July 24, 2006

T.O. reaches Big League regional championship
By Rich Romine
Ventura County Star

The Thousand Oaks Big League All-Stars came out swinging again on Sunday and rolled past Puget Sound, Wash., 14-3, to advance to the Western Regional Tournament championship game on Tuesday at Ollala, Wash.

Thousand Oaks, which consists of 17- and 18-year-olds, is 3-0 in the tournament and has outscored the opposition 47-20.

Mitch Rudebusch pitched a five-hitter with five strikeouts in the five-inning mercy-rule win.

Cody Fierro of Thousand Oaks hit two homers and added a single in driving in five runs. Garrett Rau had two hits, including a homer and three RBIs. Ben Yarin had a homer and a single with two RBIs. Michael Ricatto had a solo homer. Brett Fick had two hits and scored two runs. Kyle Jones had two hits, including a double and two RBIs. Cole Kahle and Kellen Fink scored two runs.

Coach Ron Peters said the team is looking forward to a day off. Thousand Oaks will play the winner of today's 7 p.m. game between Puget Sound and Northern California's San Ramon. If a deciding game is needed, it will be played Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Peters was pleased with Sunday's performance.

"We played a solid game. We're hitting the ball well and we had great pitching," Peters said.

If Thousand Oaks (11-2 overall) wins the regional title, it flies to Easley, S.C., on Thursday morning to prepare for Saturday's opening game in the Big League World Series against Puerto Rico, the Latin American champion. Game time will be noon PDT. The tournament championship will be Aug. 5.

Arroyo Grande wins: The 11-12-year-old host Arroyo Grande All-Stars defeated Lompoc Village Hills 11-9 in eight innings Sunday in a Section 1 Tournament elimination game.

Arroyo Grande plays Moorpark today at 5 p.m. for the championship. Arroyo Grande has to defeat Moorpark twice to win the championship.

If deciding a game is needed, it will be played Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Northside stays alive: The Oxnard Northside Little Leaguers erupted for eight runs on seven hits in the first inning to eliminate Santa Maria Northside 12-2 in Sunday's 9-10-year-old Section 1 Tournament at Dos Pueblos.

Cody Santana, Jacob Hernandez and Carlos Santana hit doubles. Andrew Amezcua collected a triple. Tyler Spencer was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts.

Northside will play Dos Pueblos in today's 5:30 p.m. championship game. Northside must win today and Tuesday to earn the title. The tournament champion advances to Thursday's Southern California State Championship Tournament at Live Oak Park in Temple City with a 5:30 p.m. The tournament championship will be Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.