HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Top-ranked Buffanblu rally past Owls to remain perfect
The Big Buffanblu Machine that is the Punahou baseball team is running at full throttle, and so far, no opponent has found a way to stop it.
Despite trailing by one in the second inning, three-time defending state champion No. 1 Punahou rallied for a 4-1 victory over No. 4 Mid-Pacific in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball game yesterday afternoon at Iolani School. The Buffanblu improved to a perfect 8-0 in league play, and did so by scoring three of their four runs with two outs.
"You've got to be mentally tough (to win) in this league," said Punahou head coach Eric Kadooka. "To respond when somebody scores, that's what you try to train your team to do. But it takes three or four guys to execute and get that run back."
Buffanblu starter Jeeter Ishida continued his dominance on the mound as last year's Star Bulletin Pitcher of the Year picked up his fourth victory of the season, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and striking out two Owls in the complete-game effort. The junior allowed one walk, and threw 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes.
"That first run came off a bad hop (off second base), but this team doesn't give up," Ishida said. "If you answer every time, they put up a run and then we come back and put up one or two, that hurts their morale. I always feel like I'm winning when I'm pitching. That helps me a lot because I don't feel like I have to do it all myself. I just throw the ball over the plate and let my defense take care of the rest."
The Buffanblu tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Zachary Kometani led off with a double, and first baseman Paul Snieder laced a double to left field that brought home courtesy runner Shane Yoshiyama from second.
Punahou took the lead one inning later when Joshua Bninski, who had reached on a fielder's choice and moved to third on designated hitter Tyler Young's two-out single, came home when Owl starting pitcher Matthew McDaniel balked during his delivery. It appeared as if Young's attempt to steal second base distracted the lefthander, who was just about to plant his right leg and release the ball, but instead, tried to stop his momentum with the hope of getting Young caught in a rundown.
Kometani gave his squad some breathing room in the fifth inning with a clutch single past shortstop Wade Tamaru which plated Yoshiyama and Bninski from third and second, respectively. The 4-1 lead would stand as Mid-Pacific (4-3 ILH) could not get a runner past second base over the final four innings.
"Everybody has their own offensive strategy, but right now we're just going to stick with what works," said Kadooka. "We try to put runners in scoring position because runs are so vital, and they're valued so much especially when you've got two great pitchers (competing). We've got to hit to win."
At Iolani field
Mid-Pacific (4-3) |
010 |
000 |
0 |
-- |
1 |
4 |
0
|
Punahou (8-0) |
011 |
020 |
x |
-- |
4 |
7 |
2 |
Matthew McDaniel and Aaron Fujiki. Jeeter Ishida and Zachary Kometani. W--Ishida. L--McDaniel.
Leading hitters--Pun: Kometani 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Paul Snieder 2b, RBI; Joshua Bninski 2 runs; Reece Kiriu 2b.
No. 2 Iolani 6, Pac-Five 4
Reyn Nagamine drove in three runs during a six-run seventh inning as the Raiders came from behind to knock off the Wolfpack.
Kama Moises drove in all three Pac-Five runs as starting pitcher Tyler Simao took a shutout into the last inning before struggling. JR Bunda picked up the save for Iolani.
At Iolani field
Iolani (7-2) |
000 |
000 |
6 |
-- |
6 |
7 |
3
|
Pac-Five (0-9) |
002 |
001 |
1 |
-- |
4 |
4 |
0 |
Dustin Shitanishi, Sheldon Lee (3), JR Bunda (7) and Grant Iwamoto. Tyler Simao, Tony Onitsuka (7), Ryan DeMello (7) and Reid Morihara. W--Lee. L--Simao. S--Bunda.
Leading hitters--Iol: Rylan Morihara 2-3; Reyn Nagamine 3 RBIs. Pac: Kama Moises 2-3, 3 RBIs.
Damien 9, Saint Louis 2
Duncan Ebert gave up six hits and two runs in recording a complete game victory, and also had two hits and drove in a run as the Monarchs defeated the Crusaders.
Brennan Alejo tripled and had three RBIs for Damien. Jayson Fukumoto was the only Crusader with two hits.
At Iolani field
Damien (4-5) |
310 |
101 |
3 |
-- |
9 |
11 |
3
|
Saint Louis (1-7) |
010 |
001 |
0 |
-- |
2 |
6 |
2 |
Duncan Ebert and Darby Ventura. Grant Costa, Jaeron Nakasone (7) and Keoni Haina. W--Ebert. L--Costa.
Leading hitters--Dam: Ebert 2-3, 2b, RBI; Brennan Alejo 3b, 3 RBIs; Michael Memea 2b, RBI; Dylan Mopas 2-2, RBI. StL: Jayson Fukumoto 2-3.