High School Baseball : Sharts Ties Home Run Record, but Simi Valley Loses in Florida

Simi Valley High’s Scott Sharts tied a Southern Section record with his 25th career home run, but the Pioneers lost to Lake Brantley, Fla., 5-4, in eight innings on Monday in the first round of the Colonial Baseball Classic at Colonial High.

Sharts belted his eighth home run of the season off eventual-winner Greg Ebbert on the first pitch of the eighth inning to give Simi Valley a 4-3 lead. But Lake Brantley (12-4), which began the season ranked No. 7 in Florida, countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Ebbert walked to lead off the inning off junior right-hander Mike Jenkins, and Jim Morse, who hit two solo home runs, followed with a single. Designated-hitter Randy Green lined a single to right field that got by Andy Hodgins and allowed both runners to score. Morse beat the throw to the plate by just a few feet.

It was the second consecutive extra-inning loss for Simi Valley (7-4), which dropped a 6-4 decision in 10 innings to Marmonte League opponent Royal of Simi Valley on Friday. Simi Valley, which won the 16-team Colonial tournament as the first and only non-Florida entry in 1986, can finish no better than third this year. The Pioneers play Boone, Fla. on Wednesday.

“What this tournament means to us has to do with team camaraderie and momentum,” Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers said. “Whether momentum comes remains to be seen.”

Simi Valley tied the game, 3-3, with two out in the seventh inning when Lake Brantley second baseman David Czachowski allowed Darren Aurand’s ground ball to roll through his legs and Hodgins scored from third.

Simi Valley scored a single run in the third on doubles by Darin Furlong and Marcus Lockwood and another run in the fifth on a double by Jesse Anguiano and a single by Furlong.

In another first-round game, Saugus capitalized on four errors and senior Jeff Bodeau pitched a complete-game five-hitter with 11 strikeouts to defeat Columbus, Ga., 7-4.

Saugus (8-2), which recorded its eighth consecutive win, broke a 2-2 tie with five runs in the fourth inning. Columbus (4-2) committed two errors in the inning and pitchers Brian Davis and Nathan Barnes each hit a batter. Nine Saugus batters came to the plate.

Saugus scored its first run of the inning when Columbus shortstop Brad Schorr booted Darrell Davis’ high bouncer with none out and the bases loaded. Roger Salkeld, who reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Jeff Boatner, raced home on the play.

George Lopata followed with a bases loaded walk and Tom Dodson was hit by a pitch to force in another run. Jared Snyder capped the inning with a two-run single to center field.

Saugus plays Waltrip of Houston, Tex. on Wednesday.