Just 24 hours after a heartbreaking loss, the Punahou Buffanblu clutched up.

D’Asha Saiki, Janell Sato and Kawai Mielke jolted home runs as No. 4 Punahou edged No. 5 Maryknoll 8-7 on a muggy Wednesday afternoon at Sand Island Park.

Punahou improved to 6-3 in Interscholastic Interscholastic of Honolulu softball play. Maryknoll, playing a league game for the first time since March 21, dropped to 4-3.

“It’s great for our team. The loss (to St. Francis on Tuesday) was tough. I was so worried getting off the bus,” Punahou coach Boy Eldredge said. “But today, they looked more prepared. We got a few big home runs. D’Asha, Janell and Kawai came up big.”

Kennedy Ishii was gritty as usual on the mound, going the distance for the win. She struck out four, including a couple in key situations with runners in scoring position, and walked only two.

Kahilu McNicoll went 31⁄3 innings and took the loss. The Buffanblu had some trouble with her fastball, but her off-speed pitch was off target often and she walked nine batters.

The visiting Buffanblu took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Mielke led off with a walk, advanced on a single by Ashanti Martinez and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Bri Alejo. Eri Mizuguchi’s sacrifice fly to left brought Mielke home.

Maryknoll tied the game in the bottom of the second.

Kanoe Tanigawa led off with a single and advanced to second on Kiana Arcayena’s sac bunt. Aloha Akaka, who later pitched in relief for the Spartans, reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Kelsey Wong. Tanigawa was forced out at third base on a bunt attempt by Liliana Thomas, but Akaka then stole third base and then scored on a wild pitch.

Punahou scored twice in the third inning for a 3-1 lead. Bailey Akimseu walked with one out and Sato socked a home run over left.

Maryknoll answered with three runs in the bottom of the third. Sydney Kamakaiwi led off with a single, and Nohea Hee and Logan Carlos walked to load the bases. Baylie Kahele spanked a double to left, scoring Kamakaiwi and Hee to tie the game. Carlos later scored on a two-out single to center by Aloha Akaka, and the home team led 4-3.

Then came the fourth, when Punahou powered two home runs to take an 8-4 lead.

Maya Matsubara and Ishii walked to start the frame before Saiki jumped on a 1-2 pitch and launched it over the right-field fence for a three-run homer.

Sato walked with one out before Mielke, a lefty, lifted a high fly that landed just over the right-field fence for a two-run homer.

Maryknoll cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth. McNicoll was hit by pitch and Nohea Hee singled. With the bases loaded, Kanoe Tanigawa grounded to short, but Saiki’s throw to second was errant, allowing McNicoll and Hee to score, and the Spartans were within 8-6.

They added one more run in the bottom of the sixth and McNicoll singled with two out in the bottom of the seventh. But Sydney Kamakaiwi flew out to end the game.