Kamehameha-Hawai'i got clutch pitching to snuff potential big innings and hold off Kailua, 5-3, last night in an opening-round game of the Wally Yonamine Foundation state baseball tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Warriors (12-3) play fourth-seeded Saint Anthony (10-3) in a quarterfinal at 11:30 a.m. today. It is their first advancement in the state tournament.

The Surfriders (11-3) will play Mililani at 10 a.m. tomorrow in a consolation-bracket game at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

"It's great for our school," KS-Hawai'i coach Andy Correa said. "It's the first time for our school, so we're very proud of them."

Starter Keli'i Kimi pitched five-plus innings, allowing three runs (two earned), seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts to earn the win. Sophomore Kawika Cazimero inherited a first and second jam in the bottom of the sixth and retired the next six batters for the save. He made a strong throw to third on Kale Sumner's bunt to force a runner and squelch the Surfriders' sacrifice attempt.

"We know they have a reputation of coming back on people," Correa said. "My sophomore did a great job."

Cazimero said he was just trying to hit his spots.

"If the ball gets hit, I know my team's got my back," he said.

The Warriors sent eight batters to the plate in staking Kimi to a 4-0 lead in the first against Kailua starter Kili Vierra, who went the distance, allowing five runs, but only one earned. Two errors aided the Warriors in the first inning in which they got RBI singles from Kolten Wong, Trysen Cosier and Kimi, as well as an RBI fielder's choice by Russell Kackley.

The Surfriders chipped away. They got two in the third on Sumner's RBI single and a wild pitch. Kimi minimized damage by stranding three runners with a strikeout and popup to keep the Warriors ahead.

"Keli'i wasn't sharp tonight, but he battled and he has a lot of poise," Correa said. "That's what helped us."

Kailua pulled to 4-3 in the fifth on an error and RBI single by Rob DeMarsh.

The Warriors added insurance in the fifth when a walk to Kimi and single by Kackley put runners at the corners. A passed ball scored courtesy runner Ross Macanas.

"It feels wonderful," Cazimero said. "We just gotta come back tomorrow and work hard again."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.