Cheyenne Lute pitched a complete game striking out five, walking three and holding Pac-Five to one hit for the win. CJ Caraang | SL

×

05141559_HU2A0398.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

Nanakuli took down top-seeded Pac-Five, 3-1 in the DataHouse/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Softball State Championships quarterfinals at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium to advance to the semifinals to play fourth-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium at UH-Manoa. The Wolfpack will play Lanai at 5 p.m. at McKinley in the consolation bracket for fifth place.

Mahina Piilani led the way for the Golden Hawks going 3-for-3, 2RBI and a home run. Cheyenne Lute pitched a complete game striking out five, walking three and holding Pac-Five to one hit for the win.

"We're a family on and off the field and they got my back so I know I can count on them," said Lute.

"The pitcher always works hard so the defense has to back her up. So while she's working hard, we're working hard too," said Piilani.

Kanalei McCoy doubled to right field to lead off the bottom of the second and scored off of an error by Cameron Peterson.

Piilani socked a solo home run in the fourth inning over the left center fence to put the Golden Hawks up, 2-0.

"It felt good and we just have to hit like that all the time, it just happened," said Piilani. "The help of the team support helps and them cheering you on, it feels good so you have to do it for them."

Megan Yoshioka pitched the whole game, allowing eight hits and three runs, two were unearned, and had five strikeouts to take the loss.

Pac-Five finally got on board in the sixth inning after Karley Ann Yoshioka reached on an error by McCoy. Yoshioka moved to second on Noelle Nakamura's sacrifice bunt and scored off of a wild pitch for the Wolfpack's only run of the game.

McCoy, who went 2-for-3, doubled to lead off and Piilani brought her in for her second RBI of the game with a single to make it 3-1.

"She comes in the clutch and it's not the first time and we can depend on her," said Lute.

In the seventh, Alisha Candelario flied out to right field for the first out, but Peterson reached on error by the short stop. Lute struck out Kailee Russell, but Brazzlynn Tovio-Asato singled as the Wolfpack placed the tying runs on first and second. However, Nanakuli picked off Tovio-Asato on a fielder's choice to end the game.