The Lahaina Girls Softball 14 and Under team will travel to Utah to play in the Western Region National Tournament on July 28 to Aug. 1.

LAHAINA — On the surface, Lahaina Girls Softball 14 and Under coach Cy Miyamoto displays a calm, cool and happy demeanor. But behind that exterior beats the heart of a steadfast competitor.

So it is no surprise that Coach Cy led the Lahaina Girls team to their second straight 14 and Under title at the Hawaii Girls Softball State Championships at Central Oahu Regional Park two weeks ago.

Miyamoto, along with coaches Lei Nakamura, Nolle Smith, Charles Wallace and Joshua Wallace, also led the Lahaina 12 and Under team to the state title last year.

Led by the strong pitching of Brenna Nakamura, Taylor Neizman and Shelby Uwekoolani, as well as stellar defense from the entire 16-player roster, the Lahaina Girls swept through the competition at CORP field with a 5-0 mark to win the championship trophy for 2009.

The team thus qualified for the Western Region National Tournament in two weeks in Utah.    

Rounding out the Lahaina roster are Jina Miyamoto, Tea Smith, Amanda Murphy, Kekuu Haake, Jessica Wallace, Halii Vierra, Mehana Chang, Kaua Arcangel, Kennedy Casco, Bridget Joy, Lavinia Pasikala and Lyla Kaniho-Talaroc.

Like last season, the Lahaina team scrambled during the regular season here on Maui, finishing with a .500 record entering the state competition.

“We really never had our full team together until very late,” explained Coach Cy last week. “It was an effort to get things organized and blend in the new players. The whole team came a long way.”

Indeed, with but three players returning from last year’s team, the molding of the 16 players into championship form took supreme effort by players and coaches alike.    

“Everyone — players and coaches — all had a positive attitude,” he said. “We knew we had talent, especially our pitchers, but the kids were scattered in the early part of the season. They really put in the effort to bring it together, and the five coaches put their heads together to make it happen. We just wanted the girls to play hard, and they responded by bonding together on and off the field.”

Now, the Lahaina team will focus its collective attention on the national tournament on July 28 to Aug. 1 in Utah.

Coach Cy reported that the team raised funds at its concession stand earlier in the year to finance the Mainland trip.

“Thanks to all the parents for pulling together to make this happen,” he concluded.