The ILH baseball race this year is no sprint.

It’s a marathon and a chess match. The Saint Louis Crusaders have taken that approach well, and with Saturday morning’s 8-7 win over Punahou, they are poised to claim second place in the regular season.

Pono Anderson went five innings on the mound as the No. 6 Crusaders overcame two errors and a botched play in left field to outslug the No. 10 Buffanblu (4-7). Saint Louis finished regular-season play at 7-5, which means Kamehameha must beat third-ranked Mid-Pacific in its final game Tuesday to finish in a tie with the Crusaders for second place, which would lead to a tiebreaker game.

For now, Saint Louis is in pretty good shape considering its slow start. At 2-5, the Crusaders were near the bottom of the ILH at the end of March, but with this five-game win streak, the Crusaders are in position for the league’s second state-tournament berth.

A runner-up finish doesn’t guarantee a state berth, not with the league playoffs looming next week. But it helps significantly. If regular-season winner MPI wins the playoff tourney, the second state berth would be determined by regular-season and playoff placing.

"It was a must win," senior right fielder Ryder Kuhns said. "Everyone has stayed loose and relaxed."

"We have guys with good work ethic and good attitudes," coach George Gusman said. "A lot of our guys didn’t play much last year. Preseason is one thing, but in the ILH season, there’s a lot of pressure. You have to go through it to know. Now they’re not inexperienced anymore."

Kuhns was one of the big bats in Saint Louis’ 13-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBis and a run scored. Punahou pitchers Kekoa Viera and Riley Guieb did what they could to change speeds, but the top four batters in the Crusaders lineup hit a combined 9-for-15.

Brendan Uchima, the fifth batter in Saint Louis’ lineup, delivered a bases-loaded triple to right-center in a lefty-versus-lefty battle with Viera. That gave Saint Louis a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Trailing 5-1, the Buffanblu scored twice in the bottom of the fourth. Matthew Nakamoto’s single to right brought Logan Williams home, and after Andrew Matsueda’s sacrifice fly scored Cole Cabrera, the Buffanblu were within 5-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, Tamanaha tripled to center and Takamoto reached base on a dropped pop fly. Noah Goss’ sacrifice fly to left brought Tamanaha home, and after Williams singled to center, Takamoto scored to tie the game at 5.

Punahou’s second pitcher, Guieb, had cruised through the fifth inning, but got into trouble in the sixth. He gave up a bases-loaded single to Travis Tanaka, scoring Mana Manago, and Kuhns spanked a single to left, scoring Torres and Meilleur for an 8-5 Crusaders lead.

That was enough for reliever Dawson Yamaguchi — just barely.

Punahou got a two-out double by Tamanaha, scoring Nakamoto. Takamoto then singled to center, scoring Tamanaha to bring the Buffanblu within a run. But after walking Goss to load the bases, Yamaguchi got Allan Dong to fly out for the third out.

Punahou then got the potential tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh but Yamaguchi caught Matsueda looking at a curveball for a called third strike to end the game.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Pono Anderson, Dawson Yamaguchi (6) and Taylor Meilleur. Kekoa Viera, Riley Guieb (5) and Matthew Nakamoto. W—Yamaguchi. L—Guieb.
Leading hitters—Saint Louis: Keith Torres 2-5, 2 runs; Meilleur 2-3, 2b, 2 runs; Travis Tanaka 3-4, 2b; Ryder Kuhns 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Brendan Uchima 3b, 3 RBIs; D.J. Stephens 2-4. Punahou: Jantzen Tamanaha 3-4, 2b, 3b, 2 runs; Easton Takamoto 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs.

KAMEHAMEHA 9, ‘IOLANI 2

Kekai Rios homered and drove in four runs, while Warriors teammate Kahoea Akau doubled twice and drove in four runs as Kamehameha rolled past the Raiders.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Corey Nakakura, Austin Jim On (4), Brandon Yanagi (4), Everett Lau (5) and Josh Inaba. Chase Miyasato, Danson Oliva (2), Ladd Ah Choy (4) and Kekai Rios.
W—Oliva. L—Nakakura.
Leading hitters—Kamehameha: Kahoea Akau 2-3, two 2bs, 4 RBIs; Rios 2-3, HR, 4 RBIs.

ILH DIVISION II BASEBALL

ST. FRANCIS 10, DAMIEN 6

Shawn Fernandez and Jansen Kupau each batted 2-for-4 with three RBIs and the Saints scored seven runs in the sixth inning to beat the Monarchs.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Kaeo Castenada, NA (4), NA (6) and Shiloh Kaeo. Ian Phillips, Zach Alcos (7) and Royce Torres. W—Phillips. L—NA.
Leading hitters—Damien: Shiloh Kaeo 2-4, 2 runs; Austin Ballesteros 3-3. St. Francis: Shawn Fernandez 2-4, 3 RBIs; Kreighton Tsuruda-Gaspar 2b, 2 RBIs; Jansen Kupau 2-4, 3b, 3 RBIs; Jered Yara 3b, 2 RBIs; Alcos 2-4, 2 runs; Micah Teal 2-3.

OIA RED EAST BASEBALL

KALANI 6, NO. 5 KAILUA 3

Matthew Beall pitched a seven-hitter and Reece Kakugawa drove in two runs as the Falcons defeated the Surfriders.

At Kailua

Matthew Beall and Bronson Matsumoto. Stone Parker, Isaiah Kaeo-Cash (4) and Dalton Kalama. W—Beall. L—Parker.
Leading hitters—Kalani: Reyn Shitanishi 2-4; Reece Kakugawa 2b, 2 RBIs.

NO. 9 KAISER 6, ROOSEVELT 4

Luis Omphroy batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Lincoln Lima had three hits to lead the Cougars past the Rough Riders.

At Stevenson Middle School

Noah Sakatani, Brandon Heu (6), Shawn Miyashiro (7) and Emmett Covello. Aaron Emoto, Hiram Kaikaina (7) and Jared Tamashiro. W—Sakatani. L—Emoto.
Leading hitters—Kaiser: Kamalu Simeona 2-4; Chase Hisatake 2-3, 2b; Luis Omphroy 2-4, 2 RBIs; Lincoln Lima 3-4; Shane Agbayani 2b. Roosevelt: Zacroy Nagato 2 RBIs.

OIA RED WEST BASEBALL

WAIPAHU 7, WAIANAE 5, 9 INN.

Steven DeSilva hit a solo home run with two out in the top of the ninth inning and the Marauders added another run on a passed ball in a win over the Seariders.

At Waianae

Oakland Scanlan, Michael Price (6) and Graysen Fuentes. Thomas Kaauwai, Jerzay Ramento (5), Tavita Lalau (9), Kaleo Chun (9) and Ejay Kuakini. W—Price. L—Lalau.
Leading hitters—Waipahu: Rustin Ho 2-4; Shiloh Baniaga 2-5; Fuentes 2-4; DeSilva 3-4, HR. Waianae: Ramento 3-4; Kuakini 3-4; Kaauwai 2-4.

OIA WHITE BASEBALL

AIEA 13, NANAKULI 2, 5 INN.

Jarred Uyeda batted 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs as Na Alii beat the Golden Hawks to remain unbeaten in league play.

At Aiea

Brayden Ramaila, Ronson Vea (5) and Zayn Kaaihue-Vasconcellos. Jaryn Nakamoto, Jarred Uyeda (4) and Makana Ah Yo. W—Nakamoto. L—Ramaila.
Leading hitters—Nanakuli: Joshua Lincoln 2-3, 2b. Aiea: Jarred Uyeda 3-4, 2b, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 runs; Chazdyn Quebral Acosta 2-3, 2 runs; Kobe Kato 2b; Ah Yo 3b.

KAPOLEI 12, WAIALUA 0, 5 INN.

Tristen Manoha, Joe Uesato and Cobey Fujii each drove in three runs and the Hurricanes scored eight runs in the first inning in a victory over the Bulldogs.

At Kapolei

Joshua Muniz and Matthan Hatchie. Jace Barayuga, Tristen Manoha (3), Bradyn Yoshida (5) and Mykah Kuratani, Tyler Hao (3). W—Barayuga. L—Muniz.
Leading hitters—Kapolei: Manoha HR, 3 RBIs; Joe Uesato 2-3, 3b, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Robby Oliveros 2b; Barayuga 2b; Cobey Fujii 3 RBIs. KALAHEO 24, MCKINLEY 0, 5 INN.

Kaliu Lapera pitched a five-inning no-hitter as the Mustangs beat the Tigers.

At McKinley

Kaliu Lapera and Tennison Cantrell. Christian Udarbe, Elijah Vincent (2), Dennis Pearson (5) and Royden Espiritu. W—Lapera. L—Udarbe.
Leading hitters—Kalaheo: Cantrell 3-4, 3 runs; Thomas Capllonch 2-3, 2b, 3b, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; Jack Bell 2-3, 2 runs; Kekai Smith 2-3, 3 runs, 4 RBIs; Zachary Espinoza 2-2, 2b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Abel Kanehe 2-2, 2b, 3 RBIs; Kaleb Gilmore 2-3, 4 RBIs.

FARRINGTON 24, KAHUKU 9, 5 INN.

Brett Walden batted 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs as the Governors beat the Red Raiders.

At Farrington

Moon Pilanca-Parkin, Morgan Capillan (3), Joe Purcell (3), Kainoa Nahoopii (4) and Keawe Denis. Paul Madamba, Derek Lazarus (4), Montana Liana (5) and Brett Walden, Joseph DeSagun (3). W—Madamba. L—Pilanca-Parkin.
Leading hitters—Kahuku: Pilanca-Parkin 2-3, 3 RBIs; Capillan 2-3, 2 runs. Farrington: Ranan Mamiya 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Walden 3-3, 3b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Austin Riley-Echiberi 2-2, 2 RBIs; DeSagun 2-3, 2 runs; Sheldon Lauama 2 RBIs; Keion Hirashima 2 runs, 2 RBIs.

ILH SOFTBALL

NO. 1 KAMEHAMEHA 3, NO. 5 PUNAHOU 0

Kamalani Dung pitched a three-hitter with five strikeouts and Mahina Sauer homered as the Warriors beat the Buffanblu.

At Punahou

Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Nicole Nishizawa and Sara Jinee Buck . W—Dung. L—Nishizawa.
Leading hitters—Kamehameha: Chris Hipa 2-4; Mahina Sauer 2-3, HR; Lia Tom 2-3, 2b.

NO. 4 MARYKNOLL 7, ‘IOLANI 2

Shearyna Labasan pitched a four-hitter with nine strikeouts as the Spartans beat the Raiders.

At Sand Island Field

Alyssa Espiritu, Kennedi Lopes (2), Katie Yuu (6) and Cassie Ho. Shearyna Labasan and Nohea Hee. W—Labasan. L—Espiritu.
Leading hitters—’Iolani: Macy Uyehara 2b. Maryknoll: Kamalei Labasan 2 RBIs; Kasey Magdadaro 2-3, 2b.

SACRED HEARTS 11, NO. 8 MID-PACIFIC 7

Kiley Ozaki batted 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs and Nichelle Chang went 2-for-5 with two RBIs as the Lancers beat the Owls.

At Mid-Pacific

Kaua Huihui-Awa and Devine Victorino. Breeze Morita, Kaili Akimseu (4) and Lia Nakamoto. W—Huihui-Awa. L—Morita.
Leading hitters—Sacred Hearts: Alexic Nono 2 runs; Colby Rosado 2 runs; Nichelle Chang 2-5, 2 RBIs; Jamie Toler 2-4; Makea Kaluau 2-4; Cassidy Chang 2-3; Kiley Ozaki 3-4, HR, 3 RBIs. Mid-Pacific: Jenna Kumabe 3-4, 2 runs; Nicole Lopez 2-4, 2b, 3 RBIs; Nakamoto 2b, 2 RBIs; Marissa Allen 2b.

OIA RED EAST SOFTBALL

NO. 7 KAISER 26, KAIMUKI 1, 4 INN.

Seli Aholelei batted 5-for-5 with two doubles, two triples, a home run and eight RBIs and Kai Hasegawa hit a grand slam as the Cougars defeated the Bulldogs.

At Kaiser

Dacyleen Amond and Kuuipo Sefo. Crystal Ching-Lake, Kai Hasegawa (2), Crystal Ching-Lake (4) and Hannah McDermott, Tiana Ching-Lake (4). W—Crystal Ching-Lake. L—Amond.
Leading hitters—Kaimuki: Dana Wilson 2b. Kaiser: Seli Aholelei 5-5, 2 2b, 2 3b, HR, 8 RBIs; Rainelle Matsuoka 3-4, 3b; Kai Hasegawa grand slam; Tiana Ching-Lake HR; Chelsea Soong 4-4, 2b, 2 RBIs; Crystal Ching-Lake 2-3, 2 RBIs; Marissa Oda 2 RBIs.

MOANALUA 3, ROOSEVELT 0

Kyler Tsukada pitched an eight-hitter with seven strikeouts and Na Menehune scored all their runs in the fourth inning against the Rough Riders.

At McKinley

Mari Foster and Destiny Holani. Kyler Tsukada and Makamae Kaleikini. W—Tsukada. L—Foster.
Leading hitters—Roosevelt: Tyra Wallrabenstein 2-4; Foster 2-3.

OIA WHITE SOFTBALL

NANAKULI 17, KALAHEO 5, 5 INN.

Autum McCoy and Precious Meyers homered and had three hits apiece as the undefeated Golden Hawks overpowered the Mustangs.

At Nanakuli

Jacqui Howard and Michelle Sasaki. Shalyssa Belford, Autum McCoy (4) and Kaila Burnett. W—Belford. L—Howard.
Leading hitters—Kalaheo: Sasaki 2-3, 2b, RBI; Howard 2-2, RBI; Tiffany Beach 2-3, 2 RBIs. Nanakuli: Daria Kawaahau 3-3, two 2bs, 3 RBIs; Burnett 3-4, two 2bs, 3 RBIs; Precious Meyers 3-4, HR, 2 RBIs; Ashley Van Gieson 3-4; McCoy 3-3, HR, 3 RBIs.

KAHUKU 9, FARRINGTON 8

Sabrina Alo batted 4-for-4 with two triples and Ritchie Ramseyer went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as the Red Raiders edged the Governors.

At Kahuku

Kaipo Castillo and Kaycie Okada. Jocelyn Alo, Tita Aumua (7) and Napua Galletes-Fernandez. W—Alo. L—Castillo.
Leading hitters—Farrington: Kailee McGloghlon HR; Castillo 2-3; Lisa 2-2. Kahuku: Sammy Aea-Kahana HR; Jocelyn Alo 2-3, 2b, HR; Sabrina Alo 4-4, 2 3b; Rylee Ramseyer 3-3; Jolynn Uli 2b; Ritchie Ramseyer 2-4, 2 RBIs.