Liana Heshiki drove in five runs and freshman Asia Lee socked a two-run homer as No. 2 Punahou rallied past No. 4 ‘Iolani 10-4 on Monday afternoon in a key league battle on Buffanblu turf.

The Buffanblu improved to 10-2, breaking a first-place tie with ‘Iolani (9-3) in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball standings. Each team has four games left in regular-season play, but Punahou now has the inside track on an automatic state-tournament berth.

“We had too many mistakes,” ‘Iolani coach Benny Agbayani said, referring to three errors by the Raiders. “They got timely hits when they needed it, and that’s the name of the game.”

Heshiki, the cleanup hitter, was 4-for-4. Leadoff hitter Maya Matsubara was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, while No. 2 hitter Tiani Wayton went 2-for-3 and scored four times. In all, Punahou had 12 hits against ‘Iolani’s Aleia and Ailana Agbayani.

“I’m still looking for that one day when I’m hitting lights out. Ground singles today. If I have at least two line drives, I’ll feel complete,” Heshiki said.

Watching ‘Iolani play Mid-Pacific on Saturday, she added, provided a nice mental note. Raiders ace Aleia Agbayani was successful with her change-up, but when she threw one against Heshiki on Monday, it turned into a two-run single.

“In the back of my mind, I knew I had to focus if she threw me one,” Heshiki said.

With clusters of runs in the first few innings, it seemed destined to be a slugfest. In the bottom of the first, Matsubara singled and was safe at second base when Wayton’s ground-ball forceout at second was fielded by shortstop Ailana Agbayani, but dropped by Logan Uechi at the bag.

After D’Asha Saiki walked to load the bases, Heshiki doubled to center, scoring Matsubara and Wayton. Lee’s sacrifice fly to center brought Saiki home for a 3-0 Punahou lead.

The visiting Raiders pushed four runs home in the top of the second. Kalena Markham reached base on an infield single and Taylor Kai doubled. With runners at second and third, Kapili Lopes sent a grounder to third, where Lee fielded and hesitated before throwing home. Markham beat the throw to score ‘Iolani’s first run.

After a sacrifice bunt by Anna Arita, Lexie Tilton’s sac fly to center scored Kai from third base. Ailana Agbayani followed with a single to right, plating Lopes to tie the game at 3.

After Ailana Agbayani stole second base, she scored on Aleia Agbayani’s double to right center, and the Raiders had the lead. Ashanti Martinez then hurled five scoreless innings. ‘Iolani had runners in scoring position during the third, fourth and sixth and came up empty.

Punahou regained the lead in the bottom of the third with four runs, again with a clutch hit by Heshiki. Matsubara reached on an infield error and Wayton singled. With one out, Heshiki’s infield single brought the two runners home, and Punahou had the lead, 5-4.

On the next pitch, Lee launched a homer over the fence in left-center, and the Buffanblu led by three runs.

They added two more scores in the fourth and another in the sixth.

Matsubara pulled a double to right and scored on Wayton’s double to left. With two outs, Heshiki pulled a single to right, scoring Wayton for a 9-4 lead.

Punahou tacked on a run in the sixth. Wayton walked, stole second base and advanced to third on a single by Heshiki. With two outs, Martinez’s infield single brought Wayton home for a six-run lead.

Martinez retired nine of the last 11 Raiders she faced.