Punahou backs up
No. 1 ranking

The defending state champions prefer to live away from the spotlight, but they just keep doing things that shine.

Punahou, coming off regular-season-opening wins over Damien and Kamehameha, collected eight of nine first-place votes to remain atop the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10 today.

The Buffanblu (15-1) are 2-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, including Saturday's amazing performance. Jared Pate no-hit then-No. 4 Kamehameha in an 11-0, five-inning win.

Mid-Pacific, which opened ILH play with a win over Pac-Five, remained at No. 2. Saint Louis zoomed up two positions to No. 3 after defeating Maryknoll and Iolani.

Mililani, which is playing at the Horizon tournament in Arizona, slipped a spot to No. 4 after being idle last week.

"We're going to check out Arizona State's game," coach Dean Sato said by phone on Saturday.

Kaiser raised eyebrows after the panel voted the Cougars No. 6 last week despite a 5-10 start. The Cougars swept through Waianae's Leeward tournament last week, topping Waipahu, Pearl City and Leilehua. Now 8-10, Kaiser remained in the sixth slot.

Baldwin, with a sweep of Hana, improved to 2-0 in Maui Interscholastic League play (9-2 overall). Leilehua, Iolani and Aiea round out the Top 10.