Nanakuli's Kaila Burnett slides in for the game-winning run against Aiea in the OIA Division II championship game. John Lujan | SL

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Facing two outs and the game on the line, Daria Kawaauhau's walk-off single helped rally eighth-ranked Nanakuli past Aiea, 3-2 to claim their first Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II title since 2014 at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium on Saturday evening. It was a repeat of last year's title game where Aiea won, 10-8 in eight innings, but it was Nanakuli's time to celebrate.

"It feels good for all the hard work we did in practice and we came a long way not to give up," said pitcher Kanalei McCoy.

"It's an old cliché that we've been here before and it's been a one run or one pitch, one throw, that kind of thing. I preached that before the game and sometimes it takes one pitch and one throw to make the difference in the game and tonight was a good example of that," said Nanakuli coach Ricky Gusman.

The Golden Hawks finish the season unblemished at 15-0 to capture their fourth overall title, but it wasn't easy for the first six innings.

Both Nanakuli and Aiea clinch spots in the DataHouse/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Softball State Championships at Patsy Mink Softball Stadium in Maui.

"They earned it and did what they had to do at the right time. We were one strike away and we take the sting of the swing for that one batter," said Aiea coach Alan Higuchi. "Hopefully we can regroup and have opportunity to play more games. Every game these girls can play is an opportunity to get better and experience the pressures of the game."

Nanakuli beat Aiea on Mar. 12, 21-0 in five innings, however in that game the Na Alii were without key players battling injuries and players were out of their normal positions. Tonight was a different story as Aiea held Nanakuli in check for most of the game.

"You don't do that to Aiea and that score did not dictate how they played or how we played. But with Poamai on the mound it changed the situation. Alan and his staff are good at doing these things, he's a smart coach and have a great organization and it was about trying to match with them," said Gusman.

"For them to persist through the season and I give them credit for it and they held up the fort until we got key players back and that's what we can expect as a team," said Higuchi.

Aiea was in control for most of the game as Poamai Tuli struck out Alohilani Hauhio and forced Chalyssa-Ann Belford to pop out to the short stop for the second out. With their backs against the wall, Kika Mahoe was able to reach on error on the third baseman and Kaila Burnett's double to deep right field brought in the tying run. Keani Sonogini-Keopuhiwa was hit by a pitch and Kawaauhau's single to left field brought in Burnett for the winning run.

"I knew I had to clutch up for my teammates and I knew had to clutch up and came through for my teammates," said Kawaauhau. "I've been in that situation multiple times and failed. I don't like that feeling and I pulled through for it."

"Daria in the past has struggled in the playoffs and she'd have her hits from time to time and sometimes I would take her out of games in crucial situations to have someone hit in her spot. It was redemption and it was her time," said Gusman, on Kawaauhau. "I told her, ‘If we don't score with your bat we don't lose, we score with your bat, we win.'"

Kanalei McCoy pitched a full game to strike out six and walked four in the win.

"My defense always backs me up and I'm positive we can hold down anyone," said McCoy.

Tuli threw four strikes and went 3-for-3 from the plate and had an RBI to help lead Aiea.

Chantelle Shimabukuro singled to left center field to lead off the fourth inning. McCoy walked Tesi Tavale and Mikelle Gonzales was able to move Shimabukuro and Tavale over with a sacrifice bunt. Tuli hit a single to shallow right field to score Shimabukuro to break the scoreless stalemate and Tavale scored after Trini Atuatasi reached on fielder's choice for a 2-0 lead.

Nanakuli took advantage as Sonogini-Keopuhiwa scored off of Tuli's wild pitch that went past Tavale for the Golden Hawks' first run of the game.

The Na Alii defense held tough for the next two innings to allow three Nanakuli hits. With two outs, the Golden Hawks had an opportunity to tie in the sixth as Kama Kaeo doubled deep to left center, but Ashley Van Gieson grounded out to short to end the inning.

Nanakuli stepped up in the top of the seventh as McCoy and the defense forced three-straight batters to ground out to give their bats an opportunity to set up the exciting finish.