Senior ace Jared Pate pitched a four-hitter for the Buffanblu, allowing only one unearned run in the fourth inning when courtesy runner Kyle Sakamoto scored on an error.

Punahou (25-2-1 overall, 12-1-1) answered in the top of the fifth with run-scoring singles from Bucky Aona and Steve Dannaway. The Owls (9-5 ILH) advanced a runner to third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Pate got a groundout to end the game.

"This league is pretty tough," said Pate, who improved to 8-1 overall. "Anyone can beat anyone, so you've got to go out with your 'A' game every single time."

Pate said Buffanblu coach Eric Kadooka informed the team Wednesday night that they would be ranked in USA Today's first Super 25 of the season, which was published in Thursday's editions. USA Today is the nation's largest selling newspaper, with a daily circulation of 2.3 million.

"I think the whole team was stoked; it's a great honor," Pate said. "But we worked hard for it, and with us being state champions, I think we already had pressure on us. We just have to go out and play as hard as we can and not let any of that stuff affect us."

Rankings notwithstanding, MPI certainly did not show any signs of being intimidated early on. The Owls struck first after Jayson Kramer reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Sakamoto, running for Kramer, advanced to second on Reece Uyeno's single and stole third. He scored after the throw to catch him at third was wild and deflected into foul territory.

But Punahou responded immediately in the fifth. Landon Nakata hit a one-out double into the left-center alley and scored on Aona's ensuing single to left. Kasey Ko followed with another single up the middle, and Aona scored on yet another single by Dannaway.

The Buffanblu finished with nine hits, from seven of their nine starters.

"They deserve to be ranked," Mid-Pacific coach Dunn Muramaru said. "They can hit the ball."

The one-run lead was enough for Pate, who struck out five and walked none. The only Owls threat in the final three innings came in the seventh, when Nathan Rice had a one-out single, then stole second. After a flyout to center field, Rice stole third but was stranded as Pate recorded the final out on a ground ball back to the mound.

Punahou's next game is against Maryknoll at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ala Wai Field.

• PUNAHOU (12-1-1) 000 020 0—2 9 1
• MID-PACIFIC (9-5) 000 100 0—1 4 1

Jared Pate and Michael Chock. Jared Hara, Jayson Kramer (3), Conan Young (6) and Kip Masuda. W—Pate. L—Kramer.

Leading hitters—Pun: Bucky Aona 2-3, RBI; Kasey Ko 2-3; Landon Nakata double.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.

Kamehameha 7, Iolani 2

David Parrow spaced two hits over seven innings and Ryson Mauricio had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the Warriors over the Raiders at Aloha Stadium.

• Kamehameha (12-2) 220 003 0—7 6 3
• Iolani (6-7-1) 000 110 0—2 2 1

David Parrow and Stuart Kam. BJ Takushi, Ian Mopas (2), Robson Bunda (6), Jon Okada (7) and Riley Yamamoto, Jarvis Nohara (6). W—Parrow. L—Takushi.

Leading hitters: Kamehameha—Ryson Mauricio 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Nick Freitas 2-3, RBI; Eli Chee RBI; Makana Kitamura double. Iolani—Wally Marciel 2-3; Greg Hackler RBI.

Reported by Pua Hayashi

Saint Louis 6, Pac-Five 5

Keli'i Zablan batted 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs and Chester Wilson went 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs as the Crusaders held off the Wolf Pack at Ala Wai Field. Pac-Five scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning.

• Pac-Five (2-12) 000 100 4—5 7 1
• Saint Louis (8-5) 130 200 x—6 10 4

Ross Yamato, Levi Goeas (4) and Kama Moises. Gavin Mendez, Jon Katsuda (6), Kalei Perreira (7), Ryan Sasaki (7) and Justin Doane. W—Mendez. L—Yamato.

Leading hitters: Pac-Five—Ronel Trias 3-4, triple, RBI; Nick Miyamoto triple, 2 RBIs; Moises 2-3, triple, RBI. Saint Louis—Sasaki 2-3, RBI; Keli'i Zablan 2-3, triple, 2 RBIs; Chester Wilson 2-2, double, 2 RBIs.

Reported by Gail Juan

Maryknoll 6, Damien 4

Peter Kirst and Brennan Young each had a double and an RBI in the eighth inning to lift the Spartans over the Monarchs. Nick Holmberg had nine strikeouts for Maryknoll, which scored once in the top of the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

• Maryknoll (2-12) 020 010 12—6 8 4
• Damien (3-10) 220 000 00—4 6 3

Nick Holmberg, Peter Kirst (7) and Brian Tabata. Robert Cuizon, Duncan Ebert (8) and Kai Higa. W—Kirst. L—Cuizon.

Leading hitters: Maryknoll—Kirst double; Brennan Young 3-4, double; Holmberg 2-4, double, 2 runs. Damien—Higa triple; Christian Stephenson 2-4; T.J. Esclito 2-4, 2 doubles; Ebert double, 2 RBIs.