Simi Valley Runs Over Camarillo

Simi Valley High baseball coach Mike Scyphers said he had a preconceived notion about Wednesday’s Marmonte League game at Camarillo.

Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with the anticipated pitching duel between Scott Radinsky and Camarillo’s Travis Willis.

“My feeling going in was that we were going to try to run on them,” Scyphers said. “When you can be aggressive and take advantage of the other teams weaknesses and be successful at it, you make the defense that much more aware.”

Simi Valley, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, ran enough to make everyone take notice in a 6-1 victory. The Pioneers stole six bases on the way to recording their 11th consecutive victory.

The victory improved Simi’s record to 18-3 overall, 7-0 in league. Camarillo is 13-7, 6-3 in league.

Sophomore Corey Aurand led the Simi sprint attack with two steals to bring his season total to 22, one shy of the season school record.

After being run over by Simi, Camarillo Coach Ken Wagner said the Pioneers’ work on the bases took away from what was billed as a matchup of two of the Valley area’s top hurlers.

“We let Travis down because we didn’t get them out on the running plays,” Camarillo Coach Ken Wagner said. “Teams are going to run until you throw them out. They took advantage when they had the opportunities. That’s the mark of a good team.”

There was another reason the pitching duel never quite came off.

Pioneer pitching ace Scott Radinsky, who said he felt a little nervous, walked eight batters.

“I’m not happy with the way I pitched,” Radinsky said. “I didn’t have a good day. I threw a lot of balls. I couldn’t throw strikes so I let up. The last two games I just haven’t been with it.”

Even on an off day, Radinsky set records. The senior left-hander, who had 114 strikeouts coming into the game, struck out six to break the Pioneers’ season record. Pioneer pitching coach Rob Sullivan recorded 115 in 1980.

Willis, who had a no-hitter through four innings, struck out 10 Pioneers, allowed seven hits, and walked one.

Pitching, however, did not turn out to be the Scorpions’ downfall, Wagner said.

“We didn’t come through and get the hits when we needed to,” Wagner said. “In a game like this you can’t make any mistakes.”

After Simi struck for five runs in the top of the sixth inning, the Scorpions got one back on Kevin Ochs’ single. But Radinsky retired the next two batters as Camarillo stranded three runners.

Radinsky may have struggled at times, but the Simi Valley defense was unwavering. The Pioneers played errorless ball and turned two double plays.

Offensively, Scott Sharts led the way. The sophomore first baseman kept the sixth-inning rally alive with a two-run homer, his fourth of the season.

“It was a slider,” Sharts said. “It came right in waist high, and I just went with it.”

Similarly, Scyphers is going with the flow.

“We lost a couple early, but that woke us up a little bit,” Scyphers said. “I like the way we’re doing it this year.”

SIMI VALLEY--Radinsky, and Laker.

CAMARILLO--Willis and Billups.

WP--Radinsky (9-1); LP--Willis (8-2).