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KENNEBUNK — Mia McCarthy came through in a big spot early in the game. Julia Pike made sure that was all the offense the Kennebunk softball team needed.

Pike struck out 12 while throwing a two-hitter, McCarthy drove in the only runs of the game with a two-run single, and No. 4 Kennebunk advanced with a 2-0 victory over No. 5 Biddeford in a Class A South quarterfinal.

“It’s definitely a lot more stress, I feel. I was feeling very nervous, kind of like your first game of the season,” said Pike, who improved to 9-3 while lowering her ERA to 0.85. “I feel like it really helped me. My teammates locked in, so it really helped me lock in.”

The Rams improved to 13-4 and will play No. 1 Cheverus on Saturday. Biddeford finished 11-6.

Key moments

• Talia Kellum was hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the first inning, and the Tigers intentionally walked Pike, putting two runners on. Two batters later, McCarthy, a sophomore, smacked the first pitch she saw up the middle, past the reach of pitcher Madi Roy.

McCarthy, who had a walk-off hit in a win over Massabesic on May 14, said she was eager to hit in a big spot.

“I’m used to it at this point, and I just love it so much. It’s so fun to me,” she said. “I know I just have to lock in. It’s me and the pitcher at that moment.”

• In the third, Eliza Doyon led off with a single, but Pike fanned the next two batters and got the third to ground out on a bunt attempt.

• In the bottom of the third, Melody Rousselle reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced on a wild pitch, and Paige Williams lofted a soft liner to shallow center, but Biddeford shortstop Jaylah Trottier made a running catch to save a run.

• Pike navigated around the Tigers’ biggest threat with two outs in the sixth. Trottier reached on an error and went to third on Mariah Villandry’s single, but Pike got Gabby Smith to pop up.

“I love having the butterflies. I love the feeling of somebody on third base and there’s a batter up, what will happen?” Pike said. “If there’s a passed ball or a hit, what’s going to happen? I love that stuff.”

Dazzling defense

• Kennebunk could have tacked on more runs but was stymied by Trottier’s play at short. The senior handled all five chances that went her way, and in addition to her leaping catch in the third, she made a backhanded stop in the hole in the sixth and a strong throw to — once again — deny Williams a hit.

“We could stand here and talk about accolades of her skills on the field, but it’s her leadership and her personality and getting an entire team to play with her that’s so impressive,” Biddeford coach Don Stanhope said. “(She’s) one of the best shortstops I’ve ever coached.”

Individual statistics

• Biddeford: Madi Roy (six innings, two hits, one strikeout), Mariah Villandry (single), Eliza Doyon (single)

• Kennebunk: Julia Pike (seven innings, two hits, 12 strikeouts), Mia McCarthy (two hits)

Notable quotes

• “The pressure really does help me, because I know I’m going to get a hit at that point.” — Mia McCarthy.

• “It took Mia a little while to be confident in that spot. The fact that she is is a huge testament to the fact that she’s working hard. I have the utmost confidence in her, and so do her teammates.” — Kennebunk coach Eddie Pike.

• “Our girls came in with a plan, stuck to that plan, and really performed better than we thought that they could. … We had some at-bats that really put (Pike) to the test.” — Don Stanhope.