Sharts Caps 6-Run Rally With Homer

Even some of the Simi Valley High fans lost hope and packed to leave as the Pioneers prepared for the bottom of the seventh inning in Friday’s Marmonte League game against Newbury Park. Panther pitcher Rob Teasdale had stifled Simi Valley on four hits through six innings and Newbury Park took a 5-0 lead into the final inning.

But the powerful Pioneers proved they are an act worth seeing to conclusion by scoring six times without making an out to pull out a 6-5 victory. Simi Valley’s runs came on three home runs, including a grand slam by Darren Aurand and a game-winning solo blast by Scott Sharts. Sharts, the Southern Section career home run leader with 32, has 15 homers this year, one shy of the section’s single-season record.

Sharts homered off right-hander Jeff Berman (6-6), who relieved Teasdale and also served up Aurand’s grand slam.

“This is one of those unbelievable games that you read about, but we experienced it,” Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers said. “That kid was pitching the game of his life out there, but people who watch us play better never give up watching.”

Scyphers called the win the second-best comeback in his 10 years as coach. In the first round of the 1981 playoffs, Simi Valley rallied from a 9-4 deficit to beat Mira Costa, 10-9, on a grand slam by Bobby Clark.

Sophomore designated-hitter Jeff Sommer started Simi Valley’s comeback Friday with a leadoff home run. His sixth homer of the season tied Sharts’ sophomore school record. Joe Gallegos singled and Andy Hodgins walked, prompting Newbury Park Coach Gary Fabricius to remove Teasdale in favor of Berman, who earlier lost to Simi Valley, 16-2.

Berman walked Darin Furlong to load the bases, bringing up Aurand, who made a spectacular catch in center field to end a bases-loaded Panther threat in the fourth. Aurand lined a shot over the fence in left to tie the score, 5-5.

Sharts, who was 0 for 3 against Teasdale, belted Berman’s 3-0 pitch over the left-field fence to win the game. The home run, which increased Simi Valley’s school record to 38 in 24 games, prompted a wild celebration near the Simi Valley dugout.

“Aurand barely made it around the bases before we tackled him and then we tackled Sharts, too,” Scyphers said.

Newbury Park (5-6, 13-12) jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first, two runs scoring on a two-run home run to left by Don Smith. Smith gave the Panthers a 5-0 lead in the fifth with another two-run homer off Sharts, who seemed on his way to his first loss in nine decisions this year.

Junior right-hander Rich Langford (6-2), who pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh, picked up the win for Simi Valley (19-5, 9-1), which remained one game ahead of Thousand Oaks, a 4-3 winner over Channel Islands on Friday.

The Pioneers, who have won two consecutive league titles, play Thousand Oaks at home Wednesday for first place.