Glen Pascual | SL

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PAC-5's season of expectation has been realized.

The Wolfpack outlasted Nanakuli 7-6 in the title game of the Data House/HHSAA Division II Softball State Championships Saturday at Patsy Mink Field on Maui.

After being eliminated the past two seasons by Kapaa - including in the state final two years ago - PAC-5 began the season with a run at the Division 2 state crown squarely in its sights. The Warriors' move to Division I this season created the obvious absence of the perennial contender. However, the Wolfpack knew they still had to navigate the season and had no room for error come state tournament time. While their participation in the tournament was assured as the lone eligible representative from the ILH, the games at states produced much suspense.

In their semifinal against top seeded Radford, PAC-5 had to overcome an 11-6 deficit late in the game. Junior catcher Emi Yamane threw out a would be base stealer to end the bottom of the fifth inning to seemingly spark the team. The Wolfpack responded with a 10-run sixth inning to erase the deficit before holding on for the 16-12 win. Senior first baseman Kate Iida led the way for PAC-5 going 3-5 with two homeruns and four RBI.

The tournament final against unseeded OIA champion Nanakuli provided more drama worthy of a championship tilt.

Sophomore Kailey Naehu was a one person wrecking crew for the Golden Hawks going 3-3 to drive in three runs. She also pitched the entire game striking out nine against five walks. Her all-around play helped stake Nanakuli to a 5-4 lead. In all, there were four lead changes in the game.

The Wolfpack again mounted their comeback in the sixth inning. Senior utilty player Dahlia Gangano - who batted 4-4 in the game - got things started with a one-out single, then promptly stole second. Yamane followed with a bunt single. Junior Mauliola Zuttermeister drove in Gangano with a sacrifice fly. A walk by senior Kaimana Siu loaded the bases. PAC-5 plated two more runs as a result of a Golden Hawk error. Destiny Tautofi pitched the final two and a third innings to pick up the win for the Wolfpack. The senior - in her first year with the team following Sacred Hearts' discontinuing the sport - pitched in all three tournament games logging eleven and two thirds innings with a 3.09 ERA.

The championship is the seventh Division 2 state crown for PAC-5 and second under head coach Blake Lau. "These girls worked very hard. They came out all these days and I'm so happy for them. Every senior, all the students from every school...they did it. They did everything."

Iida, Siu and right fielder Emily Aikau - all four-year starters for the Wolfpack - now have bookend state titles for their prep careers.

Iida - one of the team captains - reflected on ending her senior year with the championship. "It's a such a relief to know that all the hard work at practice, all the hours put in, it all paid off. I'm just so happy for our team." She added, "I'm definitely going to think of this night, of all our accomplishments, and my time here since freshman year...it's been such a roller-coaster and I'm just so grateful for this opportunity."

On her first year with PAC-5, Tautofi shared, "It's incredible, coming onto to the PAC-5 team and winning states this first year, it's something I didn't expect. I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to experience this with this team."