CJ Caraang | SL

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MILILANI – Geoff Moore pitched five innings of three-hit ball to help Punahou beat Campbell, 12-1, Sunday on the third day of the Glenn Nitta Tournament at the Trojans' field.

The game ended with no out in the bottom of the fifth inning on Noah Goss' two-run triple because of the 10-run differential mercy rule.

It was the final tuneup for the teams, which begin their respective regular season openers Wednesday. Punahou visits defending Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Mid-Pacific. Defending Oahu Interscholastic Association and state champion Campbell returns to Mililani to face the Trojans.

Moore, a utility player last year, pitched the distance of the shortened game. He allowed three singles and walked two while striking out one.

"Geoff is someone we're going to count on either for that third start or middle relief," Punahou coach Keenan Sue said. "He doesn't throw hard, but he throws a lot of strikes."

Moore had strong support from his offense. The Buffanblu tagged four different Campbell pitchers for nine hits. Leadoff hitter Cole Cabrera led the way with a 3-for-4 outing, scoring four runs. He had a double, bunt single and two steals. Goss was 2 for 3 with three RBI and a steal. Easton Takamoto also was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI.

"Cole (Cabrera), he's deadly," Sue said. "He can run. He's probably one of the fastest guys in the ILH. He puts the ball in play a lot. He battles. He's one of those guys, before each pitch, he's prepared. He's ready."

Punahou finished fourth in the five-team ILH D1 last season at 5-10. The Buffanblu are expected to be better.

"We talk about proper preparation gives you the skills and confidence you need to succeed," Sue said. "These guys have really worked hard in the offseason, summertime in the weight room. That gives them a lot of confidence so they come out here with a proper attitude."

The Buffanblu scored twice in the top of first off Campbell starter Jamin Kalaloa, who also allowed four more in the second, but three were unearned because of an error.

Chad Samante retired the Buffanblu in order, striking out two, in the third. But Punahou added four in the fourth, sparked by Cabrera's bunt single. The inning saw Punahou steal four bases, including a double steal. Roy Clemons came in with one out, eventually giving up a two-run single to Takamoto and RBI double to Tyson Donahue.

Darien Robinson did not fare any better than the previous Campbell pitchers, allowing a walk, single and the game-ending triple to Goss.

The Sabers, who went 47-6 the past three seasons, finished this preseason at 6-7, as they field a brand-new starting lineup.

"It's a work in progress," Campbell coach Rory Pico said. "You have to give them experience, put them in opportunities where they get chances to be successful. It's preseason. What we've been doing is trying to find our guys who give us the best chance to be competitive."

Pico feels the team is strong up the middle, but manned by first-year starters Bronson Burr behind the plate and Jordan Macias at shortstop. Second baseman Shane Shimizu had some starts last when starting shortstop Jobe Ibana was recovering from an injury. Center fielder Kainoa Gananical also shared some time in the outfield.

The ILH D1 will have six teams this season with the promotion of defending Division II state champion Maryknoll. Teams will play 15 regular season games and the postseason tournament.