walden (5) and Brett Walden, Austin Riley-Echiberi (5).
W–Misioka. L–Kohlert.
Leading hitters–Farr: Chasen Castilliano 2-3, 2b, 3b, 5 RBIs; Walden 2b; Bishop Rapoza 2-3, 2b.
Radford 8, Waialua 0
Tjader De Alba and Jacob Nishitomi combined on a two-hitter and Dylan Lewis and Dominic Albalos each drove in three runs as the Rams defeated the Bulldogs.
At Waialua |
Radford (8-3) |
132 |
002 |
0 |
— |
8 |
9 |
0 |
Waialua (7-4) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
4 |
Tjader De Alba, Jacob Nishitomi (6) and Dominic Albalos. Matthan Hatchie, Royce Tashiro (3) and Mila Lele.
W–De Alba. L–Hatchie.
Leading hitters–Rad: Albalos 2b, 3 RBIs; De Alba 2-4; Dylan Lewis 2-4, 3 RBIs; Tayvis Passos 3b; Nishitomi 2 runs.
BIIF
Kamehameha-Hawaii 3, Hawaii Prep 0
ILH SOFTBALL
No. 2 Kamehameha 12, St. Francis 2, 6 inn.
Jordan Millwood batted 3-for-4 with a triple, two home runs and four RBIs and the Warriors overpowered the Saints.
Alana Cobb-Adams, Dallas Millwood and Mahina Sauer also homered for Kamehameha.
At Kamehameha |
St. Francis (4-6) |
000 |
020 |
— |
2 |
5 |
0 |
KS (9-0-1) |
532 |
011 |
— |
12 |
17 |
2 |
Kalyn Higa, Tiare Guerrero (2), Caryn Chinen (6) and Taiana Creekmur, Joelle Perreira (4). Mahina Sauer and Kyler Stephens.
W–Sauer. L–Higa.
Leading hitters–StF: Korrie Matsumura 3-3, 2 2b, 2 RBIs. KS: Alana Cobb-Adams 4-4, 2b, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Jordan Millwood 3-4, 3b, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 3 runs; Dallas Millwood 2-3, 2b, HR, 2 RBIs; Sauer HR; Stephens 2-4, 2b; Lia Tom 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Rayla Jacobs-Kea 2-3.
No. 7 Maryknoll 7, Pac-Five 0
Kahilu McNicoll tossed a two-hitter and Kamryn Kamakiwi and Logan Carlos each drove in two runs as the Spartans defeated the Wolfpack.
At Sand Island |
Pac-Five (5-4-1) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Maryknoll (6-4) |
301 |
030 |
X |
— |
7 |
13 |
0 |
Megan Yoshioka, Kiara Petersen (6) and Alisha Candelario. Kahilu McNicoll and Nohea Hee.
W–McNicoll. L–Yoshioka.
Leading hitters–Mryk: Kamalei Labasan 2-4; Hee 2-4, 2b, 2 runs; Mylee Enos 2-2; Kamryn Kamakiwi 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Logan Carlos 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs.
Mid-Pacific 3, Punahou 1
Jaeda Cabunac tossed a two-hitter and the Owls scored all their runs in the first inning against the Buffanblu.
Mid-Pacific’s Kaalea Hanawahine went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
At Punahou |
Mid-Pacific (3-7) |
300 |
000 |
0 |
— |
3 |
5 |
5 |
Punahou (4-6) |
001 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Jaeda Cabunac and Lia Nakamoto. Jolie Fujita and Janell Sato.
W–Cabunac. L–Fujita.
Leading hitters–MPI: Kaalea Hanawahine 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs.
oia division i east softball
Kaimuki 16, McKinley 8
The Bulldogs scored 14 runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally past the Tigers.
Kaimuki’s Kaela Nera batted 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs and Dacy Amond went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
At McKinley |
Kaimuki (2-10) |
001 |
001 |
(14) |
— |
16 |
15 |
3 |
McKinley (0-11) |
040 |
202 |
0 |
— |
8 |
21 |
7 |
Dacy Amond, Leilani Mauricio (6) and Lexus Mahiai. Pamela Espinda, Whitney Pauso (7) and Majorlyn McMillan.
W–Mauricio. L–Espinda.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Kaela Nera 3-4, HR, 4 RBIs; Mahiai 4-5, 2 RBIs; Amond 2-5, 3 RBIs; Sirena Titer 2-5, 2 RBIs; Faye Laforteza 2-4. McK: Pauso 3-5, 4 RBIs; McMillan 4-5; Madison Cristobal 3-4; Mariah Makuakane 3-4; Kristy Ho 2-4; Hokulani Dunn 2-4.
oia division i west softball
Pearl City 5, Leilehua 0
PB Kaaialii pitched a three-hitter with eight strikeouts as the Chargers beat the Mules. Pearl City’s Tita Saunders and Kristin Frost each hit a solo homer.
At Pearl City |
Leilehua (4-7) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
3 |
3 |
Pearl City (6-6) |
101 |
102 |
X |
— |
5 |
7 |
0 |
Kaena Nistal and Staisa Micky. PB Kaaialii and Hailey Yamaguchi.
W–Kaaialii. L–Nistal.
Leading hitters–Lei: Pomai Nahulu 2b. PC: Hope Casarez 2-3; Yamaguchi 2b; Tita Saunders HR; Kristin Frost HR.
oia division iI softball
No. 10 Nanakuli 15, Kalani 1, 5 inn.
Daria Kawaauhau had two home runs and five RBIs and Kama Kaeo and Mahina Piilani also homered as the Golden Hawks remained unbeaten.
At Kalani |
Nanakuli (10-0) |
250 |
26 |
— |
15 |
10 |
1 |
Kalani (7-3) |
010 |
00 |
— |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Mahina Piilani, Kanalei McCoy (1), Chalyssa Belford (5) and Kaila Burnett. Cherise Horita and Kylie Pagud.
W–McCoy. L–Horita.
Leading hitters–Nan: Burnett 2-4, 2 runs; Kama Kaeo 2-4, 2b, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Daria Kawaauhau 2-3, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 3 runs; Piilani HR, 2 RBIs; Kika Mahoe 2 runs; Keani Sonognini-Keopuhiwa 2 RBIs.
Aiea 15, Waialua 10
Chantelle Shimabukuro batted 4-for-5 with a double and four RBIs and Rayna Higuchi scored four runs in Na Alii’s win over the Bulldogs.
At Central Oahu Regional Park |
Aiea (8-3) |
420 |
420 |
3 |
— |
15 |
13 |
1 |
Waialua (4-6) |
004 |
510 |
0 |
— |
10 |
11 |
4 |
Chantelle Shimabukuro and Mikelle Gonzales. Kaedy Hatchett and Lea’a Puleiala.
W–Shimabukuro. L–Hatchett.
Leading hitters–Aiea: Shimabukuro 4-5, 2b, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Rayna Higuchi 3-4, 2 RBIs, 4 runs; Gonzales 3-5, 3b, 3 RBIs, 2 runs. Wail: Christel Agtina 2-4, 2b, 3b, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Andrea Dicion 2-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Mauie Hoekstra 3-4, 2 runs.
Radford 12, Kalaheo 4
Baileigh Susak and Honor Siu-Auelua each had three hits in the Rams’ victory over the Mustangs.
At Kalaheo |
Radford (7-6) |
420 |
040 |
2 |
— |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Kalaheo (5-4) |
400 |
000 |
0 |
— |
4 |
9 |
5 |
Kayla Dempsey and Honor Siu-Auelua. Michelle Sasaki and Elyse McCabe.
W–Dempsey. L–Sasaki.
Leading hitters–Rad: Ciera Frias 2-5, 3b; Baileigh Susak 3-5, 3b; Siu-Auelua 3-5, 2b. Kalh: Ruth Ilab 3-4, 3b; Tiffani Beach 2-4; Hope Spencer 3-4, 2 2bs.
ALSO
Aiea 15, Waialua 10