Softball: Simi Valley’s streak to be challenged sooner -- and later

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Just how much will Simi Valley, No. 7 in The Times’ rankings, be able to add to its record?

The Pioneers won their first 22 games and set a Ventura County record for victories to begin a season. That streak will be challenged today/Thursday against the team that figures to have the greatest chance of ending it during the regular season, Thousand Oaks.

Simi Valley has already beaten No. 9 Thousand Oaks twice this season, 7-6 in the Righetti tournament, and 3-0 in the first round of Marmonte League action.

Simi Valley (22-0, 9-0) plays host to the Lancers (16-3, 8-1) at 3 p.m. First place is on the line. So is the record.

Unfortunately for Simi Valley, it has played only two opponents (a total of three games) that most would consider of equal caliber, Thousand Oaks and Madera (23-3-1), which this week moved into CalHiSports’ State top 20 at No. 20.

Simi Valley beat Madera, 1-0, at Righetti, the same day that it beat Thousand Oaks. Great wins, but the Pioneers’ strength of schedule still doesn’t compare with many of the premier Southland teams.

Simi Valley is 10 victories off the Southern Section record. It will need to win its remaining five games, then five playoff games, to match Ocean View’s 32-0 season from 1985.

If the Pioneers remain unbeaten after the Division I playoffs, no one will be questioning their accomplishments. Not with the likes of Corona Santiago, Norco, El Toro, Valencia, Camarillo and Hart in the same division.

-- Martin Henderson

-- www.svhs.simi.k12.ca.us