'94 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPS LOOK TO REPEAT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

They're back. . . .

Two years after winning the 13-year-old Little League World Series, Thousand Oaks Little League has another team contending for a championship.

Well, actually it's the same team, just two years older.

Ten players from the team that won the title for 13-year-olds will try to duplicate the honor as 15-year-olds. They're certainly well on their way, having already won their district and sectional championships.

But it gets slightly tougher over the next five days as Thousand Oaks will battle seven other outstanding teams in the Southern California Regionals at Thousand Oaks High School.

The tournament will get under way Saturday right after opening ceremonies, which start at 9:30 a.m.

``The 10 guys that are back are extremely focused to get back (to the World Series),'' said Thousand Oaks coach Ed Kitchen, who also coached the team when they were 13-year-olds.

At stake this week is a spot in the western regionals next week in Montana. The winner there will advance to the World Series in Florida.

Kitchen believes the experience gained two years ago has proven invaluable this time around.

But he cautions against overconfidence.

``We can't look too far ahead,'' he said. ``This regional is the toughest in the country. After we won it two years ago, the rest was a piece of cake.''

Much like in 1994, pitching and defense have been the strength for Thousand Oaks.

In eight wins thus far, Kitchen has used eight different pitchers. And that's not counting their ace in the hole, Wes Munyon, who has yet to throw a pitch but can hurl a ball over 80 miles an hour.

``He's our secret weapon,'' Kitchen said. ``When he was 13 years old he (bench-pressed) 300 pounds.''

Those who have impressed on the mound include Chris Strauser, Ryan Ayers, Chris Cordeiro, Matt Rogers, Brian Jacobsen, Kris Palomares and Kevin Howard.

Defensively, Thousand Oaks has gotten a giant lift from its outfield, which possesses an enormous amount of speed and agility.

The fastest of the group is center fielder Fran Adams.

``Three-fourths of the world is covered by water,'' Kitchen said. ``The rest of it is covered by Fran Adams.''

Kitchen is joking, sort of.

``A guy will hit the ball to center field and I can hear the other team's coach saying `it's going to fall, it's going to fall' and I'm (thinking) yeah, it's falling right into Fran's glove.''

But while Adams controls things in center, he gets tremendous help from either Jessie Siebers or Palomeres to his left and Munyon to his right.

In the infield, Howard has been spectacular at shortstop. He'll be a sophomore at Westlake High School next year and is already serving notice that he'll be a force to be reckoned with as a pitcher, fielder and hitter.

``He made two of the best plays I've ever seen (against West Hills),'' Kitchen said.

Zeke Morrow and Rogers rotate at second base while Jacobsen and Ayers split time at third.

Jonathan Shepard, who plays first base, is making the same type of impact he made in 1994.

``We would have never made the World Series had he not made what I call the `Miraculous Catch' two years ago,'' said Kitchen of a catch Shepard made over his shoulder with his back to the ball. ``I couldn't believe he made that catch.''

Catcher Doug Hutton has been solid behind the plate and Chris Catalano has provided a spark off the bench.

``He'd be a starter on any other all-star team,'' Kitchen said.

Kitchen feels the key this year has been Thousand Oaks' never-say-die attitude. Twice along the way they've fell behind by big deficits only to race back and win.

``They just never quit,'' he said. ``And they play hard every inning of every game no matter who they're playing.''