Pac-Five pitcher Sheridan Mahelona missed the first half of the season with an illness, and Britney Hagihara struggled at the plate during the regular season.

But in the end the duo came through for Pac-Five as it beat Kaua'i, 4-2, in the final of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball Division II Championships yesterday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Mahelona, a sophomore right-hander, allowed two unearned runs and nine hits in a complete-game performance, while Hagihara singled in the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

"We're really proud of them," said Pac-Five coach Randy Oyama. "I think they did a great job. They believed in themselves and they never quit."

It was Pac-Five's second DII state championship in three years. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu has won all five crowns.

With the score tied 2-2 and two runners in scoring position, Hagihara blooped one just beyond the reach of the shortstop and into shallow left field. Samantha Ford and Angie Yoshizu scored on the play.

"I was just trying to keep the rally going," said Hagihara, a senior.

She finished 2 for 3 yesterday and also had two hits against Kapa'a in the semifinals.

"Bri is a great story," Oyama said. "She struggled all season. She made some adjustments at the end of the season and they came to fruition. It paid off because she started hitting the ball in this tournament."

Pac-Five (10-8) tied the score earlier in the inning on Yoshizu's double, which scored Keline Yoshimura.

Mahelona really battled adversity this season. She was diagnosed with lupus three years ago and has been battling the autoimmune disease ever since.

Earlier this season, she said she lost 20 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks.

"That was hard," Mahelona said. "I'm still struggling with it. I can't be in the sun. I have to wear a hat and stuff."

Mahelona said she was "very nervous" and had to "really breathe" out on the field against Kaua'i.

Mahelona got the start last night only because ace Leeann Lariosa and Chanel Casamina, both University High seniors, were unavailable because they attended their graduation ceremony.

Pac-Five is a combined team. This year's softball team had eight players from University High, five from Hawai'i Baptist, two from Lutheran and one from Word of Life.

Mahelona allowed runs in the first and third innings. She put the potential tying run on base in the seventh, but got a deep flyout to center fielder Chante' Tesoro to end the game.

"What was working mostly was fastballs and drops and screws and I threw one change-up," Mahelona said. "I was keeping it low and outside."

It was the second consecutive season Kaua'i (13-2) lost in the final.

Wailana Borrero pitched a seven-hitter for Kaua'i, the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation champion and No. 1 seed.

"It was really tough," said Kaua'i coach Darrell Borrero. "These girls worked hard and they wanted it really bad. They weren't satisfied with second place coming here. They wanted the whole thing. Unfortunately, they came up a little short."

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.

KAPA'A 3, LANA'I 2

Leilani Laranio drove in the winning run on a bunt in the bottom of the seventh as the Warriors (8-9) beat the Pine Lasses (10-9) for third place. Leeana Baltazar scored to cap the two-run inning.

LANA'I (10-9) 000 110—2 3 2

KAPA'A (8-9) 010 002—3 3 2

Kaila Daniels and Nani Zabian. Hanalei Gomes and Kori Kimura. W — Gomes. L — Daniels.

Leading hitters — Lana'i: Daniels 1-2, double, RBI; Deana Ganer-Eskaran 1-2, double, RBI. Kapa'a: Jocelyn Enrique double, RBI, run; Leilani Loranio 1-2, RBI, run; Pristian Fejeder 1-2.