LITTLE LEAGUE: NORTHRIDGE IS DREAMING BIG TEAM GOES FOR WORLD SERIES BERTH.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- Perhaps the Little League World Series isn't such a far-fetched dream. At least not for the 11- and 12-year-olds from Northridge Little League, which has won three tournaments to qualify for the Western Regionals at Al Houghton Stadium, beginning with a pool-play game against Utah at 3:30 p.m. today.

The Western Regionals is the last stop before the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., and Northridge (12-1) is hoping eventually to make history, as only one San Fernando Valley team -- Granada Hills in 1963 -- has ever won a LLWS title.

``It's just great to be here because this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance,'' first baseman Kirby Shaw said. ``These are the best Little League teams, and I think we can keep going if we play together as a team.''

Northridge, celebrating its 50th anniversary, has won the Western Regional three times in three appearances, the last in 1994 when Northridge eventually finished as a runner-up in the World Series. Northridge also advanced in 1967 and 1975.

Among the team's top players this year are Shaw, Bretton Bowman, Christian Lopez, Payton Milone and Cody Thompson.

Other participants in the six-team tournament are teams from Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and Fresno. The teams play four pool-play games over a six-day period, followed by the tournament semifinals on Thursday and the championship game Aug. 12 at 6 p.m., featuring live television coverage on ESPN2.

``It's exciting for the players and the coaches, too,'' manager Kevin Shaw said. ``It's like we've just arrived at Disneyland. I don't know who's out here, but if we play the same way we've been playing, I like our chances.''

Crescenta Valley remains alive: Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta's Little League 12-under softball team rallied from an early deficit to score 10 unanswered runs in a 10-2 victory over Butte, Mont., in the Western Regional Tournament in Vancouver, Wash.

Cece Martinez had three hits, including a triple and a double, scored twice and drove in two runs for C.V. (9-4), which split its four pool-play games. Raleigh NeJame picked up the victory and had two hits for C.V.

Audri Pardo had two doubles scored a pair of runs for C.V., which awaits the outcome of today's game between Gilroy and Panaca, Nev., to determine if it advances to Saturday's semifinals. C.V. lost to Gilroy 6-0, but defeated Panaca 9-5.

Erik Boal contributed

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Photo:

The Northridge team lines up in the outfield at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino before having its picture taken Thursday. Northridge opens Western Regionals play today.

Jennifer Cappuccio/Staff Photographer

Box:

WESTERN REGIONALS