There's another curveball in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball race.

Just one win away from clinching a regular-season title and automatic state berth, 'Iolani found an unwilling collaborator in arch-rival Punahou, losing 3-2 yesterday morning at Ala Wai Community Park. The loss dropped the Raiders, 12-2 in league play, into a first-place tie with Kamehameha, which defeated Maryknoll and improved to 12-2.

'Iolani and Kamehameha will play tomorrow for the ILH regular-season crown. The tiebreaker game could've been avoided, but both teams faltered in recent days. On Thursday, Kamehameha had a 9-5 lead at Mid-Pacific in the seventh inning, but lost 10-9.

“;We got the gift on Thursday,”; 'Iolani coach Dean Yonamine said. “;Punahou was tough against us the first time, too. We had our chances.”;

'Iolani ran into a suddenly hot Punahou squad at the wrong time. An error early in the game allowed the Buffanblu to score an unearned run and Alikai Aglipay knocked in a pair of runs against the best hurlers 'Iolani had to offer.

While 'Iolani and Kamehameha wrangle for a state berth tomorrow, dangerous teams like Mid-Pac and Punahou (13-10-1 overall), as well as Pac-Five, will rest until the league tourney begins on Wednesday.

That's why Buffanblu coach Eric Kadooka went to his bullpen often, using five pitchers in all.

“;We didn't want to extend anyone,”; said Kadooka, who led the last five Punahou teams to state championships. “;Wednesday is when we'll start throwing the kitchen sink.”;

'Iolani, ranked No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10, might have preferred seeing just one or two hurlers.

“;They purposely mixed up their pitchers to get them the work,”; Yonamine noted, “;but that made it tougher for us.”;

A win or loss made little difference to eighth-ranked Punahou (8-6 ILH).

Delivering the big hits left a wide smile on Aglipay's face. His single to center off Jarrett Arakawa in the bottom of the seventh brought home courtesy runner Travis Ganiko for the win.

“;They were mixing it up, a lot of curveballs,”; Aglipay said. “;(Arakawa's) stuff in the last inning, it was nasty, but I said there's no way I'm going to be the last out of the game.”;

Aglipay's game-winning hit came just moments after the Raiders had tied it at 2 on Trent Miyashiro's RBI single to center, scoring courtesy runner Eric Molnar in the top of the seventh.

Punahou's reluctance to use ace Jeremy Fujimoto for more than two innings paid off. Fujimoto struck out the side in the fifth, but was replaced by Evan Lim in the seventh. Lim got the win despite giving up two runs in the top of the seventh.

Tyler Tirpak, who was part of the five-armed Buffanblu armada, said his team is simply looking ahead.

“;We came out here loose. We wanted to get ready for the (ILH) tournament,”; he said.

Punahou took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Troy Hanzawa's single to left, scoring Brian Suite.

In the third, Aglipay doubled to right-center, bringing Roy Fuchigami home for a 2-0 lead.

'Iolani (23-8) got within 2-1 when J.R. Bunda's infield single turned into a throwing error, allowing Buen Hatanaka to score.

'Iolani won't have enough time to dwell on the loss.

“;We'll just get back on it. We'll be ready,”; Yonamine said of the matchup with Kamehameha. “;We're ready to roll.”;

No. 2 Kamehameha 11, Maryknoll 1, 5 innings

The Warriors scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to breeze past the Spartans in a game shortened by the mercy rule.

Saint Louis 8, No. 4 Mid-Pacific 2

With a two-run lead heading into the seventh inning, the Crusaders scored four runs on four hits to secure the win.

Saint Louis shortstop Keoki Lopez roped an RBI double and crossed home plate three times in the victory.

Pac-Five 4, Damien 1

Shayne Nakata allowed three hits over seven innings and struck out three to lead the Wolfpack past the Monarchs.

ILH SOFTBALL

No. 2 'Iolani 4, Maryknoll 0

Punahou 6, No. 7 Pac-Five 1

St. Francis 5, No. 9 Kamehameha 2

Sacred Hearts 2, Mid-Pacific 1