Any remaining doubt about Saint Louis being a serious contender for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball championship was erased yesterday, when the visiting Crusaders rallied past 'Iolani, 9-3, in the ILH opener for both teams.

Saint Louis had gone a combined 8-23 in league play the past two seasons, but this year features several three-year starters who are now seniors.

"We have a lot of seniors, a lot of leaders and potential captains on this team," said senior center fielder Tamatoa DeMello, who went 3 for 4 with a double, triple and three runs scored yesterday. "We've been working hard; this is what we've been fighting for."

The Crusaders made a quick opening statement yesterday, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after three singles and a sacrifice fly to start the game. But the Raiders tied it in the bottom half, with Buen Hatanaka driving in the first run on a bases-loaded walk and Jarrett Arakawa scoring on Breland Almadova's sacrifice fly to right.

'Iolani then took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning after Grant Iwamoto walked with two outs, courtesy runner Jordan Nakamura stole second and scored on Kela Marciel's sharp single to left.

But Raiders starter Sheldon Lee, on a limited pitch count after re-joining the team following a long basketball season, was pulled after four innings and the Crusaders bats came alive again with two outs in the fifth.

DeMello started the rally with a double to left and came home on Danny Higa's single to left. Kyle Gonzaga followed with another single, then Moses Samia, Cole Shidaki and Keoni Haina followed with consecutive run-scoring singles to make it 6-3. Shidaki then scored on a wild pitch to give Saint Louis a 7-3 lead.

"Those all came after two outs, too," Crusaders coach Duane Fraticelli said. "We're gonna hit the ball, and we got some bounces going our way."

Saint Louis added two more runs in the sixth, on DeMello's triple to center and Higa's RBI groundout.

Josh Saio, Chris Chung and DeMello combined on a five-hitter.

SAINT LOUIS (1-0) 200 052 0 — 9 11 1

'IOLANI (0-1) 201 000 0 — 3 5 0

Josh Saio, Chris Chung (6), Tamatoa DeMello (7) and Keoni Haina. Sheldon Lee, Ronnie Hirokawa (5), Jarrett Arakawa (5), Dustin Shitanishi (7) and Grant Iwamoto. W — Saio. L — Hirokawa.

Leading hitters — Saint Louis: DeMello 3-4, double, triple, 3 runs; Danny Higa 2-4, 2 runs; Kyle Gonzaga 2-4; Haina double; Moses Samia 2 RBIs. 'Iolani: Aaron Fong double; Breland Almadova 2-4, double.

PUNAHOU 19, PAC-FIVE 4

The Buffanblu overcame an early 4-2 deficit and scored 17 combined runs in the final four innings Wednesday in the ILH season opener for both teams.

Josh Bninski (3 for 4, double, two runs) and Paul Snieder (3 for 3, two RBIs) led an 18-hit attack. The Wolfpack made six errors.

PUNAHOU (1-0) 202 429—19 18 2

PAC-FIVE (0-1) 040 000— 4 9 6

Reece Kiriu, Jeremy Fujimoto (3), Paul Tongg (6) and Zach Kometani, Travis Tanaka (6). Tyler Simao, Jordan Kamasaka (4), Ryan Unetin (4), Shayne Nakata (5), Joey Maekawa (6) and Reid Morihara. W — Fujimoto. L — Simao.

Leading hitters — Punahou: Matt Suiter 2-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Josh Bninski 3-4, double, 2 runs; Alaka'i Aglipay 2 RBIs; Kometani 2-4, double; Travis Tanaka triple, 2 RBIs; Kiriu triple; Jeremy Ioane triple, Paul Snieder 3-3, 2 RBIs; Landen Taga double; Tyler Hanzawa 2-4, 2 RBIs, 3 runs. Pac-Five: Ross Yamato 2-4; Tyler Moon 2-3; Ian Padeken 2-3.

Reported by Gail Juan

Read Wes' blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.