HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEWS : MARMONTE LEAGUE : Simi Valley Talent Runs Deep : Pioneers Once Again Have Components for a Championship Team

Somewhere along the way, perhaps between pitcher Steve Sharts of the early ‘80s and pitcher-first baseman Scott Sharts of the late ‘80s, Simi Valley High scooped up some tradition to go along with its talent.

It wasn’t really planned, tradition usually isn’t, it just happened.

Steve went on to Cal State Northridge and is presently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Scott, a power hitter and power pitcher, is highly recruited and soon will face the decision whether to play professionally or at the collegiate level. And there have been many others through the years.

The Pioneers, as they have done four times since 1980, are again the favorites to win the Marmonte league title. In the same span, they placed second twice and fourth once.

Why Simi Valley?

Coach Mike Scyphers, who has 175 wins entering his 10th season, started with a one-word explanation.

“Tradition,” he said. “When we take the field, we believe we’re going to win.”

When Scyphers took over the program in 1979, Simi Valley had managed winning seasons but had never won a playoff game. Under Scyphers, the Pioneers have yet to lose a first-round game in the seven years they have qualified for the playoffs.

Simi Valley is again overflowing with ability. Sharts was the Marmonte player of the year and an All-Southern Section selection last season. The 6-foot, 6-inch, 220-pound senior hit 11 home runs last season, already has 5 this season and is 3 away from the Southern Section career record of 25. Shortstop Greg Gerber set a school record in 1987 with a .489 batting average, and Marcus Lockwood was not far behind Gerber and Sharts in offensive productivity.

The talent doesn’t stop there.

“I don’t think we’re a one-man show,” Scyphers said. “I think we have a pretty good nucleus around Scott where no one can pitch around him. If they do, they get hurt.”

Simi Valley

COACH: Mike Scyphers, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 1st in league at 9-3; 20-7 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Scott Sharts batted .469 last season, with 11 home runs, 9 doubles and 33 runs batted in. Senior Greg Gerber batted a Simi Valley-record .489 and had 9 doubles and 28 RBIs. Gerber had 9 consecutive hits at one point last season, another Pioneer record. Senior Marcus Lockwood batted .305 and had 2 triples and 19 RBIs. Senior Darren Aurand, a guard on the Pioneers’ championship basketball team, batted .324 and stole 11 bases. Senior Darin Furlong batted .328. Sharts, (6-6, 220) was 9-4 last season with 7 complete games and a 3.58 earned-run average. All three of Simi Valley’s top pitchers are back, with the return of Rich Langford and Mike Laker, both right-handers. Langford was 3-1 with a 4.74 ERA and Laker was 2-1 with an ERA of 4.24. Laker’s 4 saves led the league.

OUTLOOK: A league championship would be Simi Valley’s fifth since 1980 and the coaches’ consensus is that the drive for five will yield another title.

Westlake

COACH: Dennis Judd, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 2nd in league at 8-3-1;

14-11-1 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Memories of last year’s league championship that slipped away in the season’s final game--a 2-1 loss to last-place Camarillo--appear to have heightened the Warriors’ expectations for 1988. Back is league pitcher of the year John Chiaramonte, who as a junior posted a 7-2 record and 2.35 ERA. The right-hander had 73 strikeouts in 74 innings. Bob Grandpre, a right-handed pitcher and right fielder will be used primarily as a starter. Back is Mike Suarez, a senior shortstop who last season batted .429. Third baseman John Stephens and second baseman Mike Lieberthal, both .290 hitters, return for the Warriors, as does center fielder Mike Campbell. Campbell’s 14 stolen bases last season set a Westlake record. Juniors Craig Cooper, in left field, and Derek Tamburro, at catcher, are also expected to provide hitting punch.

OUTLOOK: The loss to Camarillo still pains Judd, but a fresh start has brought visions of the school’s first league title for the Warriors. “I believe that we have the potential to do it again this year,” he said.

Newbury Park

COACH: Gary Fabricius, 2nd year

LAST SEASON: 6th place at 4-7-1; 10-15-1 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Panthers perhaps have the deepest pitching staff in the league. Right-hander Jeff Berman, who had all four of Newbury Park’s league wins last season, was an all-league selection. Right-hander Rob Teasdale was 2-4, but his ERA (2.43) was more than two runs better than Berman’s in nearly the same number of innings. Dan Contreras is the only left-hander on the staff. Those three seniors are joined by junior right-handers Jeremy Dewey, Tim Beal and Jeff O’Brien, who are up from the junior varsity team that lost one league game last season. Don and Dan Smith and David Angulo are returning starters at center field, shortstop and second base, respectively. Senior catcher James Alvarez is a returning part-time starter, as is left fielder Bryan Pearson. Also expected to contribute as starters are juniors Dan Madsen at catcher, Wayne Cook at first base and Geoff Black in right field. Seniors Chris Fick and Adam Goldstein are competing for time at third base and Darrin Jelly is a designated-hitter and outfielder.

OUTLOOK: “We’ll be very disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs,” Fabricius said. “And I think, deep down, our kids think we can win it.”

Thousand Oaks

COACH: Jim Hansen, 14th year

LAST SEASON: 4th in league at 5-7; 8-14 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Lancers might have the pitching to make a run at the playoffs. Senior right-hander Dan Chergey was a disappointing 1-5 last season, but had a respectable 3.55 ERA and completed three games. Chergey’s one win was a late-season shutout over Simi Valley, the league champion. Junior Anthony Gonzalez is a right-handed starter, and two left-handers--junior John Bushart and sophomore Scott Barkman--give Hansen versatility. Jason Sanders will be used primarily in relief. Shortstop Steve Sisco and second baseman-catcher Mark Skeels are the only returning full-time starters. Sisco batted .256 and stole 11 bases. Skeels batted .346. Hansen can play Blake Evans at third base, shortstop, outfield or pitcher. Evans batted .240 and had 6 doubles last season. Senior designated-hitter Dave DeSoto hit .400 in limited playing time. He’ll also see time in the outfield. Bob Farber and Mike Yanuzzi are also starting outfielders. Senior Russell Kellogg is a vocal leader as well as the starting catcher. Underclassmen expected to contribute include junior first baseman Scott Haffner and sophomore outfielder Lance Martin.

OUTLOOK: The Lancers have depth throughout their lineup and should be strong defensively, but need to hit. Last season they lost nine games by three runs or fewer. “We have probably the most unproven team,” Hansen said.

Royal

COACH: Mike McCurdy, 3rd year

LAST SEASON: 4th place at 5-7; 11-10-1 overall

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Highlanders have only two returning starters, but they play the positions you’d most want coming back. Sean Sullivan, a shortstop and pitcher, is a four-year starter who batted .389 and was 2-0 on the mound with 2 saves and a 1.40 ERA. Catcher Travis Kinyoun, a three-year starter, batted .320. “If Travis has an outstanding year, he has the ability to be drafted,” McCurdy said. “He’s got a strong arm and he’s fast. His legs haven’t turned to cement yet.” McCurdy said Sullivan, who has taken a recruiting trip to Princeton, is a Division I player with a 4.0 grade-point average. Royal boasts eight others with varsity experience. Senior John Ward will play first base, fill in as the No. 2 pitcher and bat cleanup. Junior Sean Swearinger plays second base, senior Eric Spellman is a pitcher and right fielder, and senior Brian Skow will also pitch. David Bernstein, who batted .450 as the Highlanders’ best pinch-hitter last season, may play every day at third or first. Brothers Jason and James Jones will be side by side in center and left fields, respectively, and bat first and second, respectively.

OUTLOOK: McCurdy said he’d like to ease the pressure on his inexperienced team by playing aggressively. “I think we can compete for a playoff spot.”