Mid-Pacific scored a run in each of the first three innings, then leaned on its defense and pitching in a 3-0 shutout of Saint Louis in both teams' Interscholatic League of Honolulu season openers at a sunny afternoon at Ala Wai Field.

Brent Sakurai and Deric Valoroso Jr. combined on a three-hitter, with Sakurai putting in 5 1/3 innings of work, striking out three and walking one to earn the win.

"We planned on him (Sakurai) going four or three (innings), but he went that fifth and got into the sixth, so it just kind of worked out." said Mid-Pacific head coach Dunn Muramaru.

The Owls got on the board first courtesy of a Marcus Doi single that scored Isiah Kiner Falefa, who was hit by a pitch to reach first leading off the game, in the bottom of the first, then padded the margin in the second and third innings on a sacrifice fly and then a wild pitch that brought home pinch runners Ryan Murata and Bryce Nagata, respectively.

"It just came down to execution and taking advantage of what the defense gave us," said Doi of the runs scored in the first three frames. "A couple of errors here and there and we just took advantage of it. That's what we do."

Saint Louis had its best chance to break through in the bottom of the fifth, as a Kaimi Umebayashi single set the table, and DJ Dureg's single put runners on first and second. Rayson Romero drew a walk to load the bases with two outs.

But Sakurai got the next batter to ground out to the shortstop, getting out of the inning on a force play at second.

Jordan Yamamoto went the distance for the Crusaders, allowing three runs (2 ER) on five hits in the loss.

Doi batted 1-for-2 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base, and Sakurai added a triple.

"Its a great start," said Doi of the season opening win for a senior-laden Owls squad. "We need to keep this intensity, keep this mindset going throughout the whole way. Win or lose, we want to end strong and hopefully get to Maui."