Nohea Hee clutched up at the plate, bringing in three runs and none more important than a two-RBI double in the fifth inning for the game-winning hit. CJ Caraang | SL

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_18032211_SOFT_KSK-MS_CJCARAANG-2001.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

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SAND ISLAND — Maryknoll got a double-clutch performance to beat No. 3 Kamehameha Wednesday afternoon.

Nohea Hee snapped a 5-all game with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Kahilu McNicoll stranded the potential tying run at second base in the top of the seventh to help the Spartans squeeze by the Warriors, 7-6, at Sand Island softball field.

The Spartans (4-2), tied for second with Punahou, overcame a 5-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the fourth to hand the first-place Warriors (5-1) their first loss of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball season.

"It wasn't a do-die for us," Maryknoll coach John Uekawa said. "Last year we lost five games and still won the ILH, but (the win) put us back in the picture. We felt the other two losses were close enough to be wins, so this kind of makes the girls understand how good they are."

Maryknoll's seasoned seniors led the way.

McNicoll, who was the starting pitcher, got off to an inauspicious start, serving a first-inning grand slam to Kamehameha's Maiah Motta and later allowing an RBI triple to Gabby Tyrell. After four-plus innings, she gave way to freshman Aloha Akaka, who settled the game with two-plus innings, allowing a run and three hits. But when the Warriors threatened in the top of the seventh, Uekawa brought McNicoll back in with runners at second and third with no outs. McNicoll retired the first two hitters she faced on grounders that could not advance the runners. Pinch hitter Kiliohu Hanawahine reached on a high-chop single to short to score one run, but McNicoll struck out Alyssa Mahoe to end the game.

"Our thing is once (the Warriors) got a hold of Aloha (Akaka), we just go through a cycle," Uekawa said. "Nine batters, 12 batters at most, then we bring Kahilu back in. It's twofold: It gives a different perspective (to the hitters) again with the batter coming back in seeing the (previous) pitcher, and second, it lights a fire on Kahilu. She caught on fire. She wanted the ball in her hand. That's the difference between a good pitcher and a great pitcher. Just wanting it when you need to be there. I'm so happy for her."

McNicoll, who pitched five total innings in two stints in the circle, picked up the save for Akaka, who was the pitcher of record because she was pitching when the Spartans took the lead.