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'Iolani moved another step closer to the ILH's third and final berth to next week's DataHouse/HHSAA Softball Championships, exploding for four big runs in the bottom of the sixth, then escaping in the seventh to notch a 4-2 win over Sacred Hearts at Ala Wai Field.

It was a pitcher's duel from the outset, with 'Iolani's Nani Taniguchi and Sacred Hearts Jordyn Waracka both retiring the sides in order in the first.

'Iolani would threaten in the bottom of the second, as Amanda McCaskill reached first when a throw from third on a ground ball pulled the first baseman off the bag. She would move up to second on a sacrifice bunt, and advanced to third on a grounder for out number two, but would be stranded when a pop fly ended the threat.

A leadoff double by the Lancers' Nichelle Chang to open the third would put the first hit of the game in the books, as well as a golden opportunity to cash in a run, but Chang would only get as far as third base, before a ground out to second would extinguish the scoring chance.

Kirstyn Namba would give 'Iolani a scoring chance of their own in the third, roping a shot over the left fielder's head for a two-out triple. But the next batter would direct a fairly routine liner right at the second baseman to retire the side, getting Sacred Hearts out of another jam.

Scoreless through five complete innings, Sacred Hearts would break the seal in the top of the sixth.

With one out already recorded, Michelle Uchida would be hit by a pitch and Jamie Tang would place a well-hit a ground ball to third for an infield single, moving Uchida up to second. A fielding error on the next batter would load the bases for the Lancers, and Jamie Toler would follow with a single back up the box to score pinch-runner Amanda Trowbridge.

Then Janelle Saole would hit a grounder down towards first base, which was scooped up and thrown to home in time get the force for out number two. Waracka would come up for yet another bases-loaded opportunity, but would hit a routine grounder to short to end the inning.

Taniguchi would get things started in the sixth for the Raiders, placing a pitch well over the left fielder's head for a triple that was a bit of a surprise for herself.

"I just hit it hard, and I didn't think it was going to go that far so I kind of slowed down when I got to second base... and he (third base coach Corey Okamura) said keep going so I ran to third." said Taniguchi.

Ula Reis-Moniz would lift a sacrifice fly deep to left field on the next at-bat, allowing Taniguchi to come home from third with the tying run.

Then, McCaskill would laser a shot down the third base line for a two-out single, and steal second to get into scoring position. The next batter, Alyssa Espiritu, would bring her home from second with a nearly identical shot down the line, and would advance to second on the throw to the plate.

Miki Sylva would add another run with a single through the right side to score Espiritu from second, and Alyssa Liilii would complete the four-run outburst with a triple to left, bringing home Sylva.

'Iolani would send Taylor Garcia-Perreira to the mound to close out the seventh, and the sophomore would proceed to put down the first two batters in order.

But Sacred Hearts would not go down without a fight, proceeding to draw three consecutive walks to load the bases. 'Iolani would make a switch with bases full, giving the ball back to Taniguchi, who was playing in the outfield.

A wild pitch would allow a run to come in for Sacred Hearts, leaving first base open with runners now on second and third. Despite the run scoring, the open base seemed to have a calming effect on Taniguchi, who would eventually induce an easy grounder to the shortstop to end the game.

"When it was only the two runners... it was just like all the other innings (where there were runners on), so I didn't pysch myself out too much and I just pitched my game and our defense worked (to get the final out)." added Taniguchi.

'Iolani will face Punahou, a 1-0 winner over Maryknoll in a nine-inning affair, in a 4:00 p.m. game at Punahou, with the third and final ILH berth to the state tournament at stake.