BY BILL STEWART

Staff Writer

They're back.

The Capital Mainiacs, an Augusta youth softball team comprised of players ages 12 and under, qualified for a regional tournament with a chance to reach the national stage for the second time in three summers.

The Mainiacs, who are under the Capital Area Youth Softball Association umbrella, competed in the 2007 national tournament in Alabama as 10-year-olds. Several players on this year's team played for that 2007 club.

"We have the same group of kids," Mainiacs coach Noel Levasseur said. "We've had a very successful group of players."

The team rallied to win the state tournament two weeks ago and will head to Keene, N.H., for the regional tournament, which begins Friday. The Mainiacs defeated the Messalonskee Riptide to win the state tournament.

"We fought back from the loser's bracket," Levasseur said. "We had to beat an undefeated team twice, and we did via the mercy rule."

Sonja Morse and Arika Brochu anchor the pitching staff, which Levasseur says is the team's strength.

"We have very excellent pitching," he said. "We are blessed with deep pitching and that is crucial in these tournaments."

Added Brochu, 12: "We got into a bad position and we came back. We gave all of our efforts for one game and got back into winner's bracket."

Alyssa Dennett (catcher), Olivia Deeves (third baseman), Haley Quirion (outfield), Abby Wormell (first baseman) and Samantha Larrabee (shortstop) enjoyed strong performances in the state tournament, Levasseur said.

"Deeves hit like .750 in the state tournament and Haley had a heck of a tournament," he said. "Abby Wormell is a reserve player who got an opportunity to play. And she started hitting the heck out of the ball. She played an excellent first base, too."

The Mainiacs began play in May and will wrap up the season in August. In between, the team will travel across New England and beyond for a variety of tournaments.

After the regionals in New Hampshire, the Mainiacs will participate in the Ocean State Invitational in Warwick, R.I. Ocean State beat the Mainiacs in the regional finals last season, then invited them to play in their tournament.

"We got along great with them and they asked us to come play in their tournament," Levasseur said. "There'll be teams from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York there. We are very excited."

The Mainiacs will also compete in a tournament in Virginia later this summer.

"We've only had two losses this year," Brochu said. "Our team is really good. We have an awesome defense; nothing can get by us."

Brochu helped the Mainiacs reach the 2007 national tournament, which was held in Auburn, Ala.

"I was the pitcher for that team," she said. "It's such a great experience. The teams are just really tougher. I loved the experience."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com