Griffin Wins Despite Flaw in Delivery : High school softball: With arm grazing her side on each pitch, senior leads Simi Valley past Newbury Park.

Simi Valley High’s Sara Griffin possesses enough talent that even on an off day she still dominates.

Such was the case in the Pioneers’ 2-0 victory over Newbury Park in a Marmonte League softball opener Tuesday at Borchard Park.

Griffin, the 1993 state player of the year, threw at about 80% of her potential because of a mechanical problem with her delivery, but still tossed a one-hitter.

“First of all, I’m not in a good mood because of my arm,” said Griffin, who had a bag of ice wrapped around her arm after the game. “The speed wasn’t there. I’m not gonna try to throw at full speed and hit my side. No way.”

Upon delivery, Griffin’s lower arm constantly grazed her right hip just before her release. As a result Griffin was unable to produce maximum rotation and her pitches simply lacked their normal zip.

But despite her pitching problems, Newbury Park (3-1) did little to take advantage. Only three Panthers reached base and Brandi Funk provided Newbury Park’s only hit.

Funk looped a single into right-center field to lead off the fourth. Melissa Thornhill slapped a ground ball to the left side and third baseman Lisa DeStefano bobbled the dribbler. A double steal put Funk and Thornhill in scoring position with none out.

But Griffin (5-0), who struck out eight, retired the next three batters to end the Panthers’ only threat.

Simi Valley (7-0), the top-ranked team in the state, managed five hits off Carolina Bernal (2-1). Three hits never left the infield.

“They know at this level they don’t ever let up,” Simi Valley Coach Suzanne Manlet said. “We run sprints every day and two or three times it paid off for us.”

Debbie Hatfield led off the third with a line-drove single to right field. Hatfield advanced to second on DeStefano’s bunt and to third on a ground out.

With two out, Jenny Conmay beat out a slow ground ball to the right side and Hatfield scored the only run the Pioneers would need.

Simi Valley added another run in the fourth when Nicole Newhart scored on a throwing error.

As for Griffin’s arm problems, which began to develop in the Simi Valley tournament over the weekend, no one seems overly concerned. “She threw a one-hitter,” Manlet said. “I have to be happy with that.”