Pioneers playing smart
SVHS softball team performing well on the field and in the classroom
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers STRONG DEFENSE- Pioneer first baseman Jenn De Fazio digs a ball off the dirt during Wednesday's practice session at SVHS.

According to Simi Valley High head softball coach Russ Michael, the Pioneers have an overall grade point average of 3.9. With a 7-1 record to start the season, it looks as if Simi Valley is making the grade on the field as well.

SVHS jumped out of the gates with a bang this year, scoring 26 runs against Hueneme in its opening game.

Since beating Hueneme, Simi's averaged only 4.4 runs per game, but the team's winning ways have continued. Michael is hoping the team can return to glory this year and win its first Marmonte League title since 2003.

"For confidence, our fast start has been very important," Michael said. "The early wins have given the team the feel that they can win league this year."

Michael said he takes great pride in knowing that his team does very well in the classroom and explained that a lot of that knowledge with the books has carried over onto the field.

"We have a very intelligent team," Michael said.

"They are all able to take a situation and see what should happen and then act on it. Whether it is running the bases or something while playing on the field, the girls all seem to be able to grasp what's going on."

Senior first baseman Jenn De Fazio agreed with her coach.

"I take a lot of pride in being a part of a team that is very smart," De Fazio said. "It shows that you can play sports and do well in academics at the same time. Playing softball is great, but school comes first."

The Pioneers have three senior captains- De Fazio, Megan Boon and Christina Smith- and they have a combined GPA of 4.1. Two of the girls, De Fazio and Boon, have already committed to colleges. De Fazio will be attending UC San Diego while Boon will be at Yale, where she will study to become a doctor as well as play softball.

The Pioneers' other two seniors, Smith and Kelsey Hernandez, haven't decided on a college yet.

Before the seniors leave, there's still a season to be played. Michael said for SVHS to win league, the pitching will have to improve. The Pioneers' staff is led by Kellijo Killingsworth and junior Kelly Eder. Backing them up is junior Chelsea Mitchell.

"I like Killingsworth's strength and endurance on the mound," Michael said. "She has good movement and her velocity has increased. Kelly Eder is a fastball pitcher, but also has a natural curveball and a good changeup.

"After those two we like to throw hitters off balance with Chelsea, who's strictly a 'junker' pitcher. By that I mean she throws a lot of junk pitches like a changeup, but she has great location."

Hitting has not been a problem for the Pioneers, and they've proved it by having seven players currently batting over .300.

At first base is De Fazio, who used to be a pitcher for SVHS before a basketball injury prevented her from throwing off the mound.

"It (pitching) was hard to give up because pitching was my life, but I picked up the position of first base really quick," De Fazio said. "I always thought I could hit when I was a pitcher, but the coach didn't let me. So I had to prove him wrong and show him that I could hit."

Other leading hitters for Simi Valley include sophomores Briana Stephan, Amber Olive and Jessica Soria.

"Jessica was recently named to the all-tournament team last weekend and has shown she can hit for power," Michael said. "She is also very good defensively in the outfield.

"Briana bats leadoff for us, and Amber bats second. I think they are two of the fastest players in the league, and I'm hoping they can steal a lot of bases. Although Briana has a lot of speed, she can also hit for power and hits the occasional leadoff home run."

Other Pioneers that have been contributing with the bat have been juniors Tawny Reeger, Allison Mapes and Samantha Fischer, who is currently batting .435.

Smith will play third base while Michael switches off between two catchers- Rebecca Grant and Haley Thomas. Michael said that both catchers provide great power at the plate.

For seniors like Boon, it's the last chance to win a league title.

"I definitely have wanted to win Marmonte all four years I've been here, but this year I really have a lot of confidence we can do it," Boon said. "We have a lot of camaraderie on this team, and early on we've shown the dedication it takes to win it."

Simi Valley begins league play on March 20 at home against Moorpark.