Sharts Leaves Florida With Home Run Record

Simi Valley High needed every one of its six home runs to subdue Colonial, 13-12, in a wild, controversial game Friday in the Colonial Baseball Classic at Colonial High, but the most memorable shot was Scott Sharts’ sixth-inning homer that ensconced him in the Southern Section record book.

Sharts belted his ninth home run of the season to give him 26 in his three-year career, breaking the Southern Section record he shared with Mike Arthurs of Templeton.

After a trip to their hotel and a change into their gray, road uniforms, the Pioneers returned a few hours later and mashed Boone (Fla.), 11-3, in a game that was halted after six innings because of an eight-run rule.

The game also ended the Pioneers’ stay in Florida, even though they qualified for today’s third-place game. Had Simi Valley played another game, it would have exceeded its allotted number of five nonleague games.

Terry Hill, a junior third baseman who homered in the first game of the day, hit his third home run of the tournament in the second game. He was 4 for 4 with three runs batted in to lead Simi Valley’s eight-hit attack.

Hill’s two-run shot to left field in the first inning put Simi Valley (11-4) in front early, but Boone tied the score with two runs in the third.

Simi Valley added a run in the bottom of the inning when Hill doubled to score Darin Furlong. Boone tied the score, 3-3, with an unearned run in the fifth, but Darren Aurand led off the bottom of the inning with his first career home run and Marcus Lockwood added a two-run double.

The Pioneers delivered the knockout blow with a five-run sixth.

Tim Laker (3-2), who worked two innings in relief of Mike Jenkins, earned the victory.

“I’m extremely satisfied,” Scyphers said. “Every single guy in this lineup has contributed in this tournament.”

In the first game Friday, Simi Valley ripped six Colonial pitchers for 13 hits, including Hill’s three-run homer, two-run shots by Sharts, Jesse Anguiano and Jeff Sommer and a solo blast by Furlong. Anguiano also added a solo home run.

Simi Valley entered the seventh leading, 13-10, but narrowly escaped with a win. Sharts, in relief of Laker, surrendered two runs--both unearned--and left runners on first and second.

The game ended as crazily as it was played when Sharts induced Brian Poppe to hit a check-swing roller up the first-base line. As Sharts scooped up the ball just inches within fair territory, Poppe tripped over the pitcher’s glove and fell as Sharts easily threw to first for the out.

But as explosive as the Pioneers were on the field, their coach was even more fiery on the sidelines. Scyphers was ejected in the third inning after arguing a called strike to Anguiano.

“This is the most blatant case of bad officiating--of being homered--that I have ever seen,” he said. “There were about four bad calls in the first three innings that went Colonial’s way. They had a different strike zone than we had.

“I wasn’t even arguing with the umpire who threw me out. I was talking to this guy and the base umpire comes over and throws me out.”

Throughout the game, Simi Valley and Colonial players exchanged defiant gestures and heated words. After the game, Colonial Coach George Kirchgassner appeared angered but declined to make an elaborate comment.

“I can’t even be diplomatic,” he said. “It was helter-skelter. We don’t want to say anything to hurt the athletic offices of Florida and California.”

Kirchgassner referred to a section from the National High School Federation rule book that specified that players, coaches and fans shall not use profanity or make remarks regarding opposing players and coaches during a game.

Simi Valley scored four runs in the first inning, including Hill’s deep home run to left field. As Hill trotted past the Colonial dugout on his way to first base, he flashed a grin at the Colonial players.

Colonial, which got home runs from Tyler Pennington, Dave Holbrook and Randy Wagner, scored six runs in the second inning. Simi Valley added single runs in the second and third to tie the score, 6-6.

Colonial (10-5) added two runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth before Simi Valley scored seven times in the bottom of the inning, including four homers, to forge a 13-10 lead.