Crusaders' pitching struggles benefit Buffanblu

Ryan Nishi comes in for a three-RBI stand-up triple in the top of the first inning. Spencer Honda | SL

WAIPAHU — Down early in a 12-0 hole, the Saint Louis Crusaders crawled their way out and nearly marched themselves to victory but ultimately fell to Punahou, 12-8, Wednesday evening at Hans L'Orange Field in a make-up game that was originally scheduled for April 5.

The game saw 11 different pitchers come into the game on the rubber. For both teams, it was a matter of conservation as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu second round double-elimination tournament starts this Saturday.

But early on for the Crusaders, it was the lack of ability to find the strike zone.

Four pitchers combined to give up nine of the team's 10 total walks which included a stretch of six straight batters given a free trip to first base.

In the top of the first inning, Ryan Nishi cashed in with a bases clearing triple to go up 3-0. Nishi also had a sacrifice fly for another run batted in. Kalae Harrison, Ola Aina and Kyson Donahue also each had RBI hits. The rest of the Buffanblu's runs came home on wild pitches, a balk or bases loaded walks.

Saint Louis marched its way back into the game with runs in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Noah Tory clutched up twice with an RBI single for the Crusaders' first run in the bottom of the second, and then again in the bottom of the fifth for another RBI to make it 12-5.

In contrast to Saint Louis, Punahou gave up only five walks with each of its five pitchers giving up one. However, they also hit three batsmen, two of which came in the final frame.

Slater Pang started the bottom of the seventh on the mound but gave up a lead-off walk and a single. Kyson Donahue was brought in from shortstop but pelted a batter, got a strikeout, beaned another batter and then walked the next batter to make it just a four-run game. Donahue settled in and fanned Daniel Tucher and Patrick Coronas to retire the side and preserve the win.

Punahou improved to 11-3 and will play Iolani on Friday in a continuation of a game that was originally started on April 13 but was suspended in the bottom of the second inning with the Raiders leading 7-2. It will resume from that point on Friday.

A Buffanblu win would tie them with Mid-Pacific (12-3) atop the ILH D1 standings to force a playoff game on Saturday to determine a round one winner, who would also clinch one of the league's three state tournament berths.

If there is a playoff, it would push back the entire second round tournament to instead start Monday, April 23.

The Crusaders fell to 6-9 and will have the fifth seed, taking on fourth-seeded Kamehameha.