CONEJO COMES UP SHORT STRONG PITCHING GIVES CURACAO ITS FIRST TITLE CURACAO 5, CONEJO VALLEY 2.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - After a baseball summer filled with dramatic victories and dominating pitching performances, the Conejo Valley kids learned what it's like on the other side.

The 11- and 12-year-olds from Thousand Oaks were defeated by Caribbean champion Curacao 5-2 in the Little League World Series championship game in front of a crowd of 34,550 on a muggy Sunday night at Lamade Stadium.

``I don't like to lose, especially a game like this. But Curacao was a good team and we just didn't play our best game,'' catcher John Lister said. ``I really would have liked finishing first in the world. It hurts.''

The defeat was Conejo Valley's only loss after winning 22 in a row since opening June 29, including a hard-fought 4-0 victory against Texas in the U.S. title game one night earlier.

Many agreed the victory over Texas took its toll, and weary Conejo Valley (22-1) simply didn't have enough energy left to pull off one final triumph.

``I think we were probably tired, especially the first couple of innings,'' first baseman Danny Leon said. ``I would say we kind of played our best, and I'll remember all the fun I had staying with teammates at the regionals in San Bernardino and here in Williamsport. We're the second best team in the world, and that's great.''

Conejo Valley had its chance. Pinch-hitter Adam Justiniano's two-run home run with one out in the sixth and final inning cut the gap to three runs, and the team then put two runners on base and had the tying run at the plate.

But James Brady's hard grounder was scooped by Curacao first baseman Christopher Garia, who beat Brady to the bag by one step to end the game -and the season.

``It was a great ride. The kids put on a good show at all levels,'' league president Joe Gibson said. ``They went out and battled back. You always want one more hit, one more inning, one more out. I think these kids showed character and represented their team and the community very well.''

Jurickson Propar's two-run home run in the first inning gave Curacao (14-0) an early three-run in the bottom of the first inning.

``I think that kind of shocked us,'' Leon said.

Conejo Valley had difficulty handling Curacao's starting pitcher, Carlos Pineda, a hard-throwing 5-11, 169-pounder who struck out nine of the first 12 he faced and finished with 11 strikeouts and two hits allowed in 5 1/3 innings.

After giving up the home run to Justiniano - who entered with a .105 average and just one RBI in 19 at-bats - Pineda was relieved by Jonathan Schoop, who earned the save.

``When I got in, I put my faith in God to close the game,'' Schoop said. ``I think we're going to get a lot of attention at the airport and at school when we return.''

Right fielder Cody Thomson provided a defensive highlight when he reached over the wall to rob Schoop of a home run.

Through 58 years, Conejo Valley is just the sixth team from the San Fernando Valley area to qualify for the Little League World Series. Granada Hills, which won the title in 1963, and Northridge, which finished second in 1994, are the only others to reach the championship game. Northridge also qualified in 1967 and 1975, and Moorpark qualified in 1996.

Conejo Valley right-hander Jordan Brower (4-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) in 2 1/3 innings. Sean McIntyre pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, yielding one hit with four strikeouts. McIntyre also doubled, singled and scored a run.

More than 100 family members and friends spent the better part of 11 days supporting Conejo Valley in Williamsport. Most didn't have any regrets.

``It was a great run. This the is greatest experience they'll have in their entire life,'' said Jeff Francis, father of outfielder Derrick Francis. ``There's nothing to be ashamed of. The greatest thing about this team is they never quit.''

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) OH NO, CONEJO

The Little Leaguers from Thousand Oaks suffer their first loss in 23 games this season, losing 5-2 to Curacao in the World Series championship game

(2) Curacao teammates celebrate after winning the Little League World Series championship game 5-2 over Conejo Valley.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

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LLWS CHAMPIONS