Common versions go like this: "If we woulda not let such and such happen, we coulda done better," or "We shoulda done this or that, then we coulda won."

Yet, coaches often find the situation unavoidable. After all, they sympathize for their teams that have invested many long hours of preparation into achieving a specific goal.

Manager Mike DeSilva recently found himself in such a dilemma, after an incredible run by Sunnyvale National Little League's major all-stars ended with a trainwreck of an inning at the Little League Softball West Regional.

"Although we came up one win short of playing for the chance to go to the World Series, " DeSilva lamented. "I believe we were the best team there."

After excellent pitching and sure-handed fielding had successfully carried Sunnyvale National through three qualifying tournaments and four games of pool play into the West semi-finals, the defense suddenly ­ and just temporarily ­ collapsed.

Four walks and two errors in the fourth inning of National's semi-final led to a six-run rally for its opponent from Kirkland, Washington.

The six runs were one more than the total National allowed while winning nine straight games in District 44, Section 5 and California Division 2 tourneys. More importantly the six runs turned a 5-1 Sunnyvale lead into a 7-5 loss, pushing Sunnyvale into the third-place game and boosting Kirkland into the championship game.

The Sunnyvale girls took out their frustrations on the Montana state champion the next day, Aug. 8, rolling to a 12-2 victory and third place at the 10-team tournament held July 31-Aug. 8 in Vancouver, Wash.

Kirkland lost in the championship game, 3-2 to Pendleton, the Oregon champion, a team Sunnyvale beat 5-0 in its West Regional opener.

Sunnyvale National made it clear from the beginning of the regional that it was a team to be reckoned with.

"Jessica Lopez pitched a no-hitter against the team that won it all," DeSilva exclaimed, referring to the opening win over Pendleton.

Two days later Sunnyvale made it two shutouts in two games, Taylor DeSilva pitching a one-hitter against a team from Lone Mountain, Nev.

Sunnyvale's third game, against Tanque Verde Little League of Tucson, Ariz., marked the first time in 12 tournament outings that it was really challenged.

"For the first time Sunnyvale National has had its back against the wall," coach Michael Arevalo noted after National responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim a 5-4 victory. "This showed that we can go up against the best anybody has to bring on."

Celine Kealiinohomoku's double to the gap in left centerfield started the rally after the first two batters were put out. Chrissy Montez followed with an RBI base hit and advanced to second base on Arizona's throw to the plate. However, she didn't stop at second.

As the ball briefly squirted away from the catcher, Montez raced for third and slid as a throw was arriving from the catcher. When the ball rolled into short left field, she made a mad dash for the plate. But Arizona's defense quickly retrieved the ball and hurried it to the catcher, who was waiting for Montez.

Determined not to make the final out and lose the game, Montez hurdled the catcher and the plate to avoid a tag. She then dove back, her hand touching the plate for the tying run.

DeSilva continued the inning with a shot down the third base line. The third baseman was able to knock it down and hold DeSilva to a single. Pinch-runner Christina Meneses moved to second when Christine Lozano walked, then came around with the go-ahead run on two passed balls.

Arizona put two runners on base in the last of the sixth, but Sunnyvale pitcher Corina Rios was able to end the threat with a strikeout.

The victory clinched first place in the five-team Northwest pool and landed Sunnyvale a spot in the semi-finals. But first the final round of pool play needed to be completed.

In what amounted to be a practice game, as the outcome had no bearing on the tournament, Southern California champ Temecula edged Sunnyvale 5-4. The locals' bats were silent for five innings, before rallying for four runs in the sixth.

Rios also pitched in the third-place game against Montana, recording 12 of 15 outs with strikeouts. Rios helped herself at the plate with two hits and three RBIs. Her two-run triple in the last of the fifth created a 10-run margin and forced the game to be called because of the "mercy rule."

Malyka Pettigrue, Montez, Lozano, DeSilva and Kealiinohomoku all had two hits in the win.

Oregon went on to the World Series, where it posted a 2-3 record for eighth place. Meanwhile, Sunnyvale returned home with its excellent record and the temptation to play "Woulda, Should, Coulda."

For the record, Sunnyvale National won 13 of 15 games at four all-star tournaments and outscored opponents 177-23. At the West Regional the Sunnyvale girls won four of six, outscoring their foes 41-18.

"All in all, it was a great experience," DeSilva said, "but I know we left people wondering 'did the best team win?'"