Nanakuli's Shaina Souza follows through for a base hit against Saint Francis. Brien Ing | SL

Purchase image 1 of 4

Saint Francis' Korie Matsumura fields a ground ball against Nanakuli. Brien Ing | SL

Purchase image 2 of 4

Saint Francis pitcher Shaye Simms throws a pitch to the plate against Nanakuli. Brien Ing | SL

Purchase image 3 of 4

Nanakuli's Cheyenne Koko heads for home after hitting a solo shot against Saint Francis. Brien Ing | SL

Purchase image 4 of 4

MANOA – Chyanne Koko was a one-girl wrecking crew for Nanakuli (17-0), as she pitched and hit the Lady Hawks to victory Thursday afternoon at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

"I was nervous," said Koko who's on her way to William & Penn University (Iowa) next year. "This game was very important, I really wanted to go to the championship game."

The senior threw a two-hit shutout with six strike outs and had a solo homerun to help propel Nanakuli to a 6-0 win over Saint Francis, and into the championship game of the DataHouse/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Divison II Softball Championships for the second straight year.

"Saint Francis is always going to be a formidable opponent and their pitching staff is tough. When you face that kind of pitching runs are few and far in between," said Nanakuli coach Ricky Gusman "You have to give St. Francis credit they played tough and that's the way it should be played."

Nanakuli started off right away in the first inning with a leadoff hit and stolen base by senior Alexis Paulo-Meyers. After a pop up the third hitter in the lineup Emma Kawaiaea brought in Paulo-Meyers with an RBI double.

A pitcher's duel was on display for the next three innings.  As St. Francis starter Shaye Simms matched Koko's brilliance in the second, third and fourth innings where she only allowed a walk with no hits to the Nanakuli bats.

Then in the fifth Nanakuli got back-to-back one out single from left fielder Shaina Souza and Paulo-Meyers. With two outs Kawaiaea delivered again with an RBI single to make 2-0 in favor of the Lady Hawks.

Still looking for her first hit Koko came up to bat in the top of the sixth and hit a deep fly ball into right field that carried out over the 200 feet fence.
 
"I was just thinking line drive," said Koko "When I hit it I thought it was just a fly ball so I was running hard and then I saw it go over."

A walk and a single set the table for Paulo-Meyers and she delivered with a two-RBI triple that chased Sims out of the game.  An illegal pitch by the reliever Resela Vili scored Paulo-Meyer and gave the Lady Hawks a four spot in the sixth.
 
"All I thought was we needed more runs," said Paulo-Meyer who's on her way to Eastern Arizona College. "I got a fastball on the outside and just hit it hard." Paulo-Meyer finished 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

Koko only needed three pitches in in the sixth to retire the Saints in order. Then in the seventh it was fitting that Koko struck out two batters including the final out to end the game and send Nanakuli to the Championship.

The Lady Hawks will have a chance to defend their title and have advanced to their third straight title game.  Their 2012 title game appearance ended in a loss to Waimea who oddly enough will be their opponent Friday at 5 p.m.

"There's been a bullseye on our back since we won last year, but I'd rather have it then be chasing the bullseye," said coach Gusman "Is it comfortable? Never. Am I always looking over my shoulder? Everyday."