Punahou's Aaron Tom connects on his second home run of the afternoon against Mid-Pacific. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Punahou's Aaron Tom rounds the bases after hitting a three-run homer in the top of the second inning. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Punahou's Matt McConnell throws a pitch to plate against Mid-Pacific. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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MANOA — Throughout the first two innings, a question was constantly asked in the Punahou dugout.

"What's the score?"

And the answer back to it would be 0-0.

But in reality, it was 16-0 after the first two innings of play.

Punahou caught fire early and often for 17 hits to beat Mid-Pacific in mercy-rule fashion, 19-0, Thursday afternoon in an ILH baseball contest at Damon Field.

The Buffanblu (2-0) sent their entire lineup to the plate in the top first inning and scored five runs in the opening frame before racking up 11 runs in a dominant second inning.

Punahou coach Keenan Sue said the call from the dugout has been a mainstay for the past couple of years.

"It's just our way to keep the guys focused and present," he said. "Baseball is a humbling game. Any time you get too high or too low, it's going to come back and bite you. We just try to keep them focused on the now by just saying ‘hey, it's 0-0.'

"It's not meant to be facetious or cocky or anything. It's just saying ‘hey, let's stay focused.' We just kind of say be grateful where you're at, but you're not entitled to anything so just keep grinding."

Punahou's Matt McConnell throws a pitch to plate against Mid-Pacific.

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_19030820_PunMidPbb_0297.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

The only trouble McConnell and the Buffanblu faced was in the bottom of the third inning when Mid-Pacific loaded the bases after two easy flyouts. Leadoff hitter Landen Hakkei got the Owls' first hit of the game on a short shot to the right gap and Travis Ito reached one batter later on the walk. Mackenzee Higuchi notched the team's second hit to load the bases, but Kodey Shojinaga fouled out to Hirano to end the threat.

Breyndon Nakamura was the losing pitcher for the Owls, who had six total players see time on the mound. None of Mid-Pacific's first four pitchers played a full inning until Jordan Fujii stepped in at the top of the third inning.

He kept Punahou off the board in 1 1/3 innings, but allowed three consecutive hits — including Tom's single shot over the centerfield fence. Fujii also took a bullet above his right kneecap from pinch hitter Hiram DeFries-Saronitman that took him out of the game. Colton Tanaka ultimately finished the game on the mound for the Owls.

It's Mid-Pacific's biggest loss since being blanked, 10-0, in six innings against Iolani in 2014.

The Owls (1-1) next play Division II's Damien (0-2) Saturday while Punahou (2-0) gets a break until next Tuesday against Saint Louis (1-1).