The seven-time defending state champion Buffanblu improved to 7-5 in ILH play and positioned themselves for yet another run at a state tournament berth. Saint Louis (14-1) could have clinched at least a share of first place with a victory, but now will have to wait until the April 19 game between Mid-Pacific (12-3) and Punahou, or later.

As for the Buffanblu, they must win five of their remaining six games to clinch at least a tie for second place. The ILH will receive only two state tournament berths this season.

"Every day, we're going to keep fighting," said Punahou senior left fielder Michael Suiter, who went 1 for 3 with two RBIs on Monday. "I definitely believe we can do it."

Monday's comeback victory certainly evoked memories of past Buffanblu late-season rallies.

The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Tre Haliburton-Goeas doubled with one out and scored on Kaeo Aliviado's single to center field. Punahou tied it in the second when Nathan Higa tripled to center and scored on a delayed steal.

Saint Louis then took a 5-1 lead in the third on four hits -- highlighted by run-scoring singles from Derek Nakasato and Ka'ai Tom sandwiched around Kalei Contrades' RBI double -- plus an error and wild pitch.

But Punahou exploded for seven runs on five hits and three walks in the fourth, starting with Kainoa Harrison's sacrifice fly followed by three straight run-scoring singles from Noah Willey, Jordan Hirai and Rolenn Himuro, a wild pitch and Suiter's two-run single to left. Four of the runs came after two outs.

In Saturday's 6-1 victory over the Buffanblu, Crusaders coach George Gusman allowed starter Aliviado to stay in the game with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, and Aliviado got two straight strikeouts to escape the jam.

"Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you," Gusman said. "(Punahou) outplayed us today, they hit the ball."

Saint Louis closed it to 8-7 in the fifth on Tom's two-run double to center, but Higa came on in relief and retired eight of the nine batters he faced to earn the save.

Willey went 2 for 3 and Rick Nomura went 2 for 4. Tom went 2 for 3 and Contrades finished 2 for 4.

The Buffanblu face Pac-Five at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"As long as it's still mathematically possible (to earn the state tournament berth), we just have to do the same thing again, get to the next game," Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said.