Punahou's Geoff Moore pitched 6 and 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits to earn the win over Saint Louis. Tyler Guieb | SL

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ALA WAI— Jumping out to an early three run lead in the first inning helped seventh-ranked Punahou (10-7) upend third-ranked Saint Louis, 4-2 in the second round of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I double-elimination postseason tournament at Ala Wai Park on Saturday morning.

The Buffanblu pick up their first win against Saint Louis this season and advance to play No. 2 MPI (13-3) at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park on Tuesday Apr. 19, while the Crusaders go to the losers bracket to play Iolani (5-12) at Goeas Field on the same afternoon.

"This game was huge. This postseason is where we have to shine and it's a new start for us. We came out ready to play and got a huge team win today," said Noah Goss.

Punahou came out aggressive as leadoff hitter Cole Cabrera tripled to left field to get the Buffanblu going and Goss brought in Cabrera with a double to deep centerfield. Logan Williams flew out to right field, but Easton Takamoto reached on error and would later score off of Andrew Matsueda's RBI double to make it 3-0. Goss batted 2-for-4 and an RBI, Matsueda had two RBIs, and Takamoto went 1-for-3 and scored a run.

"We were being really aggressive early in the count and we did our jobs and we were ready to hit and it went our way," said Goss.

"Anytime a leadoff batter hits a laser for a triple and it sparks the energy and we capitalized on it. Chase is a great pitcher and we were a little bit more aggressive and the kids prepared well last week and turned the corner," said Punahou coach Keenan Sue.

"To their credit they came out hitting the ball well. We should've made plays—an error that led to a run and a passed ball that led to another run," said Saint Louis coach George Gusman.

Geoff Moore pitched 6 and 1/3 innings for the win and Riley Guieb came in for the final 1 and 2/3 innings to close it out for the save. Moore had 12 first pitch strikes against the 22 batters he faced.

"That's how we have to win games is to trust in everyone," said Goss.

"I don't believe we had any errors and we tell the guys it's about pitching and defense. We got a lot of first outs today. Anytime you get the first out, it helps. It forces them to swing the bat and we trusted the defense and let them work," said Sue.

Punahou plated eight hits for the game and made it difficult for Chase Meilleur early on. Meilleur pitched a complete game allowing four runs—two earned and had two strikes.

"Chase struggled getting out and he hasn't pitched in a while and didn't pitch last week. He's been off 12 days and it showed. To his credit he fought back and gutted it out," said Gusman.

Saint Louis got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning after Charles Lopez's sacrifice fly scored John Kea. The Crusaders found some momentum offensively in the sixth as Moore walked Taylor Meilleur and Brendan Uchima's RBI double brought in Ronson Trimbreza, to cut it to a two run deficit but could get no closer.

"Offensively was disappointing. Hats off to Geoff, but I think we're better than that. I think it's something that we'll get through. The road's a little longer now, but we're up to the task," said Gusman.

Guieb caused Kaiolohia Perreira-Alquiza to fly out to right field and he struck out DJ Stephens in the sixth and in the seventh, John Kea flew out to right field and Matt Wong hit a fly out to left field. Guieb struck out Hunter Guarco to end the game.