No. 4 Saint Louis blasts No. 7 Mid-Pacific to advance

Michael Lasquero | SL

An early pitcher's duel turned into a Saint Louis batting clinic after the third inning.

No. 4 Saint Louis broke open the game with a seven-run inning in the bottom of the fifth to come away with a 13-3 mercy-rule win over No. 7 Mid-Pacific Monday afternoon in the ILH Division I double-elimination tournament at Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

Ryder Okimoto batted 3-for-3 with four RBIs, four runs scored and two doubles to lead the Crusaders, who tallied 16 hits to the Owls' four.

Saint Louis (11-4-1) will have a day off before taking on Iolani on Wednesday. Both teams are unbeaten so far in the tourney.

Jacob Villacorte earned the pitching win for the Crusaders in five innings of work on 82 pitches. He allowed three runs in the top of the fifth, but the Crusaders' offense answered in the bottom of the frame to give Villacorte the victory.

Mid-Pacific (10-6) will need a win on Tuesday to extend it season when it hosts Punahou at 3:30 p.m.