Maryknoll's Noah Bernal (5) brings in two runs on a triple in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game 5-5 against the Monarchs at Hans L'Orange Field. CJ Caraang | SL

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WAIPAHU — Maryknoll batted around in a four-run sixth inning to rally past Damien, 6-5, on opening day of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball season Monday night. 

The Spartans (1-0) came back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Monarchs (0-1) before a crowd of about 100 fans at venerable Hans L'Orange Park — and a statewide television audience.

"All credit to the boys, they really worked hard," second-year Maryknoll coach Alakai Aglipay said. 

"We have various age groups on this team so it was just kind interesting to see what it would have been like, especially first game, under the lights, on TV, but just a great effort by the boys to just stick with it and finish," Aglipay said. 

Damien pulled ahead 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning on Peter Pappalardo's RBI-sacrifice fly to score Dyson Yasuda. Yasuda doubled to the right-center gap an inning later to plate two more runs to give the Monarchs a 5-2 lead. 

But Maryknoll had an answer in the bottom of the sixth. 

Jacob Remily got things started with his infield single to lead off the frame. After the Monarchs recorded the first out — on a spectacular play by third baseman Makana Freitas to rob Noah Nakaoka of a base hit — they committed errors on the next two balls put into play. Luke Swartman reached on a fielder's choice and also drove in Remily on the play to make it 5-3. 

That set the table for Noah Bernal, the No. 9 batter in the lineup for the Spartans, who brought home both Parker Grant from second and Swartman from first with his triple that found the gap in right-center. 

"That's huge," Aglipay said. "When you have your nine-hitter, your bottom of the lineup coming through for the team that's always huge because that guy is gonna bring up the top of the lineup, so in that moment — even though he's a freshman — I thought he handled the pressure very well and he responded the way that any coach would want."

Bernal said the offering from Damien reliever Rustyn Ah Yat was a 1-1 fastball, middle-out. 

"I just went with it and just went right in the gap," Bernal said. "It feels good just to get a first hit of the season; it felt really good."

Bernal's two-run triple tied the score at 5 and one pitch later, Nicolas Low put Maryknoll ahead with his RBI-sac fly that allowed Bernal to tag-up for the go-ahead run. 

"That was clutch," Bernal said of Low's fly-ball to centerfield. 

Aglipay said Bernal's three-bagger dictated his instructions to Low, the leadoff batter for the Spartans. 

"Once we got the tying run with a runner on third, us as coaches, we're just really preaching for (Low) to just do the job — get something out to the outfield to score that run — and I'm super proud of him for executing," Aglipay said. 

The game was scoreless after three innings, but Damien pushed across a pair in the top of the fourth. Francis O'Connor was hit by a pitch to lead off the half-inning. He moved over all the way to third on a wild pitch and then came home after a throwing error by the catcher. Freitas made it a 2-0 lead for the Monarchs with his RBI-double down the line in right.

The Spartans scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Nakaoka and Grant had back-to-back singles to lead off the frame and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch and a two-out RBI-single by Low, respectively, to tie it at 2.

Aglipay said it was important that his team was able to have an answer each time Damien scored runs in the top-half of an inning. 

"I think that's part of the focus — you know, not cracking under pressure and being able to respond, respond back — so as a coach, seeing that on day one, I think that's a true testament of these boys' focus and just overall work ethic throughout the game," Aglipay said. 

Hata batted 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk and Nakaoka was also 2 for 3 with a run scored for Maryknoll, which tallied eight hits and took advantage of five errors by Damien — three of them coming in the sixth inning.

"I've been around baseball for a long time and you can't win some games without some luck, too," Aglipay said. "Fortunately for us, the ball bounced our way and we were able to take advantage of it and that's kind of what you gotta do in those situations."

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Allin Yap allowed two runs on one hit with two strikeout and one walk in 1 2/3 innings pitched in relief of starter Cade Hedani, who struck out five but walked seven and held the Monarchs to one hit in 4 1/3 innings of work; he was responsible for three runs, all of them earned. 

"(It was his) first game in his varsity career with us so not too bad," Aglipay said of Yap, a freshman left-hander. "I think he pounded the zone and we'll work on his stamina as the season develops but I think he has a lot of potential moving forward."

Miles Quemuel-Labrador got the final three outs and the save for the Spartans. 

Damien starting pitcher Brandon Deth allowed two runs on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk over five innings of work. Ah Yat allowed four runs and got only one out in relief of Deth to start the bottom of the sixth and was ultimately, the losing pitcher of record. 

The Monarchs were held to just three hits in the loss. 

Both teams continue ILH play Wednesday. Damien will play Punahou at Patsy T. Mink/Central Oahu Regional Park Field No. 1, while Maryknoll will face PAC-5 at CORP Field No. 2. First pitch for both games is 3:30 p.m.