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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, May 7, 2009

Fujimoto pitches Punahou to 2-0 win

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jeremy Fujimoto pitched a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts and Punahou scored two unearned runs in the first inning to defeat Campbell, 2-0, last night in the first round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball State Championships.

The five-time defending champ Buffanblu, who finished third in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, improved to 12-8 in the regular and postseason and will face No. 1 seed and O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Pearl City (15-0) in tonight's feature quarterfinal at Les Murakami Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 7.

Punahou scored its only runs last night on a dropped fly ball between the pitcher's mound and first base with two outs in the top of the first inning, allowing Michael Suiter to come home from third base and courtesy runner Brian Suite to score from second.

Suiter had singled to lead off and advanced to second on Evan Lim's sacrifice bunt before taking third on Tyler Young's single to left field. Suite then stole second.

Kainoa Crowell then hit a high fly ball that three Sabers converged on, before it fell out of one of their gloves.

Campbell (9-7) loaded the bases with two outs in the second, but Fujimoto got a fly ball to left to escape the jam. He then retired the next 14 batters in order — including nine strikeouts — before Robert Kahana III reached on an infield error with two outs in the seventh.

Fujimoto then got a strikeout to end the game.

Charles Ka'alekahi pitched a six-hitter for the Sabers, who finished fourth in the OIA.

Ka'alekahi allowed only one runner past second base over the final six innings.

PUNAHOU (12-8) 200 000 0—2 6 1

CAMPBELL (9-7) 000 000 0—0 2 3

Jeremy Fujimoto and Tyler Young. Charles Kaalekahi and Keanu Kapana. W — Fujimoto. L — Kaalekahi.

Leading hitters — Punahou: Michael Suiter 2-4; Evan Lim double. Campbell: none.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.