The time was right for the five-time defending state champion Punahou Buffanblu to regain their status in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Saint Louis was not cooperative. The Crusaders got a superb pitching effort from Kalei Contrades, who normally starts at third base, and held on for a tough 6-1 win over Punahou yesterday at blustery Ala Wai Field.

Home runs by Ka'ai Tom and Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy in the fourth inning off Zachery Muenster gave the Crusaders some cushion. Saint Louis, the first-round winner, remained unbeaten in the second round with a 4-0 mark (22-3 overall). Punahou took its first loss of the second round.

Contrades was shuffled into the starting role on the mound because some of Saint Louis' seniors were busy with a class excursion earlier in the week. The right-hander allowed just four hits in a complete-game performance. He fanned four, but also walked five as Punahou threatened again and again.

“;I thank my defense for backing me up. I wouldn't have done it without them,”; said Contrades, who benefited from three double plays en route to his second win.

“;Every ball we hit, they gobble up,”; Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said, recalling a diving catch at third by Contrades' backup, Travis Shaw, that led to an inning-ending double play.

“;When you have multiple guys, that's how you make a championship run,”; Kadooka said.

Contrades' fastball was popping from the start, but it wasn't until midway through the contest when he harnessed his breaking pitch that he settled down.

“;My curve ball started working. I started hitting strikes with it,”; he said.

Punahou (17-5-1, 2-1 second round) is still in position to claim one of the ILH's two remaining state berths.

“;We still have our chance. We'd like to win out next week,”; Kadooka said of matchups with 'Iolani and Kamehameha. “;It's up to us to take care of our business.”;

Muenster, surprisingly brilliant in last year's state tourney as a freshman, has battled injuries this year. His third start of the season went smoothly for two innings. He had Kini Enos down 0-2 on breaking pitches, but left a fastball over the middle, and Enos drilled it for a triple to start the bottom of the third inning.

“;Finally. I've been struggling,”; Enos said.

Kahalekai-Bermoy then turned a 1-2 pitch into a groundout to second, bringing Enos home for the first run of the game.

“;That was a great piece of hitting,”; Crusaders coach George Gusman said.

Muenster then walked four of the next five batters. Contrades walked with the bases loaded, forcing in Kyle Watase from third for a 2-0 lead.

Punahou got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth on Ryan Yamane's double off the center field fence, bringing Kainoa Crowell in from second.

Tom then led off the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch drive that sailed over the right-field fence, splashing into the Ala Wai Canal.

Two batters later, Kahalekai-Bermoy socked a deep drive to the center-field fence. Center fielder Michael Suiter's throw caromed off the steel light post in front of the fence, but Kahalekai-Bermoy was well on this way home by then for an inside-the-park four-bagger, and the Crusaders led 4-1.

They tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a throwing error by Punahou shortstop Kaiana Eldredge.

Punahou hit 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Zachery Muenster, Tyler Kanazawa (5), Scott Peters (5) and Reece Toma. Kalei Contrades and Moses Samia. W—Contrades. L—Muenster.
Leading hitters—StL: Kini Enos 2-3, 3B; Ka'ai Tom HR; Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy HR, 2 RBIs.

OIA SOFTBALL

Mililani 6, Waianae 1

Wehi Keopuhiwa and Kristy Keomalu. T.J. Fernandez and Rebecca Lee. W—Fernandez. L—Keopuhiwa
Leading hitters—Mil: Kristi Oshiro 3-3; Rebecca Lee 2-3, 2b, 3b, 3 RBIs; Candice Matsuda 2-2.