Softball: Oliveto returns to form after long absence

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Simi Valley fans in attendance during Tuesday’s Southern Section-Toyota Division I second-round game had to be pleased with the outcome, a 1-0 victory over Trabuco Hills. Moreover, the Pioneer faithful had to be pleased with the return of Amanda Oliveto.

The sophomore was back in the pitcher’s circle for the first time in nearly a month and appeared fully recovered from a troublesome ankle injury. Oliveto retired 12 of the 14 batters she faced, with no walks and four strikeouts in four innings of relief.

‘It’s nice having Amanda back in the fold,’’ Simi Valley Coach Russ Michael said. ‘She did well out there. She did what we hoped she would, and that’s battle. She did her job. With her back in the lineup, we have another option, another weapon.’’

Another weapon, indeed.

Oliveto’s return bolsters an already solid pitching staff, which includes Kelli-Jo Killingsworth and Sophia Perez. That said, it looks as if the top-seeded Pioneers (28-0), and their backers, are poised for their next opponent, Esperanza in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

-- Sean Ceglinsky