Baldwin High School senior Nicole Alconcel's varsity softball career started with great promise, endured much heartbreak and ended in jubilation.

It also finished with Advertiser State Player of the Year honors after a recent vote of coaches and media.

"It's pretty much a fairy tale ending, happily ever after," Alconcel said after pitching a five-hitter with seven strikeouts and producing the state championship game's only runs with a two-run homer against Mililani.

Alconcel, a senior right-hander, was a unanimous choice for The Advertiser's top honors after going 13-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League, with a 0.25 ERA, 97 strikeouts, 12 shutouts and two no-hitters, then winning all three starts in the state tournament by allowing just one run on eight hits and striking out 25 in 21 innings. In the state semifinals and finals, she also won the game with her bat, hitting two-run homers each night.

Alconcel batted .424 in the MIL, with two doubles, two home runs, 16 RBIs and 14 runs, then went 4-for-8 in the state tournament with a triple, two home runs and four RBIs.

"This year, she really stepped it up," Mililani coach Rose Antonio said. "Everything was working for her, and her maturity level, her poise, her presence is better. She was awesome."

Alconcel was the Bears' ace since her freshman year, but lost in the state quarterfinals in each of her first three seasons. Two of those defeats came to Mililani, one in 12 innings and another in 11 innings.

She is joined on The Advertiser's All-State first team by two other Baldwin seniors, catcher Sanoe Kekahuna and outfielder June Ann Lusk.

Kekahuna, a repeat selection, batted a staggering .688 in the MIL, with five doubles, four home runs, 20 RBIs, 11 walks and 18 runs scored.

Lusk batted .472 with one triple, seven stolen bases, six RBIs and 12 runs scored while playing solid defense in center field.

Mililani led all schools with five first-team selections: first baseman Tierra Cuba, second baseman Kristi Oshiro, shortstop Courtney Senas, outfielder Glenelle Nitta and pitcher Makani Duhaylonsod.

Cuba, a senior, batted .365 with 14 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .411, and was a slick fielder at first base.

Senas and Oshiro formed an outstanding freshman middle infield for the Trojans, peaking in the postseason with dazzling plays on defense. Senas also was a force at the plate, batting .540 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

She was named the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division Player of the Year.

Oshiro batted leadoff, hitting .440 with 10 doubles, one triple, eight walks, 16 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .556.

Nitta, a sophomore, batted .346 and provided outstanding defense in right field.

Duhaylonsod, a junior and three-year starter, went 14-3 with a 1.26 ERA, 70 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 106 innings pitched. She also batted .410 with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

Interscholastic League of Honolulu champ St. Francis placed three on the All-State first team: first baseman Shannon Lum, third baseman Sasha Koki and utility/designated player Keala Bertulfo.

Lum, a senior and repeat first-team selection, was one of the state's most feared sluggers. She batted .387, with five doubles, three triples, six home runs and 24 walks. Her on-base percentage was .641.

Koki, also a senior, batted .483 with eight doubles, three triples, three home runs and an on-base percentage of .691. She also was a solid fielder and was named ILH Player of the Year.

Bertulfo, a freshman, batted .416 with five doubles, two triples, two home runs and an on-base percentage of .628.

Campbell, which won its first OIA Western Division title, was represented on the All-State first team by outfielder Shelei Murray-Thornton and utility/designated player Sam Palipti, both seniors.

Murray-Thornton was a dangerous hitter who made several outstanding plays in center field. Palipti was a solid hitter who also filled in at third base.

'Iolani shortstop Kaz Masutani and Kapolei outfielder Ka'ili Smith round out the first team.

Masutani, a senior, batted over .300 as a leadoff hitter with 13 walks, 16 runs scored, three doubles and a triple. She also was a smooth fielder who often made difficult plays look easy.

Smith, a junior and three-time All-State selection, was one of Hawai'i's finest all-around talents with her powerful batting, speed on the bases and outstanding defense in center field.

Baldwin's Rudy Souza was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Bears to a 17-0 record in the regular and postseason. Souza retired after 30 years with the Baldwin program.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.