Royal Falls Behind Simi by Too Many Too Early, 7-4

For much of the high school baseball season, Simi Valley has been able to rely on the considerable talent of its pitching staff to win games.

At the same time, the Pioneers’ batting order has been nothing to overlook.

Royal was reminded of that Friday.

Simi Valley, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, touched Royal pitcher David Raper for 11 hits en route to a 7-4 Marmonte League win at Royal.

The victory continued the Pioneers’ hot streak at the plate. Simi Valley (6-0 in league and 17-3 overall) has scored 73 runs in its last six games, and has won 10 straight.

Coach Mike Scyphers isn’t celebrating just yet, however.

“If we’re on top when it’s all said and done, then we can party,” he said.

Simi Valley was on top from the beginning against Royal (3-4 in league and 7-11 overall). Von Herron and Mike Hankins singled to open the game, and Shaun Murphy followed with a two-run double. One out later, Corey Aurand slapped a single to left field to score Murphy, and the next two batters walked to load the bases.

Raper then settled down, striking out Tim Laker and inducing Duane Mulville to bounce out.

“We could have gone into the dumper after the first inning,” Royal Coach Mike McCurdy said. “I was proud of the way we came back. We battled them and we had an opportunity to score more runs than we did.”

Trailing 6-0 in the fourth, the Highlanders had their chance to close the gap. Junior Joe Summers led off the inning with his third home run of the season, and Royal scored twice more, sending nine men to the plate.

The rally died, however, when Royal shortstop Sean Sullivan grounded out with two outs and the bases loaded.

The Highlanders scored a run in the fifth, but once again left three men on base. Todd Sullivan, Simi Valley’s starting pitcher, gave way to Murphy after Raper’s run-scoring single with no outs, and the senior reliever retired 9 of the 10 batters he faced.

The save was Murphy’s sixth of the season, two short of the Southern Section record set by Noah Rosen of Crossroads in 1984.

“Shaun’s done a great job every time he’s come in,” Scyphers said. “He could be the No. 1 pitcher on anyone else’s team in our league.”

Simi Valley’s pitching was good enough to win, but Royal stranded nine runners, leaving Scyphers feeling grateful.

“If they’d had gotten some key hits it would have been a closer game,” Scyphers said. “It’s tough to sustain the emotional roller coaster. I feel fortunate.”

Scyphers has had that winning feeling before against Royal. In his eighth year, he has a record of 14-2 against Simi Valley’s cross-town rival.