'Iolani kept its undefeated Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball campaign rolling with an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over visiting Mid-Pacific yesterday afternoon.

The No. 2-ranked Raiders received a three-run homer from third baseman Buen Hatanaka, as well as a two-run blast from Breland Almadova. 'Iolani has outscored the fourth-ranked Owls by a combined score of 22-4 in two regular-season meetings, including a 14-0 romp on March 24.

The Raiders improved to 9-0 in the ILH to pull ahead of Kamehameha (8-1) by a game in the standings. Mid-Pacific fell to 6-3.

Almadova has feasted on Mid-Pacific pitchers. The senior outfielder has racked up three of his six home runs this season in the two games against the Owls, also notching seven RBIs.

“;Being down in the beginning, we stayed calm and relaxed, and we knew we could do it one (run) at a time,”; Almadova said. “;Everybody backs each other up on this team—we're a family. That's how we pulled through.”;

Mid-Pacific took the first lead of the game in the third inning as Matt McDaniel walked and eventually scored on 'Iolani starting pitcher JR Bunda's throwing error. Wade Tamaru later grounded out to score Derek Tan, and put the Owls up 2-0 in what turned out to be their first and only lead over the Raiders this season.

In 'Iolani's home half of the frame, Jensen Park drove in Kevin Barayuga with an RBI single, and Almadova followed with a towering home run to straightaway center field to put the Raiders up 3-2.

“;That shocked us that they were that pumped up in the beginning, but nobody panicked and we stuck to our game plan and did what we needed to do,”; 'Iolani coach Dean Yonamine said of his team's comeback.

In the following inning, the Raiders chased Mid-Pacific starter Gavin Kinoshita, and pinch hitter Trent Miyashiro laced a two-run single to right-center field off Owls reliever Dylan Tawada to put 'Iolani up 5-2. The Raiders scored their first five runs on the afternoon with two out and stranded just one runner on base throughout the contest, while Mid-Pacific left nine runners hanging on the base paths.

“;We've probably had more two-out hits this year than we've had in the past five years together,”; Yonamine said. “;The guys are focused. They're just trying to make solid contact, so it's a credit to the kids.”;

Following Park's walk to lead off the fifth inning and a Jarrett Arakawa single, Hatanaka blasted a home run on a 2-2 count over the center-field fence, and gave his team breathing room.

Tamaru drove in two more Mid-Pacific runs in the seventh with a solid single off Arakawa, who tossed the final two innings in relief of Bunda. But the Owls' rally would fall short.

“;We got one (big hit) in the end, but it didn't count (toward the game's outcome),”; Mid-Pacific coach Dunn Muramaru said. “;They're hot right now, they have good pitching, and they're doing really well.”;

Bunda recovered from a shaky start to retire the final seven batters he faced en route to the victory, and striking out four through five innings.

Kinoshita took the loss, giving up two hits that led to four runs. He also hit three opposing hitters in three-plus innings.

The Raiders' victory sets up a crucial league matchup Thursday with the Warriors in a game that could determine the regular-season champion. The teams meet at 3:30 p.m. at Ala Wai Community Park, where Kamehameha will attempt to avenge a 9-6 loss to 'Iolani in the March 17 league opener for both.

“;It's a very important game,”; Almadova said of Thursday's contest. “;We're going to play our hardest like we did today, and work together as a team.”;

No. 8 Punahou 7, Pac-Five 2

Michael Suiter's single in the top of the fourth inning broke open a tie, and from there, the Buffanblu coasted past the Wolfpack.

Tyler Young hit a triple, posted two RBIs and scored a run for Punahou.

Damien 6, Maryknoll 1

Isaac Ventura dominated from the mound and the plate, leading the Monarchs past the Spartans.

Ventura threw a complete game two-hitter with seven strikeouts in addition to going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

OIA RED EAST BASEBALL

Roosevelt 8, Kalaheo 5

Cameron Fuchigami drove in the go-ahead run with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth to lead the Rough Riders past the visiting Mustangs.

Kaiser 8, Castle 1

Zachary Wong struck out nine and reliever Brandon Toriki went 3-for-3 with four RBIs to lead the Cougars over the Knights.

OIA RED WEST BASEBALL

No. 1 Pearl City 9, Leilehua 1

The Chargers used a balanced offensive attack to blow out the visiting Mules and stay undefeated.

Micah Nakasone registered six strikeouts in relief of winning pitcher Jordan Schwitzer.

OIA Red East softball

Kailua 10, Farrington 3

Kahuku 4, Kaimuki 1

OIA RED WEST SOFTBALL

Leilehua 5, Pearl City 2

FRIDAY'S LATE ILH SOFTBALL BOX

Saint Francis 15, Pac-Five 6