R.I. nine battles hard but bows to potent California squad

07:58 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

Journal photo / Kris Craig Lincoln coach Charlie Hien, center, consoles his players after yesterday's 3-1 loss to Thousand Oaks, Calif., perhaps the most talented team in the tourney.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- When almost every Little League season ends, tears flow.

Some are shed on the baseball diamonds across Rhode Island. Others may fall in regional all-star tournaments.

But one place where it's understood, but not really appropriate, is in this north-central Pennsylvania town where the very best Little League teams in the country gather each summer. Losing here may be heart-wrenching. After all, World Series dreams die hard. But when your Little League career comes to a halt, this should be every players' choice of destination.

"The guys were crying in the dugout, but I just told everyone that

we're all winners. We're one of the top seven teams in the United States," Lincoln Little Leaguer Steve Ricci said yesterday after his team's 3-1 loss to Thousand Oaks, Calif., ended his team's run through the national tournament. "The only thing better than this would be winning the World Series, but only one team can do that."

The Rhode Island and New England champions suffered their second loss in about 15 hours yesterday at Volunteer Stadium. The 5-4 defeat to Morganton, N.C., on Monday night stung the most. Lincoln entered yesterday's game against a powerhouse California team knowing it not only had to win, it had to win by six or more runs in order to advance to the national semifinals later this week.

It proved to be an in conquerable challenge. A first-inning run off California starting pitcher Jordan Brower certainly stoked the hopes of the parents, family members and friends in the stands, but Lincoln's offense was held in check the rest of the way. Ace pitcher Chris Costantino came through for Lincoln, holding a Thousand Oaks team that had outscored its first two opponents, 19-2, to just three runs on four hits.

"We've been away for three weeks and we've played a lot of games. We ran out of gas, I think," said coach Steve Rhault. "I don't want to make excuses but it's difficult being on the road for three weeks when you're 12 years old."

After beating Davenport, Iowa, 3-2, in its Series opener, Lincoln knew it faced a giant step up in competition against both Morganton and Thousand Oaks. Three errors and some shaky pitching from No. 2 starter Alex Kay (5 runs, 10 hits in 4 innings) cost Lincoln a chance to knock off the North Carolina team. When the youngsters think about their long journey here, that'll be the game that stings most.

"My arm actually hurt before the game," said Kay. "It was fine during the game but we had our chances. I think we showed we could play with anybody."

The team's most impressive outing may have come yesterday. Thousand Oaks (3-0) is rated one of the favorites to win the U.S. title, along with Richmond, Texas. If California wins the World Series finale on Sunday, no one would be shocked.

"They're the team to beat up here, as far as I'm concerned," said Rhault. "They have a deep pitching staff and hit the ball hard. I hope they go a long way."

After grabbing the quick 1-0 lead on a double by Damon Divozzi and an RBI single to right by Costantino, Lincoln's bats went cold. California's Brower used a curveball the majority of the time and allowed only one hit over the next four innings. Cody Thompson, the staff's ace, came in and shut the door in the sixth.

Costantino wasn't the dominating pitcher he was in a 15-strikeout win over Iowa, but he was very good. California tied the score at 1-1 when Tyler Karp walked and moved to third on two wild pitches. James Brady then chopped an infield hit to score Karp.

Journal photo / Kris Craig Lincoln ace Chris Costantino did his part yesterday, holding powerful Thousand Oaks to just four hits and one earned run while striking out nine.

California added unearned runs in the third and fifth inning. With two outs in the third, Sean McIntyre singled to center and moved to second when the ball got by Divozzi for an error. He moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a Brower single. Another single and a two-base error in the sixth put Danny Leon on third with two outs. Another passed ball allowed Leon to race home with his team's third run.

Costantino struck out nine batters, giving him 24 K's in 11 innings.

Costantino admitted he was tired after throwing 169 pitches in four days and that likely led to his control problems. But with his dominant speed and a booming bat (.556 average, 3 RBI), he shined more than any other Lincoln player.

Lincoln manager Randy Hien has coached Little League for more than 25 years and has a two-year-old son, Randy Jr., on deck. He says one of the most impressive things about his team is how quickly they put losses into perspective.

"Every year, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the kids get over it," he said. "All week here I've asked the kids every day, 'Are you having fun? A little fun or a lot of fun?' They've been here with smiles on their faces and they walk by me and just say, 'A lot of fun.' I don't even have to ask anymore."