Kahilu McNicoll pitched six innings against Kamehameha, walking five batters and striking out three to earn the win. John Lujan | SL

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SAND ISLAND—No. 9 Maryknoll pounced on an early lead and used a big six-run fourth inning to rout No. 2 Kamehameha, 14-4, in six innings at Sand Island Park on Saturday in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu contest.

Both teams came off of close games on Friday night: The Spartans edged out Saint Francis, while Kamehameha tied Iolani. The ninth-ranked Spartans improve to 2-1 in the ILH standings while the second-ranked Warriors drop to 2-1-1.

Kahilu McNicoll pitched six innings hung in there in the circle despite walking five batters, but managed to strike out three in the win. Maryknoll coach John Uekawa and pitching coach Stephen Carlos felt winning the battle in the circle made a difference.

"We have been working hard on our pitching because of her potential," said Uekawa, on McNicoll.

"We were mainly focused on her hitting spots, not so much on defense. For her, her part was spotting the ball. Pitching and hitting had a lot to do with it. I know she has the potential she has and right now it's just getting her better game by game," said coach Carlos.

The team really wanted to win the game for Uekawa, who was mourning the passing of his father.

"This is a really, really tight team. Compared to previous years, they win on gut and will," said Uekawa.

Coach Uekawa made some hitting lineup changes as he put Baylie Kahele at the seven spot and thrived to go 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBIs. Kanoe Tanigawa hit a two RBI home run and Nohea Hee brought in two RBIs

"I moved her down to the seventh spot and moved Kahilu (McNicoll) who was at the eighth spot to the fourth spot. I had a feeling she (Kahele) would have better pitches to look at and she performed today," said Uekawa, on Kahele.

On the other side it was a rough day for the Warriors in the circle. Rayla Jacobs-Kea, who suffered the injury in the Punahou game is out indefinitely and Kamehameha struggled as they turned to three different pitchers.

Reese Mokuau pitched 1 and 1/3 innings, five of Maryknoll's 14 runs were earned in the loss. Alyssa Mahoe came into the circle and gave up seven runs and was replaced by Shaylee Alani, who started at left field. 

"She's out for a while," said James Millwood, on Jacobs-Kea. "I was telling the girls how the difference it made from Wednesday to today. It throws the whole game off defensively, we had a couple girls trying their best who aren't pitchers. It's unfortunate we had to run into this, but we're going to have to deal with it right now."

The Spartans pounced on the Warriors early in the first after Logan Carlos singled and Tanigawa crunched a home run to left field. Kahele hit a two RBI single for a 4-0 lead.

Kamehameha would answer back with three runs of their own. McNicoll struck out Maiah Motta, but Shaylee Alani walked and a batter later, Laa Bertulfo walked. Gabby Tyrell singled to bring in a run and Tausani Tavale brought in two more, but this was the closest the Warriors would get.

Rayna Mekaru walked to lead off the second and would score on Carlos' RBI double to left field to make it, 5-3.

Kaylah Santos flew out to center, but Mekaru walked and Hee singled while Carlos perfectly placed a bunt to load the bases. Tanigawa brought in her third run of the game and Kamehameha made their third pitching change to bring in Alani from left field into the circle. She walked McNicoll and Labasan reached on an error. Kahele brought in two runs and two more runs were scored on wild pitches. The Spartans went through their lineup and cashed in six runs.

"It's a pitching issue for us. We need to throw strikes and it's hard when you're not hitting your spots. We may walk somebody and next thing you know there's a hit and defensively, you can't fall asleep. But we'll battle," said Millwood.

Dallas Millwood was held in check for the game and struck out twice, however, Kyler Stephens, Motta, and Alani each registered singles and Alani drove in another Warrior run.

"I thought the leadership in the outfield stood out because they had a tough inning and it felt like Kamehameha was going to come back because of it. But at the same time, they stuck together and they scored that one run after that. We kept on adding and we learned how to play with each other and had confidence in each other," said Uekawa.

McNicoll and Labasan each walked to start the sixth inning and Mahoe came back to relieve Alani at pitcher. Sydney Kamakaiwi reached on a fielder's choice, Kahele singled and Santos reached on a fielder's choice. Mahoe walked in a run and Hee drove in two more to end the game due to the 10-run differential.

The Spartans host their next two games at Sand Island against Pac-FIVE and Mid-Pacific in that order. Kamehameha plays their next game a week from now against Pac-FIVE at McKinley