PUNAHOU DYNASTY CONTINUES, 5TH TITLE IN A ROW

David Kawada - Digital Sports Hawaii

dkawada@digitalsports.com

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A 4-run 2^nd inning was all that was needed for the Buff N Blu to defeat ILH rival St. Louis 4-0 for the Wally Yonamine Foundation HHSAA State Baseball Championship at Les Murakami Stadium on Saturday.  Punahou lays claim as the most dominant baseball program in the state winning their 5^th consecutive State Championship, and the 11^th overall, most in the State.

Iolani is 2^nd with total state championships with 5.

Mid Pac and Iolani are the only other schools to win more than 2 consecutive titles with 3 (1990-92 and 1996-98 respectively).

 Pitching always proves to be the key for a state championship and Reece Kiriu was in control for a complete game victory.  He allowed only 3 hits while striking out 8 batters and no walks.  Kiriu also went 2 for 3 at the plate.

Aside from the 2^nd inning, St Louis ace Josh Saio pitched a good game.  He struck out 7 and 4 of the total 7 hits he allowed were in that 2^nd inning.

Reported by Kyle Galdeira
Score by Innings                       R H E
-----------------------------------------
St. Louis Crusaders.   000 000 0 - 0 3 0
Punahou Buffanblu... 040 000 X - 4 7 1

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