Maryknoll's Sydney Kamakaiwi, Baylie Kahele and Kahilu McNicoll celebrate after defeating Kamehameha Monday afternoon. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Freshman Sydney Kamakaiwi crushed a double to left centerfield to bring in the go-ahead run to push the fifth-ranked Spartans to the ILH single-elimination tournament championship game. Michael Lasquero | SL

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KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — The Spartans have spelt trouble for Kamehameha all season long.

The Warriors' lone blemish in the first round of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season came courtesy of the Spartans in a mercy rule loss in March. They were then forced to mount five runs in a last-inning comeback in their second matchup against in the regular season finale.

In a second round tournament that's already begun to form a Cinderella story with Mid-Pacific, a third showdown between No. 3 Kamehameha and No. 5 Maryknoll was sure to come down to the wire.

Tied at five after six complete innings, the Spartans doubled their runs total in the top of the seventh to surpass the Warriors, 10-6, in Monday afternoon's ILH Division I semifinals matchup up on the hill of Kamehameha Schools.

Freshman Sydney Kamakaiwi crushed a double to left centerfield to bring in the go-ahead run to push the fourth-seeded Spartans to the ILH second round championship game.

"I just knew I had to get a small hit, get on bag for my team, and that's what I did," Kamakaiwi said, who hadn't recorded a hit against the Warriors in the previous two meetings.

With the loser being eliminated from the tournament, the game had no shortage of controversial drama.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kamehameha designated player Kaa Bertulfo reached base after being pegged on a full count pitch. The Warriors opted to flex pitcher Alyssa Mahoe in to run for her.

Freshman Sydney Kamakaiwi crushed a double to left centerfield to bring in the go-ahead run to push the fifth-ranked Spartans to the ILH single-elimination tournament championship game. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

After coming up empty and flipping back on defense, Maryknoll coach John Uekawa alleged that Kamehameha made an illegal substitution with Mahoe returning to the pitching circle and Bertulfo out on the field at first base. The game was delayed the next inning to figure out lineup substitutions, but play was continued without any repercussions other than a loss of daylight.

"We were going to run a protest, but at the end, I talked to the coaches and said, ‘You know? We're just going to beat them outright'," Uekawa said.

With Maryknoll leading 5-3, Kamehameha's Gabrielle Tyrell led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle, followed by Tausani Tavale's drag bunt to reach base safely to put runners on first and second.

Alana Cobb-Adams roped a liner down the left field line for a ground rule double to bring both runners in to tie the game.

Heading into the final inning, Maryknoll built off Kamakaiwi's hit in the top frame to bring in five runs to double their score to lead, 10-5.

Bertulfo slammed a solo shot over the fence in left centerfield, but it wouldn't be enough as Spartans' pitcher Kahilu McNicoll finished out her fourth complete game and eighth win of the season.

For the Spartans, it was the seventh game they've notched double-digit hit totals, all of which have been in victories.

"We have many batting coaches, but our key is Keiki Carlos. She's been communicating very well with them," Uekawa said of the 2012 Mid-Pacific graduate who was a two-time Hawaii player of the year and now an assistant coach for Maryknoll.

"Now they're trusting their hands and they're making some mean contact. I wouldn't want to be playing defense," Uekawa continued with a laugh.

On the other side, pitching has been an issue for the Warriors as senior Rayla Jacobs-Kea has dealt with a shoulder injury since their second game of the season.

Kamehameha has turned to freshman Reese Mokuau to help carry the pitching load, but she was unavailable for Monday's game due to illness.

A less-than-100-percent Jacobs-Kea took to the circle and lasted three innings before freshman Alyssa Mahoe was brought in — who before this game only had seven and a third innings of work. Both players were substituted out and then brought back in later in the game.

"We got to get healthy. We're not healthy right now," Kamehameha coach James Millwood said. "Our main pitcher has some main issues. Dallas at first has a sprained ankle. We just got to get healthy and put things together."

Maryknoll will now take on Mid-Pacific for the second round championship at Sand Island Field at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kamehameha awaits the winner in a playoff game on Friday for the overall ILH title and a seeded berth in next week's DataHouse/Hawaii High School Athletic Association D1 State Championships.

The Warriors' loss also eliminates Iolani from postseason contention. The Raiders finished second in the regular season standings and needed Kamehameha to win both rounds to force a playoff for the second ILH state tournament spot.