The Spartans run back after recording an inning-ending out against Punahou. CJ Caraang | SL

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_19022630_SOFT_MS-PUN_CJCARAANG-1156.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

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MAKIKI — The championship atmosphere from the Division I boys basketball state final between Maryknoll and Punahou over the weekend carried over to the softball field Monday afternoon.

The visiting Spartans outlasted the Buffanblu, 8-7, in a thrilling 10-inning marathon to begin league play in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Liliana Thomas' leadoff homer to left-center in the top of the 10th inning gave Maryknoll (1-0) the game-winning run in a matchup between two teams that qualified for the state tournament a year ago.

"I think this is what ILH is all about, anybody can beat anybody. It goes back-and-forth, you gotta play to the very last out," said Maryknoll coach John Uekawa. "I'm very proud of these young bunch of girls, they're very young. We'll grow with this."

Although the box score will show each team with two home runs and double digit hits, defense ultimately gave the Spartans the win.

Punahou (0-1) had opportunities to walk off with the win, but Maryknoll was able to make clutch plays defensively to extend the contest.

In the bottom of the seventh, Punahou loaded the bases with one out after the Spartans intentionally walked D'Asha Saiki, walked Ashanti Martinez and gave up a left-center hit to Liana Heshiki. Maryknoll shortstop Carys Murakami then caught a line drive that stopped the runners in their tracks for the second out and left fielder Allyze Pagaoa recorded the inning-ending out on a flyout.

After Maryknoll scored twice in the top of the eighth to go up 7-5, Punahou came right back and drew two walks in the bottom of the frame. An RBI double by Maya Matsubara and a sacrifice fly by Eri Mizuguchi tied the score with Saiki on deck.

The Spartans then intentionally walked Saiki, who hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, for the fourth straight time and also gave Martinez a free pass to load the bases with one out once again.

But like they did earlier, the Spartans ended the threat thanks to a flyout to center fielder Mahalo Akaka and a groundout to Logan-Ray Gaspar at second base.

Uekawa explained how loading the bases allowed his players to stay composed in those tight situations.

"It's all about just playing the odds, the strategy, because it makes the players only think about one thing. There's only one play, the play is at home or you make the play in the air and you have to come home. It's one-dimensional, it's very easy for the girls," said Uekawa. "We got to be happy, I'm jumping for joy. Inside I'm kind of a mellow guy, but inside I'm going to jump for joy."

After Punahou ties it 7-7 in the bottom of the EIGHTH inning, Maryknoll intentionally walks two batters to load the bases with one out...but the Spartans get out of the jam with a flyout to center field and a 4-3 inning-ending play. We go to the 9th inning.

— Michael Lasquero (@SL_Mich) February 26, 2019

The Buffanblu also left two runners on base in the ninth and 10th innings as Maryknoll went on the seal the victory in a contest that was 155 minutes long.

"It was a classic, probably one of the best season openers," said Punahou coach Boy Eldredge. "They played good (defense) all day long. Hats off to them on that."

Eldredge said he was proud of how his team battled back to tie the game on multiple occasions, but also noted that his team needs to be better, especially on the defensive end as Punahou committed five errors and allowed five unearned runs.

The most notable mishap came in the top of the eighth. A throwing error to first base stopped the Buffanblu from recording the second out of the inning. After a flyout to centerfield that should have ended the inning if no error was committed, Maryknoll pitcher Aloha Akaka hit a dinger to left-center to give the Spartans the lead on two unearned runs.

"If we're going to take one (loss), it's a good time to take it. It's against a good pitcher, good team." said Eldredge, whose team went undefeated in the preseason. "We actually made a lot of mistakes. I wasn't happy with a lot of the little things, not tagging up, not hitting a cut off, not knowing where the runners are running. Just little things that we gotta tighten up and get better at. A game like this, this early is beneficial because now we can talk about it and practice on it and hopefully get us better."