Hawaii’s second meeting with San Jose State in the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament was far tighter than the first. But the Rainbow Wahine softball team again emerged with the win, holding off the Spartans for a 6-3 victory on Sunday.

After San Jose State twice rallied to tie the game, the Rainbow Wahine went ahead for good with a three-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sarina Jaramillo broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI double down the left-field line and Kanani Aina Cabrales protected the lead to earn her third win in as many days.

UH went 3-1 in the tournament and improved to 12-8 overall.

The Wahine routed SJSU 14-1 in five innings on Friday and the first three UH hitters on Sunday reached base on two singles and a walk. Heather Morales was hit by a pitch to score Lindsey Willmon with the game’s first run, but SJSU got two force outs at the plate to limit the damage.

The Spartans (14-6) tied the game on a bases-loaded walk in the third, but UH reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning when Leisha Li’lli’i lined a two-run home run down the right field line to give UH a 3-1 lead.

SJSU answered in the fourth, scoring on an Emma Entzminger’s sacrifice fly and a Michelle Cox RBI single. Jessica Madrid’s grounder then scooted through the infield as SJSU’s Anessa Kaylor collided with UH shortstop Sarina Jaramillo. while running toward third.  

Jaramillo was called for obstruction and all of the runners were safe. UH coach Bob Coolen came out to argue and was ejected by third-base umpire Mike Bartling after a lengthy discussion.

After play resumed with the bases still loaded, Aina Cabrales struck out Jessie Hufstetler to preserve the 3-3 tie.

Rachel Lack walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth and Jaramillo drilled a double down the left-field line to bring Lack around with the go-ahead run. Jaramillo advanced to third on Tayana Mata’s bunt and scored when the throw to first was wild.

With runners on first and third and two out, Keiki Carlos broke for second to draw a throw and Mata scored on a steal of home while Carlos scrambled back to first.

SJSU loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh, but Aina Cabrales got two pop ups to the infield to end the game. She finished with three strikeouts and three walks in 4 2/3 innings of relief.

UH’s Aina Cabrales, Li’ili’i, Morales and Ulu Matagiese were named to the all-tournament team.