Mid-Pacific rallies past Punahou to snap two-game skid

Cameron Igarashi's bunt makes contact with the ball against Punahou. Evan Asato | SL

Third-ranked Mid-Pacific (6-2) needed a late-inning rally to deny upset-minded Punahou in a 6-5 win at the Owls' home field.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth and the Owls trailing 5-4, Noah Shackles reached first on an fielding error and later scored on a balk. Jarrett Lum struck out swinging for the second out, but a fielding error on a ground ball hit by Ryne Yamashiro allowed Yamauchi to come home, giving the Owls a one-run lead.

Punahou (2-6-1) had its best chance to score the tying run when Cole Cabrera singled in the top of the sixth. A passed ball and a fielder choice pushed the tying run over to third with two outs, but the runner was left stranded on a ground ball out to end the threat.

Cameron Igarashi and Yamashiro each hit a double in the bottom of the second as the Owls racked up four runs on five hits in the inning. Igarashi finsihed 2-for-3 from the plate with an RBI. Yamashiro was 1-for-2 with a run and a RBI, and Yamaguchi added 2 runs to lead the Mid-Pacific attack.

The Buffanblu countered with four runs of their own in the top of the third, as Punahou touched up Mid-Pacific starter Chase Wago for five hits, including a leadoff two-base knock by Bo Coolen.

Beau Branton was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Cabrera 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for the Buffanblu, who equalled the hit output of the Owls, but committed three errors to none for the home team.

Wago lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up 4 runs (all earned) on five hits with two walks, but Grant Doi and Noah Sills combined for 4 1/3 innings of work in relief, allowing just 2 hits and 1 run between them. Doi walked three and struck out two.

Punahou got four strong innings out of Noah Goss, who allowed just 2 runs and 2 hits. Both runs were unearned.