Absolute Blasts' first baseman stretches to make the play. Smedes photo.

PORTLAND, OR - Fifty-four of the best 18U girls’ softball teams from around the western United States met in Portland, Oregon, August 2-7, to vie for the 2005 ASA Western National championship title. The double elimination tournament was an immensely competitive draw of teams, as twenty of the squads won at least three games before bowing out after their second loss.

The talented team from Mililani, Hawaii made their long distance trip to the mainland worth the effort as they sailed through the bracket with a perfect 6-0 record. Mililani, on the strength of a pitching staff that conceded only six runs in six games, combined the fantastic pitching effort with timely hitting in the semi-final and final championship games to stake their claim as the best 18U softball club for 2005.

The championship game saw a dramatic and thrilling conclusion to the tournament as Mililani faced off against the California Haze from Sebastapol, CA. In a game that was truly a classic, Mililani defeated the Haze, who finished at 6-2, to land the tournament’s first place trophy.

After Mililani Prep and California Haze, third place was Team Sorcerer (5-2) from San Ramon, CA and fourth place finisher from West Valley City, Utah was the Utah Crusherzz (5-2). The top finisher from the tournament’s host state was Red Heat E who finished in a tie for 13th place with a 4-2 record.