Thanks to high school's re-entry rule, Punahou pitcher Paul Snieder was able to finish what he started — sans five batters — in an 11-4 win against Kamehameha yesterday in Interscholastic League of Hono-lulu baseball at Ala Wai Field.

It was the season opener for the three-time defending state champion Buffanblu, who sent 12 batters to the plate in a six-run second inning. It was the second game in a week for the defending ILH champion Warriors (0-2) in a rematch of last year's state and ILH championship games.

Snieder pitched seven innings, allowing an unearned run, two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. He was replaced by Evan Yamamoto to start the bottom of the fifth with the Buffanblu ahead 11-1. All Punahou had to do was keep Kamehameha from scoring in that frame to end the game by the 10-run differential mercy rule. But Yamamoto gave up a single, ground-rule double and walk to load the bases and was pulled for Cheyne Okawa, who gave up a two-run single to Mitchell Kauweloa, a wild pitch that scored a run and another single before Snieder re-entered the game.

He didn't miss a beat, striking out the three batters he faced to end the inning.

"If anything, I was pumped," said Snieder, who had iced his arm for about a minute before being told to warm up again. "I was ready to go."

Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said he wanted to give other players a chance to play when he had Yamamoto enter for Snieder and sophomore Tyler Hanzawa replace junior Reece Kiriu at second base to start the fifth.

"It just got to a point where I was trying to get some guys in, but to Kamehameha's credit, they just hit the ball," Kadooka said. "(Snieder) did a great job of throwing strikes again after resting for about 15 minutes."

The junior right-hander was surprised at being called back.

"That's the first time I've seen it done," Snieder said of a starting pitcher returning to the game after being replaced.

But it wasn't the first time Kadooka had to pull such a move. He said several years ago, he not only had to bring back the starting pitcher, but the rest of the position starters after nearly squandering a 13-0 lead in a game against Damien. He said the Monarchs managed to pull to within 13-11 with the tying run at second before re-entering the starters.

Snieder is credited with the win. Despite pitching three effective innings of relief — one of the criteria for a save regardless of the margin of victory — a pitcher can get only get a save if he is not the winning pitcher.

"My slider was working pretty good," Snieder said.

He had thrown 43 pitches when he was pulled and threw 38 more when he returned.

Meanwhile, it was a different story for the Warriors. Because of its unusual schedule of playing games a week apart early in the season, Warriors' coach Vern Ramie staffed the game, planning to use a pitcher an inning. Teams in the ILH usually play 2 to 3 games per week.

Starter Kapono Chang, an All-State pick last year, allowed a hit in a scoreless first inning. Daniel Kawasaki, the losing pitcher, started the second inning, but hit two batters and gave up three RBI singles and registered only two outs before being pulled for Chris Pascual. Pascual gave up two singles and was replaced by Scott Fisher, who inherited the bases loaded and two outs. He struck out his batter to end the inning. The six runs in the inning were charged to Kawasaki, but were unearned because of an error.

"We were going to use all of our guys today," Ramie said. "That was our plan today. We have a lot of guys to throw. In order to compete (for the season), we can't rely on one or two guys. All these guys have to be able to throw."

The Warriors used seven pitchers in the game.

The Buffanblu opened their lead to 10-1 when they had nine batters up in a four-run fourth. Zach Kometani ignited the inning with an RBI double that was followed by an RBI single from Snieder, his second hit of the day. Evan Bisho's two-run single later in the inning made it 10-1.

Kamehameha's second error of the game led to Punahou's 11th run. The runner eventually scored on Kometani's sacrifice fly.

Snieder and Tyler Young were the only Buffanblu with two hits each. Kometani, Snieder and Bisho each had two RBIs.

The other ILH game scheduled for yesterday — Pac-Five at 'Iolani — was postponed because of rain.

PUNAHOU (1-0) 060 410 0—11 9 3

KAMEHAMEHA (0-2) 100 030 0— 4 6 2

Paul Snieder, Evan Yamamoto (5), Cheyne Okawa (5), Snieder (5) and Zachary Kometani. Kapono Chang, Daniel Kawasaki (2), Chris Pascual (2), Scott Fisher (2), Alika Pruett (4), Ashkon Kuhaulua (5), John Worthington (7) and Vance Nobriga, Lane Nakamura (4), Lester Akeo (7). W — Snieder. L — Kawasaki.

Leading hitters — Punahou: Tyler Young 2-4; Zach Kometani 1-2, double, 2 RBIs; Snieder 2-4, 2 RBIs; Evan Bisho 1-2, 2 RBIs. Kamehameha: Mitchell Kauweloa 1-3, 2 RBIs; Keoni Lum double; Parker McCready double, RBI.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.