Punahou opens season
as state’s No. 1

They're a mystery team to some coaches, but voters aren't quite as unsure about the Punahou Buffanblu.

Punahou, the defending state champion, garnered seven of 11 first-place votes to open the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10 at No. 1. Coach Eric Kadooka's team won the school's first baseball state title since 1989 last year.

Perennial powerhouse Mid-Pacific (10-4) collected three first-place ballots and is No. 2. Only four points separate the two teams.

Mililani, which won the MPI/Richard Kitamura Tournament nine days ago, edged Kamehameha for the third spot. Since winning Mid-Pac's tourney, the Trojans were knocked out of the running at their own tourney by Saint Louis.

The Crusaders (10-3) are at No. 5, followed by Kaiser, Baldwin, Iolani, Leilehua and Aiea.

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