ROUNDUP : Hankins’ Homer Helps Scyphers Notch 250th Win

As a freshman, there is little doubt that Ryan Hankins leads a rookie’s life.

Unlike the rest of Simi Valley High’s players, Hankins doesn’t have his name on the back of his jersey. In fact, Hankins borrows Coach Mike Scyphers’ jersey for road games.

And Scyphers jumped on the 14-year-old after he swung at a high pitch in the first inning and hit a soft fly ball to right field that ended a Simi Valley rally.

But Hankins eventually did some spanking of his own in the third inning. He hit a two-run home run that capped a four-run rally and Simi Valley went on to post an 8-3 win over Westlake on Wednesday in a Marmonte League game at Westlake. The win improved Simi Valley’s record to 16-2 overall, 7-0 in league play.

“If he keeps swinging that way, we’ll consider keeping him up here another day,” Scyphers said with a laugh.

Hankins highlighted an impressive day for Pioneers who wore No. 2 jerseys. Hankins, who attends Sequoia Junior High, hit his first varsity home run; Scyphers, in his 13th season, earned his 250th victory.

Brian Vasey allowed four hits and threw only 78 pitches to improve his record to 7-0 overall, 5-0 in league play. Aaron Fischer was three for four with two stolen bases and three runs batted in. Rob Neal hit a two-run home run for Westlake (8-9, 3-4), which had a three-game winning streak snapped.