Ashley Van Gieson's one out, two-run single in the top of the seventh inning snapped a 3-all game and Nanakuli edged Saint Francis, 5-4, Friday night to capture its first DataHouse Division II state girls' softball title at Patsy Mink Field on Maui.

Chyanne Koko (3-0 in the tournament) pitched a complete game, allowing four runs, two earned eight hits and four walks while striking out nine.

The second-seeded Golden Hawks (15-1), who won the OIA White title after finishing second to Kaiser (for their only loss) during the regular season. Nanakuli beat Kohala, 13-2, in the quarterfinals and Kauai, 10-0, in the semifinals.

With the game knotted at 3, Emma Kawaiaea led off with single, her third hit of the game, and took second when Precious Paulo-Meyers reached on a fielder's choice. Koko sacrifice bunt to third advanced the runners, setting up Van Gieson's two-run single to left to give Nanakuli a 5-3 lead. But Kelcie DeFreitas grounded out to the pitcher, advancing Van Gieson all the way to third base. Pinch hitter Raynette Kahalehoe-Meyers struck out to end the inning.

The Saints threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Katlin Santos led off with a walk, but was forced out at second when Rachel Carlos reached on a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop. Kelsie Hee's single moved Carlos to second before Ashley Kahapea-Wagner's RBI single pulled the Saints to 5-4. With the tying run at second and the winning run at first, Koko retired Simms on a pop to short and struck out Kenedee Passos to end the game.

Losing pitcher Simms, who combined on a no-hitter with Rasela Vili in the quarterfinals against Molokai, allowed five runs, 11 hits and a walk with two strikeouts in seven innings for the Saints.

The ILH champions Saints (9-11) were unseeded in the tourney. But they handled their competition well, beating Kaiser, 9-4, in the first round, beating fourth-seeded Molokai 10-0 using the mercy rule in the quarterfinals and then upset top-seeded Waimea, 14-6, in the semifinals.