Campbell's rotation of Kila Kapihe (left), Dorrien Villanueva-Hermosura (center) and Ian Kahaloa (right), not necessarily in that order, have given the Sabers a big boost this season on the mound. Steve Erler | Special to SL

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There have been countless 1-2 punches, as far as starting pitchers are concerned, in state baseball tournament history. But the top-seeded Campbell Sabers will enter the 57th annual version with a troika.

The Sabers (13-2), tops in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, can start their three-pitcher rotation in any order without any significant drop off. They have the top pro prospect in the state in right-hander Ian Kahaloa (4-0, 0.00 ERA, 57 Ks, 4 BB in 34 IP), who has consistently pitched in the 93-94 mph range. There is right-hander Kila Kapihe (3-1, 1.66, 33 Ks, 5 BB in 24 IP), who sits in the high-80s mph range and has touched the low 90s on occasion. Then there is left-hander Dorrien Villanueva-Hermosura (3-1, 2 saves, 0.29 ERA 33 Ks, 5 BB in 21 IP). (ERAs were adjusted for runs per seven innings.)

And even the other pitchers have been successful. Campbell, as a staff, has pitched 100 innings, allowing 16 runs, 10 earned, 44 hits and 30 walks with 151 strikeouts. Its team ERA is 0.70.

Veteran coaches, active and retired, cannot recall any team with three comparable starting pitchers. The closest might be Molokai's 1999 state championship team had a strong rotation of Ikaika Faraon, Keahi Rawlins and Ikaika Lester might be the closest. Lester pitched six innings of relief for Faraon in the 10-inning quarterfinals win against then three-time defending champion Iolani. Rawlins pitched a complete game in a 12-2 win against Hilo that ended after six because of the 10-run rule. Lester came back on one day's rest with a 6-2 win against then top-seeded Mid-Pacific.

But the best starting rotation might belong to one man: Glenn Oura.

The right-hander literally single-handedly helped Baldwin win the first two state tournaments in 1959 and 1960. He started all three games each year. Back then,  six-team tournaments were played when games were nine innings. That changed in 1989, when National Federation rules allowed for the more familiar seven-inning contests. Oura accounted for 21 of his team's 24 innings pitched in the 1959 tournament and 29 1/3 of 30 innings in 1960. He registered a 0.85 and 1.23 earned run averages, respectively. His feats will never be matched because in 1961, the tournament introduced the 15-inning per pitcher limit that is still used today.

Helping the Sabers is the opening-round bye, so they should have a pitching advantage with each advancement. It's a matter if their hitters will support them. Campbell will play 4 p.m. Thursday against the winner of the Maui-Moanalua opening-round game.

But having quality arms doesn't portend success. Campbell has lost in the semifinals the past two years to the eventual state champion (Mid-Pacific in 2013 and Saint Louis in 2014).

The tournament, sponsored by the Wally Yonamine Foundation, starts Wednesday with four games at Les Murakami Stadium. Campbell, second-seeded MPI, third-seeded Baldwin and fourth-seeded Hilo will begin play in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Here's a history of the teams:

Division I

#1 Campbell Sabers (13-2), OIA champion
Coach: Rory Pico, 12th season (111-62, three OIA titles)
11th appearance (12-14, 9-9 in championship bracket). One state title (1978).

#2 Mid-Pacific Institute Owls (12-3), ILH champion
Coach: Dunn Muramaru, 39th season, 29 at MPI, 10 at Kalani (413-164-3 at MPI; 490-233-3 overall, 12 ILH titles)
20th appearance (43-17, 36-14 in championship bracket). Five state titles (1990, 1991, 1992, 2002, 2013).
   
#3 Baldwin Bears (12-3), MIL champion
Coach: Jon Viela, ninth season (116-30, four MIL titles)
Record 41st appearance (52-59-1, 34-36 in championship bracket). Four state titles (1959, 1960, 1984, 1995)

#4 Hilo Vikings (9-4), BIIF champion
Coach: Tony De Sa, fifth season (58-24, two BIIF titles)
39th appearance (39-58-2, 20-37 championship bracket). One state title (1985)
 
Kamehameha Warriors (10-7), ILH runner-up
Coach: Tommy Perkins, first season
16th appearance (36-14, 31-11 in championship bracket). Four state titles (1980, 1987 1988, 2003)

Mililani Trojans (12-3), OIA runner-up
Coach: Mark Hirayama, seventh season (74-47-1)
19th appearance (23-28-1, 14-18 in championship bracket)

Maui Sabers (11-4), MIL runner-up
Coach: Chase Corniel, third season (34-16)
26th appearance (27-40, 9-24 championship bracket)

Waiakea Warriors (8-3), BIIF runner-up
Coach: Rory Inouye, first year
32nd appearance (28-49, 13-30 championship bracket). One state title (2012)

Kailua Surfriders (12-3), OIA third
Coach: Corey Ishigo, 17th season (214-68-1, six OIA titles)
26th appearance (41-30, 30-21 championship bracket). Four state titles (1965, 1967, 1969, 2001)

Kaiser Cougars (9-6), OIA fourth
Coach: Ryan Umemoto, first season
21st appearance (35-25-1, 23-18 championship bracket). Two state titles (1981, 1993)

Moanalua Na Menehune (10-6), OIA fifth
Coach: Scott Yamada, 18th season (147-100-2, one OIA title)
Eighth appearance (7-11-1, 5-7 championship bracket)
    
Pearl City Chargers (9-7), OIA sixth
Coach: Gavin Concepcion first year
22nd appearance (31-28-3, 18-20 championship bracket). One state title (2011)

Division II

#1 Maryknoll Spartans (13-2), ILH champion
Coach: Randy Yamashiro
Seventh appearance (17-3, 12-3 championship bracket). Three state titles (2009, 2013, 2014)

#2 Kamehameha-Hawaii (12-1), BIIF champion)
Coach: Andy Correa
Fifth appearance (7-5, 7-4 championship bracket).

#3 Aiea Na Alii (12-0), OIA champion
Coach: Ryan Kato
First appearance in D2. Two state titles in pre-D2 era (1973, 1976).

#4 Kauai Red Raiders (9-3) KIF champion
Coach: Hank Ibia
Fifth appearance (10-2, 9-2 championship bracket). Two state title (2008, 2009)

Molokai Farmers (11-0), MIL champion
Coach: Scott Rapanot
Sixth appearance in D2 (9-7, 6-5 in championship bracket). Two state titles in pre-D2 era (1999, 2000)

Pac-Five (11-6), ILH runner-up
Coach: Dennis Fukunaga
Second appearance (2-1, 2-1 in championship bracket)

Kapolei Hurricanes (9-3), OIA runner-up
Coach: Tom Ebanez
First appearance

Konawaena Wildcats (5-7-1), BIIF runner-up
Coach: Adam Tabieros
Seventh appearance (7-9, 1-6 in championship bracket)