Maryknoll scored six runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-5 win over ‘Iolani on Friday afternoon to stay within striking distance of first place in the ILH softball chase.

The Lady Spartans improved to 5-3 and are now in a second-place tie with Kamehameha. First-place Punahou defeated Pac-Five on Friday and is 7-3.

Kahilu McNicoll was resilient against the Raiders, who celebrated their seniors after the game. The right-hander struck out nine and walked seven. Like every pitcher in the heavy-hitting ILH, McNicoll has learned to roll with the punches.

“I was up and down. It wasn’t my best, but my change-up was working,” said McNicoll, who also drove in a run. Everyone in the Maryknoll lineup either had a hit, drove in a run or scored a run.

“We had only two pop flies,” Spartans coach John Uekawa said. “This was a team effort. As we get closer to the postseason, we’ll live and die with Kahilu, just like last year.”

‘Iolani came into the game at 3-4, just one loss more than each of the top three teams in the standings. Southpaw Aleia Agbayani struggled with control and lasted just 12⁄3 innings. Marley Dyer went the remaining 51⁄3 innings, allowing one earned run. Five of Maryknoll’s nine runs were unearned as ‘Iolani committed two errors. ‘Iolani is mathematically still in the hunt for first place, but it’s a long shot.

“It’s a process. Now we’re going to have to win the postseason tournament,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Yonamine said. “We’re trying to figure out positions. We played 18 people. Everyone played.”

Maryknoll scored three times in the top of the first inning. Nohea Hee walked and Logan Carlos singled, and both scored when ‘Iolani shortstop Rylee Nishimoto’s throw home on a forceout missed the target.

Agbayani loaded the bases when she hit Mahalo Akaka, then walked McNicoll on four pitches to force in Kiana Arcayena from third base.

The Raiders scored in the bottom of the first on a double by Dyer, bringing in Kai Barrett from second.

In the top of the second. Carlos doubled with one out, Baylie Kahele walked and after a fielder’s choice groundout, Arcayena singled to right, scoring Kahele. Liliana Thomas followed with a double to left, plating Kanoe Tanigawa and Arcayena for a five-run cushion.

In the bottom of the second, Emi Muranaka walked and scored on a forceout, but the Raiders stranded five baserunners in the first two frames.

In the top of the fourth. Akaka’s bases-loaded single scored Tanigawa for a 7-2 Maryknoll lead.

In the fifth, Carlos and Kahele walked, and then scored when Arcayena grounded to short and the throw to first was dropped, opening Maryknoll’s lead to 9-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Kalena Markham tripled, Hailee Ueyama walked, and pinch hitter Joy Uetake singled home Markham. Pinch hitter Rylie Ann Wada then doubled to center, bringing two runs home as ‘Iolani cut the lead to 9-5.

The Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but McNicoll got Anna Arita to ground into a forceout to end the game.

Maryknoll visits Mid-Pacific today. ‘Iolani will host St. Francis on Monday.