ALL-STARS AT HOME ON ROAD; COACHES STRESS ENJOYING THE RIDE.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

With a weekend victory over a talented regional foe, the Thousand Oaks Little League All-Stars are enjoying their successful string of ever more challenging contests.

Yet, heading into Monday's sectional winner's bracket game against Hanford, players, coaches and parents were reminding themselves that the win over rival Woodland Hills was only one game.

Their mission is to relax and enjoy the experience. So far, that has been the recipe for success.

``(The coach) says to go out and play hard and have fun,'' said Jake Brin, one of the team's leading pitchers and infielders. ``What keeps us going is everyone playing well together. We're feeling pretty good.''

Tapping into the budding team chemistry is coach Ed Kitchens, who reminds the 11- and 12-year-olds to take each game one pitch at a time.

``We've been through it before - we know how to prepare the kids,'' Kitchens said. ``They all know what the big picture is, but they realize they have to focus and not look too far ahead. There's a long ways to go.''

The goal is the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The first stop on the journey was the local District 13 championship.

Lompoc is hosting the Section I playoffs. The nearly three-hour drive up the coast through several construction zones should prepare the team for any adversity on the playing field.

``It's a lot of mileage, but it's worth it,'' said Nancy Cipriano, whose son, Cody, is one of the team's top players. ``The fields are nice, the people are nice.''

Many of the players, as well as their families, have learned how to travel to regional tournaments. Some spend the night after games, others drive back and forth.

Winning usually means they have a choice because winner's bracket games follow loser's bracket games.

Several Thousand Oaks players and their families savored Saturday's win over Woodland Hills while spending the night at a Lompoc inn.

Jake Brin was one of those players. Jake said he likes staying overnight on the road. ``It's pretty cool. We get to run around and swim in the pool and play video games.''

``I think it's tougher on the parents,'' Cipriano said. ``We've traveled to Iowa. We've traveled to Kansas. We're used to traveling.''

Winning means traveling, and the Thousand Oaks players and their families hope to do plenty of both during the next several weeks.

Should Thousand Oaks win the Section I playoffs, the team goes to the Southern California Sectional Tournament this weekend in La Puente. The winner there advances to the Western Final in San Bernardino and bids for the right to play in Williamsport.

The 11- to 12-year-old team is attempting to match the past success of 13- and 15-year-old teams that have won or played in the world series for their age division.

``We try not to put any pressure on them,'' Kitchen said. ``We will put the pressure on them in practice, but in the games they're supposed to enjoy it. If they're not, they won't do well.''

Cipriano noted that coaches have the support of their players' parents.

``They know they're all talented and they just have to tell them they have to go out there and play their best,'' she said. ``Our coaches are very good with that.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo: (1--color in CONEJO edition only) Playing on the road is noth ing new to the 11- and 12-year-old all-stars from Thousand Oaks.

(2) ``What keeps us going is everyone playing well together,'' says pitcher and infielder Jake Brin.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News