Simi Valley Bows Out of 4-A Playoffs, 13-4

Mike Scyphers, Simi Valley High coach, wasn’t overly disappointed by his team’s 13-4 loss to El Dorado on Tuesday.

Scyphers, who has eight of 10 starters returning from this season’s lineup, was quick to find the positive after his team was eliminated from the Southern Section 4-A playoffs at El Dorado.

“We exceeded by far any expectations we had for the season,” said Scyphers, whose team won the Marmonte League with only catcher Tim Laker and pitcher-first baseman Scott Sharts returning from the previous season.

It’s also easier to handle defeat when it’s obvious that the better team won, Scyphers said. And Tuesday there was no question about talent.

“I think they are a championship-caliber team,” Scyphers said. “That’s one thing about losing to a club of this caliber. It’s a little easier to swallow losing to a better team.”

El Dorado advances to Friday’s quarterfinal round, meeting Crespi, a 5-3 winner over Mater Dei on Tuesday.

Simi Valley (20-7) jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, before some wild pitching, poor fielding and timely El Dorado hitting led to a rout for the Golden Hawks (22-4), seeded second in the 4-A playoffs.

With two outs in the first, El Dorado left fielder Ed Keller started back on a looping line drive by Laker and allowed it to fall for a bloop double.

Sharts drove in Laker with a single to right field and shortstop Greg Gerber followed with a line-drive home run to center.

But the lead--and momentum--wouldn’t last long for Simi Valley.

El Dorado’s Steve Gill, who later came on to earn the victory in relief, opened the first with a bunt single off Sharts (9-4). Chris Olsen followed with a ground single through the hole at short.

After a popup, fielder’s choice and walk loaded the bases with two outs, Doug Yates drilled a Sharts fastball over the right-field fence.

“We got fired up a little when we got a 3-0 lead with two outs,” Scyphers said. “It looked like we were going to get out of the inning unscathed. But Sharts got the pitch up and Yates drove it.”

Sharts was 3 for 4 with an RBI and left fielder Darin Furlong was 3 for 3 with an RBI.

Yates was 3 for 4 with five runs batted in.