SPORTS 2004: A 'GREAT RIDE' FOR LITTLE LEAGUERS CONEJO VALLEY TEAM'S MARCH TO CHAMPIONSHIP BRINGS PRIDE.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

The Conejo Valley Little League made big news this year.

The 11- and 12-year-olds from Thousand Oaks advanced to the world championship final in Williamsport, Pa., winning 22 in a row before falling 5-2 to Curacao on Aug. 29 before a standing-room-only crowd of 34,550 - plus millions of TV viewers.

Conejo Valley was hoping to become just the second Valley-area team to win a Little League baseball title in the sport's 58-year history. Granada Hills won the 1963 championship. Northridge Little League's 1994 team is the only other area representative to reach the final.

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

He led the Conejo Valley with 10 home runs during tournament victories in Thousand Oaks, Goleta, Long Beach and San Bernardino.

On the night before the world final, Conejo Valley defeated Texas, 4-0, to win the U.S. title.

``It was a great ride. The kids put on a good show at all levels,'' league President Joe Gibson said. ``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.''

Conejo Valley's other top players were Cody Thomson and Danny Leon.

The former, a 5-foot-9 pitcher whose fastball was clocked at 76 mph, was 11-0 with three saves and 91 strikeouts in 51 innings. He also hit six home runs. A fan favorite, he constantly signed autographs for female admirers during the World Series.

Danny, named the team's MVP, batted better than .500 and hit a 300-foot home run in the Western Regional final in San Bernardino that many believe was among the longest ever hit by a Little League player. He also was one of the team's top pitchers and a terrific shortstop before an arm injury midway through the summer forced him to switch to first base.

Right-hander Jordan Brower and left-hander Sean McIntyre also came through with critical victories throughout Conejo Valley's run, including the Williamsport tournament.

The team was managed by Tom Ginther, along with assistants Frank Leon and Rick Brower. Perhaps the key to Conejo Valley's success was defense. The team allowed a total of just one unearned run through its streak of 22 consecutive victories - a remarkable achievement at the Little League level.

Other players included Tim Ginther, Tyler Karp, James Brady, Hayden Cronenbold, Adam Justiniano, Derrick Francis and Evan Ocello.

After returning home, the boys were treated like royalty. A large-scale parade was organized in their honor, and they made several television appearances including a guest spot on the KTLA (Channel 5) morning show. Most plan eventually to play baseball at Thousand Oaks High.

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Photo:

Pitcher Cody Thomson, center, of Thousand Oaks, celebrates with teammates Hayden Cronenbold, left, and Evan Ocello after pitching a one-hitter against Richmond, Texas in the United States Championship game on Aug. 28 in South Williamsport, Pa.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press