BIG LEAGUE: THOUSAND OAKS BACK IN FINAL.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

The veterans on the Thousand Oaks Big League team had tried to convey to Mitch Rudebusch the experience of playing for a World Series championship. On Friday, Rudebusch ensured he would get a chance to find out for himself.

Rudebusch pitched a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts in Thousand Oaks' 8-0 victory over Southwest representative Louisiana in the semifinals of Little League's 18-and-under tournament in Easley, S.C., securing Thousand Oaks' second consecutive berth in the final. Thousand Oaks, which lost to South Carolina in last year's championship game, plays for the title tonight.

``This has got to be the top of the line as far as anything I've done,'' said Rudebusch, who thrived with an effective curveball. ``I got in a nice groove and threw the game of my life.

``I wasn't here last year, but the guys who were have been telling me what it's like to get to that game, the final. It's exciting.''

The win extends Thousand Oaks' winning streak to 13 games.

The Thousand Oaks offense that has scored at least six runs in each of its six games during the World Series gave Rudebusch (6-0) plenty of support early. Thousand Oaks led 5-0 by the second inning.

``We got the runs early and took the pressure off Mitch, and he just dominated,'' Thousand Oaks coach Matt Ricatto said. ``He was unbelievable.''

Kyle Jones capped the scoring with a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

Stephen Notaro had a game-high three RBIs, including one in the three-run first inning. Kellen Fink was 2 for 4 and scored three runs. Cole Kahle and Garrett Rau also had RBIs.

``Kellen started the game with a base hit and from there it kept on rolling,'' Jones said. ``They way we've been playing, I'm confident about (today).''

Max Gutierrez, who threw a one-hit shutout Monday, is scheduled to start for Thousand Oaks in the final.