ST. JOSEPH, MO. » Hawaii Pacific softball coach Bryan Nakasone said reaching today's title game of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship is like finally being asked to dance at the prom.

The third-ranked Sea Warriors (49-8) will have to put their best foot forward in a winner-take-all game at 9 a.m. Hawaii time against second-ranked Valdosta State (Ga.). After a day of rest before their semifinal game against Metro State (Colo.), their legs were fresh in the 7-2 victory over the Roadrunners.

“;Now is a great time for us. It's a wonderful feeling. We worked hard for it,”; said Nakasone, who has been with the program for 17 years and is in his second year as head coach.

It looked tenuous early when the Sea Warriors had six singles in the first three innings, but scored only one run and stranded seven runners. Then the momentum swung in MSU's favor when Jennessa Tesone singled up the middle for two runs to give the Roadrunners a 2-1 lead in the third. They were the first two earned runs given up by starter Sherise Musquiz in the championship.

“;I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I didn't think I could shut out everybody,”; said Musquiz (33-3), who entered the game with a 0.94 ERA. “;But I just tried to come back. I told myself, 'It's all right. It's just two runs. We can do this.' “;

They did, thanks to some timely hitting by Musquiz, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. More importantly, it was the 6-foot pitcher's hustle from home to first that allowed her to beat out an infield single for the go-ahead RBI.

Nakasone joked, “;Good for long legs, huh?”;

That took place in the fourth inning. Musquiz's infield hit was preceded by a big play at the plate that tied the game 2-2. On a groundout to the pitcher by Maile Kim, Chante Tesoro broke from third to home and got her hand on the plate while sliding to the third-base dugout side of the plate. It was enough to elude the tag of catcher Lauren Hainlen after the throw from first.

“;When I sent Chante home, she made the only possible slide to be safe. Had she slid any other way, she would have been out. The catcher had the plate blocked pretty well and she dove around the catcher,”; said Nakasone.

Then Musquiz followed with a dribbler down the third-base line.

“;Their (the Roadrunners) defense was playing kind of deep,”; Nakasone said. “;I was kind of surprised about that. It wasn't that hard of a hit.”;

On a team with nine freshmen, Nakasone said the senior leadership took over when the Sea Warriors were behind.

“;One of our senior leaders, Ciera (Senas), stepped in and told them, 'C'mon everybody. Nobody on the fence. Nobody sits down until we get this lead back.' I think that was the turning point.”;

The Sea Warriors put runners on in every inning and finished with 14 hits. The only extra-base hit was a double by Nicole Morrow that was lost in the sun in left field.

Now the task is facing Valdosta State (51-8), which hasn't lost in the championship, either.

“;I think tomorrow's (Monday's) game is going to be who makes the biggest mistake at a crucial time,”; said Nakasone, who is attempting to guide the Sea Warriors to a title in their first trip to the NCAA Division II Championship.