A year ago, Joshua Nakamura wasn't even playing varsity baseball after being cut by the Saint Louis Crusaders during tryouts.

As of today, the diminutive right-hander is one of the biggest reasons the Crusaders are heading to the state tournament. Nakamura permitted just one run in 4 1/3 innings and got superb help from relievers Noa Siegfried and Chris Chung for a 4-2 victory over Mid-Pacific yesterday, clinching the first-half title and an automatic state-tourney berth.

Saint Louis and Mid-Pacific had finished the first half with identical 7-1 records, forcing yesterday's tiebreaker at Ala Wai Community Park. Nakamura hadn't started a game this season, but had been a valuable reliever.

“;This was new territory for him,”; first-year head coach George Gusman said. “;Noa came in with the bases loaded and did the job.”;

Chung had pitched more than his coaches had wanted on Friday in a win over Pac-Five, but bounced back in the clutch last night.

“;He ran Saturday and yesterday,”; Gusman said. “;He was bugging me since Friday.”;

Saint Louis' defense, anchored by third baseman Kalei Contrades, played error free and provided gems at the most timely moments.

“;My defense was backing me up,”; Nakamura said.

“;Kalei made some super plays,”; Gusman added. “;He's been awesome all year.”;

MPI starting pitcher Ryan Muraoka, who allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings, took the loss.

Leadoff batter Jordan Fukumoto led Saint Louis with a 3-for-3 effort and Moses Samia went 2-for-3 with a key two-run single in the sixth. All four Saint Louis runs came on two-out base hits.

Mid-Pacific's leadoff man, Justin Protacio, and No. 9 hitter, Tyler Yoshizawa, each went 3-for-3, but the Owls were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They left eight runners on base.

Saint Louis, ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10, struck early against Muraoka. After Samia singled, Contrades doubled and Kaeo Aliviado walked, Ka'ai Tom drew a full-count walk to force in Samia from third.

Nakamura's hard-breaking curveball was effective for one trip through the MPI lineup, but the third-ranked Owls broke through in the top of the fourth, hitting the opposite way. Dane Fujinaka's single to right with two outs, followed by Jordan Obata's walk, set up a run-scoring opposite-field single by Cy Higashi to tie the game.

Tom led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and came home on Dallas Correa's two-out single to center, and Saint Louis led 2-1.

Mid-Pacific loaded the bases against Nakamura in the top of the fifth, but Siegfried came to the rescue. The tall southpaw struck out cleanup hitter Marcus Doi for the second out, then induced Fujinaka into a grounder to third, where Contrades stepped on the bag for the forceout.

Owls reliever Lawrence Chew snuffed out a threat by Saint Louis in the fifth, but ran into trouble in the sixth. He seemed sharp in retiring Kyle Watase on a groundout, but walked Kini Enos. Correa's sacrifice bunt was bobbled by the third baseman, Higashi, who made the throw to first, but Enos hustled around second and reached third. After an intentional walk was issued to Fukumoto, Chew was ahead 1-2 on Derek Nakasato before hitting him with a pitch to load the bases.

With two outs, Chew had an 0-2 count on Samia, who singled to left to score Enos and Fukumoto, and Saint Louis led 4-1.

Yoshizawa singled and Protacio doubled to start off the top of the seventh for MPI against Siegfried.

Chun entered and retired Nikolas Alarcio on a pop-up before Muraoka's sacrifice fly to right scored Yoshizawa from third. Doi then grounded to first for the final out.

“;Dunn (MPI coach Muramaru) and his crew, they never give up,”; Gusman said. “;We're trying to be like that.”;

Joshua Nakamura, Noa Siegfried (5), Chris Chung (7) and Dallas Correa. Ryan Muraoka, Lawrence Chew (5), Marcus Doi (6) and Dane Fujinaka. W—Nakamura. L—Muraoka. S—Chung.
Leading hitters—MPI: Justin Protacio 3-3, double; Tyler Yoshizawa 3-3, run; StL: Jordan Fukumoto 3-3, double, run; Moses Samia 2-3, two RBIs.

BIIF

W—T. Ishimoto. L—Kupono Correa.
Leading hitters—Waik: B. Aoki 2-4, 2 RBIs; C. Yoshioka 2-2.