Paige Brunn is not the same pitcher she was a few years ago. 

The fourth-year starter for the Punahou softball team is in the midst of a stellar senior season this spring. Brunn has compiled a 6-0 record with a state-best 0.41 earned run average for the undefeated and second-ranked Buffanblu. 

Brunn's coach, Boy Eldredge, beams with pride when speaking about the 5-foot-3 right-hander. 

"She's a strike-thrower and she's always been a strike-thrower, but what she's done this year is she's fine-tuned her spots," Eldredge said. 

Brunn's 23-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio backs up Eldredge's assertion. She has allowed 19 hits and just two runs in 34 innings pitched. 

"She has a better understanding of how to get people out. I mean, she's not overpowering — velocity-wise she's in the mid-50s — and so she does all the little things right and I think that's what has made the biggest difference is she's gotten a little bit better at everything each year and now she's doing a great job of taking care of those little things and it's paying off for her this senior year," Eldredge said. 

To be sure, Brunn has paid her dues over the years. She struggled to an ERA north of six in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, all while negotiating several different injuries. She put together pitching records of 3-6 in her first year and 4-2 the following season; as a team the Buffanblu went 5-6 and 7-8, respectively, those years. 

"Coming into the varsity level in the ILH as a freshman is tough for anyone and for her, she was having to do it through injury. She went through some hard times early on, but she battled through it and she's gotten stronger every year and not just on the pitching side, but that mentality side because she's gotten tougher mentally, too," Eldredge said. 

Brunn expressed her dismay about the injuries early in her prep career, but at the same time is appreciative of the lessons learned through those tough times. 

"It was really disappointing honestly to be injured those couple years because I was really excited to play, but I had some setbacks but I just had to learn how to work hard," Brunn said. "I had to do a bunch of physical therapy if I wanted to be able to play for my team again, so that was really important and that taught me persistence and how to work through challenges if I want to get to a goal. It was also nice because my teammates and coaches were always there for me. They picked me up because I was down because I couldn't play, so it was nice to have that support."

Brunn received All-ILH Division I Second Team recognition as a freshman and sophomore, but leveled up to a First Team pick by league coaches a year ago, when she went 9-3 with a 5.47 ERA. Her 75 innings pitched ranked among the state's leaders. Brunn also picked up All-Hawaii Honorable Mention distinction. Subsequently, Punahou orchestrated a 12-6 record last spring, but came up one win shy of its first state tournament berth since 2019. 

The Buffanblu are looking to change that this season — and they're off to a promising start. Brunn's work in the pitching circle is certainly part of the reason for their success to-date. 

"She had a really good junior year and now she's outstanding," Eldredge expressed. "It's been night and day from what we saw as a freshman to now as a senior and that mentality of ‘I'm just gonna power through this and get it done,' and so going through that adversity has definitely strengthened her and I think that's a big part of why she's finding success this season."

Brunn logged her first complete game in a 5-1 win over Maryknoll on March 15. She allowed four hits and three walks and struck out six Spartans. In a trio of wins last week, 

Brunn delivered three victories in the circle. She tossed six innings of two-hit ball in a 10-0 rout of Kamehameha on Tuesday, followed by one run on one hit in six innings of work in a 14-7 win over Mid-Pacific Thursday and ended the week with a complete-game five-hit shutout of Maryknoll in a 4-0 decision Saturday. 

Eldredge noted that it was early in the week that he and his coaching staff were made aware of a groin injury that Brunn was working through. 

"I think that is what was most impressive last week is that she had to work through some discomfort. It's something I wanted to make sure we weren't going to make worse by playing her, but it was dependent upon her pain tolerance. When we checked with her, she was like, ‘No, I'm good,' but we would see her stretching during the late innings in the dugout, just making sure that she's going to be ready for the next inning, but that mental strength and playing through pain is the most impressive thing about this past week," Eldredge said. 

In the three games last week, Brunn allowed one run on eight total hits. She notched 14 strikeouts against six walks. Brunn has been the pitcher of record in each of Punahou's six games this ILH season. 

"I did not want to be injured again this year because it's my senior year, so I was pretty sad, but I just had to push through because my teammates were relying on me and I wanted to work for them and give them the best opportunity," Brunn said of the groin injury. 

She is grateful for the encouragement of her teammates, coaches, medical staff and especially her parents — her mother, Lynette Lau, and her father, Alfred Brunn. 

"The support from my team and help from physical therapists and my parents allowed me to push through the games we had last week," Brunn added. 

Beyond her pitching prowess, Eldredge noted that the veteran presence Brunn brings to the circle is difficult to quantify. 

"As a team we're doing well and, of course, it starts with the pitching, but I think the sense of confidence with the other eleven girls knowing that you have a pitcher that will keep you in every game is huge. With the bats, the rest is in their hands, but it's not like we have to come back (from) seven runs down and things like that. We're always in it and I think for our girls, it's just that level of confidence has gone up because we know we have a shot every single game," Eldredge said. 

Much of Brunn's success this season can be tied to her batterymate — and good friend — behind the plate in catcher Lexi Hinahara. 

"We're really close. We've been playing together for a long time, we go on trips together to play and everything. We play club so we're very close on and off the field and I'm really grateful for her because she's learned to understand how I pitch and work toward that so that I'm successful and she's successful," Brunn said. 

Hinahara, who along with Brunn make up two of Punahou's seven seniors (out of 12 total players), calls the pitches herself. 

"We've given Lexi the freedom to call games because of their relationship and we just give some advisement, but that's worked out really well. They spend a lot of time together, which is kind of a cool thing because they, together as a battery, have really jelled well and gotten better each year and I think that's part of the secret is that they work well together," Eldredge said. 

Eldredge chuckled when asked how many different pitches Brunn has in her repertoire. 

"I don't have enough fingers to count them all. We actually tried to reduce it and have her focus and master some so I would say she has four now that she's really trying to master. She relies a lot on a screw and the fastball, but she's really, really emphasized the need for an off-speed pitch and she's worked really hard to increase how often she throws the change-up and she's been doing really well with that," Eldredge said. 

With a bevy of 12th graders this spring, leadership is a shared responsibility amongst the group. All seven seniors have been on the varsity team at least three seasons and four of them are fourth-year players. 

"Paige is relatively quiet so I guess her leadership comes just by performance and by example. You see her out there taking charge in the circle and I think that gives the others confidence just seeing her not only performing well, but knowing she's playing through same adversity and I think that's the way she leads, is by example, but we have others in that senior class that are a little more vocal and take more of that leadership role," Eldredge noted. 

Brunn and the Buffanblu (6-0) will host fourth-ranked Kamehameha Thursday at 4 p.m. before they face Iolani in a televised game Saturday, 5 p.m. at McKinley Tiger Softball Stadium. 

SOFTBALL 

Kyla Abad, Maryknoll — Homered and drove in four runs in a win over Iolani 

Alexis Ahlo-Garcia, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Iolani 

A. Akahi, Kamehameha-Maui — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in a loss to Maui 

Faith Alejandro-Cazimero, Kohala — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, one walk, two RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored in a win over Kau 

Faatamalii Brown, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha 

Shaileah Brown, Baldwin — Batted 4 for 5 with a double, RBI and four runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

G. Bulusan, Maui — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, two RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Bobbi Cambra, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, triple, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Iolani 

Sydney Capello, Punahou — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double, one walk, three RBI and one stolen base in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kadie Carpio, Kalani — Struck out nine batters, walked two and allowed one hit in a five-inning shutout of Castle 

Kyla Castro, Kalani — Batted 2 for 2 with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Castle 

Kasi Cruz, Maryknoll — Doubled, drove in two runs and scored a run and allowed one hit with four strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning shutout of Iolani 

Kalia DeMello, Baldwin — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Myah Doolin, Lanai — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, one walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Molokai 

Emalia Emmsley, Kealakehe — Batted 4 for 5 with a triple, double, two RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored and allowed three unearned runs on one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks in a six-inning win over Keaau 

Emma Fujino, Kalani — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Castle 

Dahlia Gangano, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, one walk, three RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Sacred Hearts 

M. George, Lanai — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, five RBI and four runs scored in a win over Molokai and batted 2 for 4 with a double, five RBI and four runs scored in a win over Molokai 

N. Gusman, Maui — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

C. Hanapi, Molokai — Batted 4 for 5 with a triple, double, one RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored in a loss to Lanai 

S. Hao, Kamehameha II — Struck out eight batters, walked none and allowed three hits in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Punahou II 

Reyn Hiraoka, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Iolani 

Taryn Ho, Punahou — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha and batted 4 for 4 with a home run, one walk, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific 

M. Ignacio, Molokai — Batted 3 for 5 with a walk, four RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored in a win over Lanai 

K. Kaneshiro, Waiakea — Doubled, drew a walk, drove in four runs, stole two bases and scored three times in a win over Kealakehe 

Naleonahenahemaikalani Kelley, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Austen Kinney, Punahou — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific 

H. Kualaau-Abbey, Kekaulike — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

E. Luther, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kealakehe 

K. Mollena-Ritte, Molokai — Batted 3 for 4 with three doubles, one walk, three RBI and three runs scored in loss to Lanai 

Zanaiyah Murai, Kohala — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, one walk, four RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kau 

Bailey Nagasako, Baldwin — Batted 5 for 5 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Mahealani Pang, Kohala — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, one walk, one RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored in a win over Honokaa 

K. Sewake, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, six RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Konawaena 

Ashlyn Souza, Kapaa — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBI, one stolen base and a run scored in a win over Kauai 

Filinga Tuifua, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, one walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Punahou II 

Kailani Valenzuela-Conte, Kohala — Batted 3 for 3 with two home run, one double, one walk, five RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored in a win over Kau 

Ducky Vea, Waimea — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kauai 

Layna Zaria, Kalani — Batted 4 for 4 with a home run, triple, seven RBI and two runs scored in a win over Castle 

GIRLS WATER POLO

Ava Aguilera, Punahou — Scored six goals in a win over Kamehameha 

Teuila Barclay, Hilo — Scored four goals in a win over Keaau 

Ava Booker, Kailua — Scored five goals in a win over Kalani 

Keira Brewer, Hawaii Prep — Scored five goals in a win over Kealakehe 

Ava Carlson, Kamehameha — Scored five goals in a win over Iolani 

Maya Correa Garcia, Moanalua — Scored five goals in a win over Kailua 

Ellie Dallas, Moanalua — Scored six goals in a win over Kailua 

Karly Dias, Le Jardin II — Scored six goals in a loss to Mid-Pacific II 

Leona Gormley, Kamehameha II — Scored four goals in a win over Iolani II and scored four goals in a loss to Mid-Pacific II 

Ceyra Lee, Mid-Pacific II — Scored four goals in a win over Le Jardin II 

Kalei Maglidt, Kalani — Scored three goals in a loss to Kailua 

Alani Mierzwa, Kailua — Scored four goals in a win over Kalani 

Noelani Moline, Hilo — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Kawena Neumann, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kendra-Ray Nishikawa, Iolani II — Scored three goals in a loss to Kamehameha II 

Koral Pestana, Mid-Pacific II — Scored five goals in a win over Le Jardin II 

Synnove Robinson, Punahou — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha 

Morgan Russell, Mililani — Scored three goals in a loss to Kahuku 

Elliana Schiffner, Kaiser — Scored six goals in a win over West Combined 

Eden Smith, Kahuku — Scored eight goals in a win over Mililani 

Alexi Sueoka, Iolani — Scored four goals in a loss to Kamehameha and scored three goals in a loss to Le Jardin 

Zoe Wiechmann, Le Jardin — Scored three goals in a win over Iolani 

Laikuakamahina Wong, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

BASEBALL

Bruin Agbayani, Saint Louis — Batted 2 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Iolani 

Alika Ahu, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI in a win over Maryknoll 

Logan Akaka, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI in a win over Iolani 

J. Alston, Waiakea — Allowed one hit with seven strikeouts and four walks in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win over Konawaena 

Colten Amai Nakagawa, PAC-5 — Allowed three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks in six innings pitched in a win over Maryknoll 

Alika Balberdi, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI in a loss to Damien 

Cove Campas, Kekaulike — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk, three RBI, four stolen bases and five runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Treyden Chong Kew, Iolani — Batted 4 for 5 with two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Saint Louis 

Isaac Derego, Honokaa — Batted 1 for 2 with two walks, one RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored and allowed one earned run on three hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks in six innings pitched in a win over Kohala 

Max Detrinis, Damien — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored in a win over Maryknoll and batted 2 for 2 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Saint Louis 

Kahaku Harrison, Punahou — Hit a three-run home run in a win over PAC-5

Jake Hiromoto, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, one walk, an RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Iolani 

Chase Hokama, Maryknoll — Allowed one earned run on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk in six innings pitched in a loss to PAC-5

J. Inouye, Waiakea — Batted 1 for 1 with three walks, two RBI, stole a base and three runs scored in a win over Kealakehe 

Elai Iwanaga, Kamehameha — Struck out seven batters, walked none and allowed three hits over six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Rome Joaquin, Kealakehe — Batted 1 for 3 with two stolen bases and three runs scored and allowed three unearned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and four walks in a complete-game win over KEaau 

Kaui Kekauoha, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored in a loss to Damien 

Justin Kubojiri, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored in a win over Hilo 

J. Lancaster, Punahou — Batted 3 for 3 with three runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Rykur Lee, Waimea — Allowed one run on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in five innings pitched in a win over Kapaa 

Kaitin Mundon, Kapaa — Batted 2 for 4 with five RBI and two runs scored in a win over Island School 

Keagan Pacheco, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over Hilo 

Kahiau Rivera, Konawaena — Allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a loss to Waiakea 

Pierce Rosario, Kapaa — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk, three RBI, four stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Island School 

Colin Rosenthal, Seabury Hall — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hana 

Kaulana Quinlan, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Iolani 

Luke Takakuwa-Holtey, Mid-Pacific — Allowed one unearned run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks in 4 1/3 innings of relief in a win over PAC-5

Chase Thompson, Iolani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to Kamehameha 

Taj Uyehara, Kamehameha — Batted 4 for 4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kayden Volner, Seabury Hall — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, one RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored in a win over Hana 

Cade Watson, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two walks, two RBI and two runs scored and recorded a save with three strikeouts, one walk and one hit allowed in two innings pitched in a win over Iolani 

Cade Yamada, Kekaulike — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk, four RBI, two stolen bases and four runs scored in a win over Lahainluna 

Allin Yap, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI in a loss to PAC-5

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Andrew Guzman, Maui — Had 28 set assists and one dig in a three-set win over Kekaulike 

Koa Holts, Castle — Had 15 digs, one set assist and a kill in a three-set win over Kalaheo and had 15 digs, five set assists and one kill in a four-set win over McKinley 

Piikoa Kamoku, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 13 kills, 14 digs and three aces in a three-set win over Lahainluna 

TJ Lorenzo, Lahainaluna — Had 14 set assists, 11 digs, three aces, one kill and a block assist in a five-set loss to Kekaulike 

Fidelis Mauigoa, Aiea — Had 15 kills, two digs, two aces, one block assist and a set assist in a three-set win over Waianae 

Julius Momoe-Mitchell, Campbell — Had 17 kills, six digs and two block assists in a four-set win over Radford 

Reven Otsuka, Pearl City — Had 15 kills, one block assist and an ace in a five-set win over Kapolei 

Damien Pili-Rumusod, Castle — Had 19 set assists, 10 digs and four aces in a four-set win over McKinley 

Luke Prangnell, Maui — Had 15 kills, two aces, one block assist and a dig in a three-set win over Kekaulike 

Kden Pu, Lahainaluna — Had 12 kills, 12 digs, one block assist and a set assist in a five-set loss to Kekaulike 

Nanue Sadowski, Castle — Had 15 kills, four digs, three solo blocks, two block assists and two aces in a four-set win over McKinley 

Khendel Scully, Aiea — Had 17 kills, 13 set assists, two digs, two set assists and two aces in a three-set win over Waianae 

Pau Spencer, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 29 set assists, 12 digs, four kills and one ace in a three-set win over Lahainaluna 

Josiah Talamoa, Pearl City — Had 18 kills, two block assists and one ace in a five-set win over Kapolei and had 16 kills, four block assists and three aces in a four-set win over Nanakuli 

Jesse Tuipulotu-Davidson, Kailua — Had 26 set assists and four digs in a four-set loss to Moanalua and had 32 set assists, four aces and one kill in a three-set win over Anuenue 

Kitiona Uli, Campbell — Had 34 set assists, five digs, three kills and two block assists in a four-set win over Radford and had 29 set assists, five digs, three kills, one block assist and an ace in a three-set win over Waialua 

Jonathan Yadao, Roosevelt — Had 27 kills, 14 digs and two aces in a five-set loss to Farrington 

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