Even with four top senior pitchers away on a church retreat, Saint Louis was able to continue its impressive march toward the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball championship yesterday by stopping Punahou, 6-1, at Ala Wai Field.

The Crusaders, who won the ILH first round and already secured a state tournament berth, improved to 12-1 overall in league play and 4-0 in the second round. Punahou, the six-time defending state champion, fell to 9-3-1, 4-1.

Kalei Contrades pitched a four-hitter, Ka'ai Tom and Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy each slammed solo home runs and the Saint Louis defense turned three double plays in another impressive all-around team performance.

"They're tough to beat," Buffanblu coach Eric Kadooka said. "We weren't able to keep them off-balance, and their pitcher threw strikes. We were trying to make him uncomfortable, but Contrades shut us down with his ability to mix speeds. He has a good curve, and his fastball is pretty firm.

"They're playing with confidence right now."

Saint Louis broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning, after Kini Enos led off with a triple and scored on Kahalekai-Bermoy's groundout to second. Kyle Watase then walked, advanced to second on a groundout, to third after two walks and then scored on a bases-loaded walk to Contrades.

Punahou cut it to 2-1 in the fourth after Kainoa Crowell led off with a bloop single to right, advanced to second on Alaka'i Aglipay's one-out groundout and scored on Ryan Yamane's double to right-center.

But Tom led off the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch, towering blast over the right field fence that splashed into Ala Wai Canal.

One out later, Kahalekai-Bermoy slammed a shot to deep center field and rounded the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

Meanwhile, Contrades allowed only one hit and three baserunners total — none reaching second base — over the final three innings.

"I gotta give (credit) to my defense, they backed me up," said Contrades, a right-hander who finished with four strikeouts. "I was trying to get ahead (in the count)."

Contrades escaped early trouble after allowing back-to-back walks to lead off the game, then getting three straight popups.

"That first inning was huge, not allowing them to score any runs," Crusaders coach George Gusman said. "Fortunately, we've had different guys stepping up for us."

PUNAHOU (9-3-1, 4-1) 000 100 0—1 4 1

SAINT LOUIS (12-1, 4-0) 002 220 X—6 8 0

Zachery Muenster, Tyler Kanazawa (5), Scott Peters (5) and Reece Toma. Kalei Contrades and Moses Samia. W — Contrades. L — Muenster.

Leading hitters — Punahou: Ryan Yamane double. Saint Louis: Ka'ai Tom home; Kini Enos 2-3, triple; Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy home run, 2 RBIs.

MID-PACIFIC 21, PAC-WEST 0

Tyler Nishimoto went 3 for 3 with two RBIs, Dylan Oda singled, homered and drove in three runs, and Harrison Kam had two hits and three RBIs to power the host Owls in a game shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.

PAC-WEST (1-11, 0-4) 000 0 0— 0 5 3

MID-PACIFIC (9-3, 2-1) 423 (12)X—21 14 1

Alec Kimura, Christian Nelligan (2), Corey Nakamura (3), Shawne Hampton (3), Shayne Nakagawa (4), Kellen Abe (5) and Frank Perkins, S. Nakagawa (3). Kurt Okita, Justin Lee (5) and Dane Fujinaka, Joshua Donovan (4). W — Okita. L — Kimura.

Leading hitters — Pac-West: Kyle Nakagawa double; Daniel Muraoka 2-2. Mid-Pacific: Justin Protacio 2 runs; Nikolas Alarcio 2-2, 2 doubles, 3 runs; Landon Awada 2 runs; Travis Garcia 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Joshua Donovan 2 runs; Harrison Kam 2-3, 3 RBIs; Dylan Oda 2-2, homer, 3 RBIs; Tyler Nishimoto 3-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs.

Reported by Wayne Liou

'IOLANI 2, PAC-FIVE 2

The Raiders and the Wolfpack played to a 2-all tie in a game called after eight innings because of darkness at CORP. Kila Zuttermeister had two hits for 'Iolani, while Keenan Shigematsu and Ryan Uenten paired hits for Pac-Five.

'IOLANI (7-4-1, 2-2-1) 002 000 00—2 8 0

PAC-FIVE (4-8-1, 1-3-1) 000 011 00—2 8 3

Jarrett Arakawa, Carlos Rodriguez (7) and Tiras Koon. Landry Kiyabu and Bryson Kihara.

Leading hitters — 'Iolani: Kila Zuttermeister 2-4. Pac-Five: Keenan Shigematsu 2-4, triple; Ryan Uenten 2-3.

OIA SOFTBALL

MILILANI 6, WAI'ANAE 1

TJ Fernandez pitched a four-hitter, Kristi Oshiro scored three times and Rebecca Lee drove in three runs as host Mililani beat Wai'anae in a Red West game. Fernandez walked none and struck out three.

WAI'ANAE (7-3) 001 000 0—1 4 1

MILILANI (7-3) 030 102 X—6 10 1

Wehi Keopuhiwa and Kristy Keopuhiwa. TJ Fernandez and Rebecca Lee. W—Fernandez. L—Keopuhiwa.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Kristi Oshiro 3-3, 3 runs; Lee 2-3, double, triple, 3 RBIs; Candice Matsuda 2-2.

Reported by Rose Antonio

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.