With a six-run lead evaporated and Punahou barely hanging on, coach Eric Kadooka gave the ball to a pitcher familiar with big-time pressure in little league games.

Alakai Aglipay, a member of the memorable West O'ahu Little League championship team of 2005, struck out five of the nine batters he faced to earn the save in Punahou's 10-7 victory over Augusta (Maine) yesterday in the Babe Ruth World Series for 13- to 15-year-olds.

The game was played in temperatures over 100 degrees at Andalusia, Ala.

"He just wants to be in that spot," said Punahou coach Eric Kadooka. "His experience ... the stage doesn't bother him."

With Punahou leading 8-7 in the bottom of the fifth, Rolenn Himuro walked the leadoff hitter, balked him to second, and walked the next batter. Kadooka then summoned Aglipay.

Aglipay struck out the first batter he faced and induced the next to ground into an inning-ending double play. After Punahou scored two more in the sixth to make it 10-7, Aglipay struck out two more. He then fanned another two in the seventh to preserve the victory.

"He's actually 14 (years old) pitching against 15-year-olds," Kadooka said.

Aglipay also batted 2 for 4 as Punahou amassed 14 hits to Augusta's six hits.

Jeremy Ioane batted 2 for 3, scored four runs and stole four bases; Kainoa Crowell had three doubles; Reid Miyasato and Roy Fuchigami also doubled.

Punahou scored four in the top of the first, two more in the second and another in the fourth for a 7-1 lead.

But Augusta scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie it at 7.

"They basically were able to rally with us helping them," said Kadooka. "That's part of the game."

He said starter Jeremy Fujimoto walked four in the inning.

"He wasn't trying to walk anybody. He just labored. But as a team, we rallied."

Himuro relieved with the score 7-6, and he was able to end the rally with Augusta runners on first and second.

"We just told them to settle down, not to panic. The main thing is they don't lose their confidence and their composure," Kadooka said.

Punahou, which faces Nederland, Texas, today in another pool-play game, will pitch 13-year-old Marcus Yoshii.

Punahou is in the American Division with teams from Texas, Alabama, Washington and Maine.