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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Punahou makes quick work of Mililani, 12-0

 •  Mid-Pacific opens with 5-0 win over Maui


By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

WAILUKU, Maui — Six-time defending state champ Punahou wasted no time in starting its march toward a seventh crown, routing Mililani, 12-0, yesterday in the first round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball Championships.

The victory — shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule — improved the Buffanblu to 12-5-1 in the regular and postseason. Punahou, which finished third in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, will face No. 1 seed and O'ahu Interscholastic Association champ Pearl City (15-0) in today's 4 p.m. quarterfinal at Iron Maehara Stadium.

"It's a great feeling," said Buffanblu senior pitcher/designated hitter Alaka'i Aglipay, whose two-run single highlighted a four-run first inning yesterday. "We've been there before, and it's just a different experience with these games."

Michael Suiter led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to left, advanced to second base on Kaiana Eldredge's sacrifice bunt and to third when Kainoa Crowell's fly ball was dropped in center field. Aglipay then followed with a ground single up the middle and into center field, scoring Suiter and Crowell.

After Rick Nomura was hit by a pitch, Brent Fukushima drew a walk and Reece Toma singled to left to bring home two more runs and make it 4-0.

Punahou added four more runs in the second, without getting a hit. Mililani (9-8) was its own worst enemy with two walks and three errors.

"We seemed overwhelmed by everything, being here and playing Punahou," Trojans coach Mark Hirayama said. "We played a little tight and didn't pitch well from the beginning, and when we did make good pitches, we couldn't make the plays."

Aglipay said the fast start was part of the Buffanblu's plan.

"Putting pressure on the other team and keying on their mistakes, that's definitely key," Aglipay said.

MILILANI (9-8) 000 00 — 0 1 5

PUNAHOU (12-5-1) 444 0X — 12 4 1

Micah Kitaoka, Cody Mark (2), Mikey Asamura (3) and Kacey Miyasato. Zachery Muenster, Alaka'i Aglipay (3), Ty Tirpak (5) and Kaiana Eldredge. W — Aglipay. L — Kitaoka.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Chad Bolibol 1-2. Punahou: Aglipay 3 RBIs; Michael Suiter 2-2; Reece Toma 2 RBIs.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com