Mid-Pacific's Chase Wago throws a pitch to home plate against Punahou. Evan Asato | SL

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MANOA - On a breezy, chilly night, it was as if a perfect storm brewed up for the coaching debut of Punahou's Keenan Sue.

The inexperienced Buffanblu stumbled out of the blocks and Mid-Pacific Institute rolled to a six-inning, 10-0, mercy-rule win in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I season opener at Les Murakami Stadium.

The deck was stacked against the Buffanblu, who had one returning starter on the field. Punahou was playing the defending ILH champions against one of the best pitchers in the state in All-Hawaii second-team pitcher Chase Wago under the lights in an NCAA Division I facility.

"I think these guys were nervous," Sue said. "We're playing under the lights. They were prepared, but I think it got away from us early. They stayed in it as long as they could have. It just didn't go our way tonight."

An error by shortstop Jantzen Tamanaha and a balk by Punahou starter Riley Guieb led to two runs for MPI in the bottom of the first inning. The Owls then sent nine batters to the plate in a four-run second to chase Guieb after one-plus inning. Noah Shackles' two-run single made it 6-0 and ended Guieb's night. In all, the Buffanblu committed four errors, leading to four unearned runs.

"We put out eight brand new guys out there," Sue said. "They took their licks tonight, but I think it will build some character for them."

The experienced Owls seemed to thrive under the lights on the stage that will host the state tournament in May.

"It's a bit overwhelming, opening at Les Murakami, playing under the lights," said Shackles, who led the Owls with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. "We just had to stick to our game, stay focused, try not to do too much…Obviously, it's the nicest place to play in the state. It's definitely a good experience."

It did not help the Buffanblu that the left-handed Wago was sharp and efficient in his five innings. He allowed only a two-out, first-inning single to Noah Goss, who was caught going to second on Wago's pick-off throw to first to end the inning. Wago, a junior, then retired the next 12 in a row, striking out four with no walks allowed. He threw 45 pitches, 32 for strikes. Grant Doi pitched a scoreless sixth, allowing a single after an error that put a Punahou runner on second the only time in the game.

"He just hits his spots, follows the plan," said Shackles, Wago's battery mate. "The coaches provide us with a good game plan. As long as we follow that plan, we'll be fine."

The bright spot for Punahou was the outing by relief pitcher Kekoa Vieira. The left-hander pitched four innings, allowing three runs, all unearned because of two errors in the fourth inning, He gave up two hits and a walk, while striking out four.

"He threw some strikes," Sue said. "We just had a couple of bad plays in there."

Vieira came out late for the team. Not too many baseball players also are on the swim team.

"It's probably the first time we've had (that combination)," Sue said. "He's a good kid. They're all good kids. They're going to go home, lick their wounds and come out and play Saint Louis tomorrow."

The game ended in the bottom of the sixth. Sean Kinel led off with a flare single behind shortstop. Owls' coach Dunn Muramaru sent up three consecutive pinch hitters. Matt Kimura's single to right sent Kinel to second and Michael Ihara's single to center loaded the bases with no out for Jared Fujiwara. Kinel scored on Fujiwara's foul fly out to right to plate the 10th run to end the game on the mercy rule.