BIG LEAGUE: T.O. FINISHES POOL PLAY UNDEFEATED.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

With a berth in the Big League World Series semifinals already secured, Thousand Oaks decided to change things up for Thursday's finale of pool play. Thousand Oaks had a variety of players playing new positions, including Kellen Fink and Michael Ricatto both playing all nine positions, but what didn't change was the team's success.

Thousand Oaks defeated Florida 12-9 to finish pool play undefeated.

Thousand Oaks, looking to improve on last year's runner-up finish, faces Southwest representative Louisiana in today's semifinals of Little League's 18-and-under tournament in Easley, S.C.

Thousand Oaks, which scored 52 runs in its five pool play games, led 11-1 before shuffling its lineup and seeing Florida score five runs in the fifth against players who rarely pitch.

Cole Kahle had three of Thousand Oaks' 14 hits and added two RBIs.

Fink and Fick both had two-run doubles, and Cody Fierro contributed a two-run single. Stephen Notaro and Kyle Jones also drove in runs.

Fierro (2-0) made his first pitching appearance of the series and threw two scoreless innings for the win. Garrett Rau earned the save with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Mitch Rudebusch (5-0) is scheduled to start tonight against a Louisiana lineup that went 3-1 in pool play. Defending champion South Carolina and Puerto Rico play in the other semifinal.