Saito helps pitch Mid-Pacific past Punahou, 2-0

Mid-Pacific's Daniel Fentriss finished the afternoon with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with a double and an RBI in a 2-0 win over Punahou. Evan Asato | SL

Mid-Pacific moved one step closer to securing a seeded-berth in the upcoming Wally Yonamine Division I state baseball tournament, edging Punahou in a pitcher's duel, 2-0, in an afternoon contest at Mid-Pacific's baseball field.

Senior Trey Saito went the distance for the Owls, allowing no runs on just three hits, striking out two and walking just one. His counterpart, Buffanblu starter Dylan Combs also pitched well, holding the Mid-Pacific offense to just 2 runs (1 earned) on seven hits. He struck out three, but walked five.

Mid-Pacific wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as leadoff hitter Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on an error, but was called out at 2nd on a bunt attempt by Quintin Collier. Collier later stole second, and then came home on a Daniel Fentriss double to center.

The game remained a one-run contest in favor of the home team through six complete, but Punahou had a golden opportunity in the top of the seventh, as Jason Rosen rached first on an error, and was able to advance to third on a KJ Harrison single with one out.

That brought up Beau Branton to the plate, who lined the first pitch he saw to the second baseman Collier for the second out. David Ogomori, courtesy running for the catcher Harrison, got caught in no-man's land on the line drive out and was called out at first to end the game.

Fentriss was 2-for-2 from the dish with an RBI, and Kiner-Falefa also collected two hits on the afternoon.

Mid-Pacific will play host to Iolani Saturday at 12 p.m. wiith the winner advancing to the championship bracket final.