Simi Valley Survives Scare by Newbury Park

Looks like all the marbles in the Marmonte League will go to the Simi Valley High baseball team after all.

Despite forceful tugs by Newbury Park for a share of first place, the host Pioneers escaped with a 5-4 victory Friday to maintain a two-game lead over the Panthers and clinch at least a tie for the league championship with two games to play.

Simi Valley (22-2, 12-0 in league play), ranked second nationally by USA Today, came from behind twice--the second on Kevin Nykoluk’s fifth-inning, three-run home run--then short-circuited a seventh-inning rally by Newbury Park (15-8, 10-2).

“This shows we can win a close one,” senior right-hander Trevor Leppard said.

Leppard (7-1) had to hang on in the seventh, striking out Dan Kadosono looking with runners at first and second to end the drama and the game. Leppard struck out six and walked five.

The loss was Newbury Park’s first since a 13-1 loss to Simi Valley on March 16. The Panthers had won 10 in a row and they did not go down easily.

Trailing, 5-3, Newbury Park began the seventh with sharp singles by David Lamb and Jeff Bennett. Tim Farris then lined a rope into the glove of center fielder Jason Alcala.

After a walk to Rich Adams, Jason Tubb came within a few feet of a grand slam, driving Alcala to the fence. The sacrifice fly easily scored Lamb. However, Leppard slipped a curve past Kadosono, who checked his swing, then chucked his bat and helmet in frustration.

“We played a good game,” said Lamb, who was two for four, including a run-scoring double in the first inning. “They won it on one hit and we hit two right at the center fielder. They’re No. 2 in the nation and I think we showed we can play right there with them.”

Newbury Park managed seven hits, including doubles by Lamb, Tubb and Bennett. The Panthers had at least one baserunner in every inning, but left 10 stranded, eight in scoring position.

Newbury Park had two runners on base and failed to score in the second and sixth innings.

The Panthers snapped a 2-2 tie in the fifth on Farris’ infield single that drove in Lamb from third.

In the bottom of the inning, Nykoluk drove an offering from junior right-hander Keith Smith (6-3) over the left-field fence with Ryan Briggs and Britten Pond on base.

The home run was Nykoluk’s sixth of the season and fourth in the past two weeks.

“I never thought we were going to lose the game,” Nykoluk said. “I thought (Smith) was hitable.”

Simi Valley scored twice in the first inning on sacrifice flies by Nykoluk--who had four runs batted in--and Ryan Hankins to take a 2-1 lead. Newbury Park tied the score in the third on a run-scoring double by Bennett.