Thousand Oaks Nearly Gets Tripped Up but Wins, 1-0

With a long weekend trip to Florida foremost on their minds, the Thousand Oaks High Lancers played exactly how Coach Gary Walin thought they would Tuesday in a key Marmonte League softball game at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park.

Fortunately for Walin, the Lancers managed a 1-0 victory over Simi Valley and remained undefeated in league play.

“I don’t think we were all there,” said Walin, referring to the overall looseness of his players.

“But I’ll take it. We’re out of here. It wasn’t the prettiest thing . . . but the bottom line is we won the game.”

Thousand Oaks (12-1, 7-0 in league play), which leaves Los Angeles at 7 this morning for a tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., relied on a run in the first inning but had to survive Simi Valley’s seventh-inning scare.

Sheridan Fowler of Thousand Oaks doubled to lead off the game and beat the throw to third after pitcher Chanel Roehner fielded Andi Keesling’s bunt.

Michelle Spencer followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Pioneers (6-6-1, 3-4) had runners at first and second with two out in the seventh when pinch-hitter Stephanie Lawrence grounded into a force at third.