The five-time defending state champions are on a mission.

Just don't expect them to answer the call in grim, somber fashion. No, the Punahou Buffanblu won their opener last night, and they did it with flair.

Behind a series of defensive gems by shortstop Ryan Yamane, the Buffanblu rolled to a 12-0, TKO win over Mililani in the Division I opening round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA State Baseball Championships.

A crowd of about 500 watched at breezy Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku.

Zachery Muenster, last year's state-tourney surprise as a freshman, went two innings before yielding to surprised reliever Alaka'i Aglipay. The senior righthander pitched extensively in the first round of league play, but hadn't seen much action since as injured hurlers returned to the lineup.

Aglipay, who also delivered a two-run single in the first inning to spark Punahou (19-7-1 overall), combined with Muenster and Ty Tirpak for a five-inning one-hitter.

Punahou will face No. 1 seed Pearl City (28-0-1) in a rematch of a quarterfinal game of one year ago. Punahou knocked out the Chargers in that matchup, but Buffanblu coach Eric Kadooka refuses to dwell on the past.

“;Their pitching. They've got quality guy after quality guy, and they're hungry,”; Kadooka said. “;It's going to be a great game. All the games will be great. Kailua and Saint Louis—that's off the hook.”;

Mililani unraveled on the diamond, committing six errors while Trojan pitchers issued 11 walks.

Their lone base hit came from Chad Bolibol, one of the state's hottest hitters. Other than that, it was a perfect script for Punahou. Muenster threw just 30 pitches and is ready to pitch tonight, if asked. So is Aglipay, though Jacob Ellis could also get the call.

Aglipay wasn't expecting to throw last night.

“;Coach Dook (Kadooka) said, 'Start warming up,' “;Aglipay said. “;It was like preparation for tomorrow.”;

Catcher Kaiana Eldredge gave Aglipay high marks.

“;He knows how to come in and get the job done,”; Eldredge said.

Muenster, plagued by a shoulder injury during the regular season, is ready.

“;I kind of wanted to be taken out,”; he said. “;I want to pitch against the best.”;

After jumping to a 4-0 lead against Mililani starter Micah Kitaoka, Punahou added four more runs in the second inning without a base hit, thanks to three errors by the Trojans.

Another four runs came in the third with a sacrifice fly by Eldredge and a two-run single by Ricky Nomura. Reese Toma's fielder's-choice groundout brought in Punahou's 12th and final run.

Pearl City, the champion of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, won't be so generous.

“;If you're going to win a state championship, you have to beat the best,”; Eldredge said.

Michael Suiter, who went 2-for-4 and scored twice, was loose and relaxed about today's showdown.

“;The hardest road is the best one to take,”; the senior center fielder said. “;No excuses. It's the best way.”;

Kailua 6, Kaiser 1

Ryan McMonigle went the distance, scattering seven hits, as the Surfriders advanced with a win over the OIA Red East rival Cougars. The 6-foot-1 junior carved the outside corner all afternoon with a tailing fastball.

“;He's not a hard thrower, just a guy who can hit his spots and change speeds,”; Kaiser coach Mark Rasmussen said of the right-hander. “;That wind was blowing in from right field and maybe 80 percent of his pitches were on the outside part of the plate.”;

McMonigle's one mistake, a hanging curve, left the park courtesy of Kaiser slugger Kaipo Oamiloa-Scholtz. That homer pulled the Cougars within 2-1, but they couldn't put together enough hits the rest of the way.

Alan Baldwin drove in two runs for the Surfriders, who will play second-seeded Saint Louis at 2 p.m. today in a quarterfinal matchup.

Campbell 4, Moanalua 3

Kale Kaalekahi went the distance as the Sabers rallied past Na Menehune.

Kaalekahi outlasted Moanalua hurlers Kamalu Kamoku and Jacob Fukuyama.

Campbell will face third-seeded Baldwin in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal game today.

Mid-Pacific 5, Maui 0

Four runs in the bottom of the sixth turned a pitchers duel into a victory for the ILH runner-up Owls.

Lawrence Chew went the distance, working at a brisk pace to strike out 10.

Alika Aheong was the hard-luck loser, allowing just one unearned run until MPI's breakout sixth.