Trumping Hawai'i's comeback with one of its own, Washington rallied for three runs in the sixth to pull out an 8-6 softball victory in the championship game of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament yesterday.

Earlier, Kate Robinson pitched a four-hitter, helping the Rainbow Wahine defeat Eastern Kentucky, 1-0, and advance to the title game.

The Rainbows trailed the Huskies 5-1 after five innings before scoring five in the fifth to go ahead, 6-5.

But that comeback had a short expiration limit. With runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the sixth, Washington's Marnie Koziol chopped a ball over third baseman Clare Warwick's reach. Left fielder Brandi Peiler tried to throw out Alyson McWherter at the plate. The ball bounced toward the first-base line as McWherter scored. When the ball ricocheted away from catcher Katie Grimes, Amanda Fleischman scored to make it 7-6. Koziol, who advanced to third on the play, eventually scored.

"I thought I could have had her, but my throw was off," Peiler said. "It was totally off."

UH coach Bob Coolen said the better choice would have been for Peiler to throw to third, sacrificing the run but opening the way to get Fleischman, who had rounded too far off of second base.

But unlike after Saturday's pool-play loss to Washington, Coolen remained upbeat yesterday. On Saturday, Coolen scolded his players for 30 minutes after they failed to beat a Pac-10 team for the third time in as many games. Yesterday's post-game talk lasted a minute.

"I had to resolve the issue (on Saturday)," Coolen said. "I was angry then because we didn't compete. This time we competed. That was the difference. I really am pleased. We came back. We didn't give up."

The Rainbows had lost three key players from last year's Super Regional team — first baseman Tyleen Tausaga and second baseman Alana Power to graduation, and ace pitcher Justine Smethurst to Australia's national team.

"They were our biggest voices," pitcher Jessica Morton said.

UH's five seniors decided to split the leadership roles. Morton is in charge of the pitchers. Kaulana Gould and Peiler lead the outfielders. Robinson and Valana Manuma lead the infielders. "We're trying to do it in sections," Morton said.

The first step came after Morton, who was physically spent, left after relinquishing four runs — three earned — in 2 1/3 innings. Morton had pitched the day before, and she logged extensive bullpen time when Robinson struggled against Eastern Kentucky.

"Jess was tired, but she didn't say anything until the third inning," Coolen said.

Down 5-1, the Rainbows rallied in the fifth. Manuma and Tanisha Milca reached on errors. Melissa Gonzalez's single drove in Manuma, and Milca and Gonzalez scored on Gould's triple. Robinson's single drove in Gould. Later, Robinson scored when the first baseman dropped a throw.

"Our attitude is a little better," Robinson said. "It was good for our team morale knowing we can come back against a tough team. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold the lead. If anything we know we can do it and build for the next game."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.