Mikayla Kekoa pitched a complete game shutout with five strikeouts and drove in five runs to lead the Cowgirls over the Pine Lasses. CJ Caraang | SL

---

Mikayla Kekoa pitched a complete game shutout with five strikeouts and drove in five runs to lead the Cowgirls over the Pine Lasses. CJ Caraang | SL

---

Mikayla Kekoa wasn't going to let her team suffer a first round loss in the state tournament in back-to-back years.

The sophomore pitcher pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and drove in five runs to power Kohala over Lanai, 12-0, Wednesday evening in the opening round of the DataHouse/HHSAA Division II state tournament at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium.

The Cowgirls, the third place team from the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, will meet second-seeded and Oahu Interscholastic Association champ Aiea in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal on Thursday.

Kohala was also the lone BIIF team to record a win on Wednesday. Konawaena and Honokaa fell to Radford and Waipahu respectively and Kealakehe lost to Campbell in the Division I state tournament.

Kekoa, who also had a home run, was one of three Cowgirls with multiple hits. In the pitching circle she allowed just four hits and one walk to help shutout the Pine Lasses.

Lanai starter Sadie Schilling was chased after 1 1/3 innings and was charged with the loss.