Fischer's big bat powers Pioneers
Senior shortstop climbing the state's all-time home run list
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers GOING DEEP- Entering Thursday's game against Royal High, Simi Valley senior Sam Fischer led the Marmonte League with eight home runs and an off-the-charts slugging percentage of 1.09.

Sam Fischer couldn't have dreamed up a better script for her senior year at Simi Valley High.

In November, the 17-year-old Pioneer shortstop began taking lessons with Camarillo softball legend and current Olympian Jessica Mendoza. Under Mendoza's tutelage, Fischer has flourished.

Entering Thursday afternoon's game against Royal, Fischer was batting .473 with eight home runs and 25 RBI.

Oh yeah, her Pioneers were also undefeated through their first 18 games.

"Honestly, I still can't believe the year I'm having and the year this team is having," Fischer said.

Simi Valley head coach Russ Michael said he's not surprised with Fischer's stellar play.

"The only thing I'm surprised about is that she's putting up big numbers even though every other team has known about her for two years," Michael said.

Sam Fischer

"As a senior, she's more confident now. She's also doing a better job of going with the pitch instead of trying to pull the ball," the coach said.

Fischer attributes her hitting success, especially her ability to hit to the opposite field, to Mendoza.

"One of the main things I've worked with (Mendoza) on is going the other way," Fischer said. "She's told me to stay within myself and not do too much with a pitch. Basically, everything she's told me has been amazing advice."

Mendoza has only been able to work out with Fischer about five times, but the Olympian can tell that Fischer is taking her advice to heart.

"I'm on the road a lot, so I'm not able to see her as much as I'd like to," Mendoza said. "I can tell, however, that what we worked on in one session, she's been working on the entire month or so I was away.

"She's got a rare combination of talent and dedication. I see a lot of myself in her just because she likes to hit changeups and not just fastballs," Mendoza said.

While at Simi Valley, Fischer's always hit well. After playing on the junior varsity team as a freshman, Fischer batted .420 as a sophomore in her first season on the varsity club. Last year Fischer hit .419.

Although Fischer is once again proving to be a tough out, it's her home run totals that are mind-boggling. With eight games remaining, Fischer has 18 career round-trippers.

The total is just four longballs shy of tying Julie Smith with 22 career home runs, which ranks 14th in California high school history, according to CalHiSports.com.

Smith played for Covina Royal Oak and Covina Charter Oak. The SVHS career record is unknown, according to athletic director Matt La Belle and Michael.

"I'm kind of a stat freak, so I'd love to know what the Simi record is and then break it," Fischer said.

"Despite all the home runs, I don't view myself as just a home run hitter. I try to make good contact, and hopefully something good happens."

Something good happened for Fischer as a sophomore when a Loyola Marymount University scout attended one of her games by accident.

"The scout was actually lost and looking for another team," Fischer said with a laugh.

"He ended up watching some of my game, and I believe I had two hits, including a home run. The scout was looking for a shortstop with power, and I guess I provided him with that."

In November of 2006, Fischer decided she would attend Loyola Marymount after her senior year.

In the meantime, she's hoping the Pioneers can keep up their winning ways.

"The reason why we're doing so well, besides our great pitching and excellent hitting, is we are so close as friends," Fischer said.

"These girls are so awesome. They deserve all the success we've had."

One of Fischer's best friends on the Pioneers is junior outfielder Jessica Soria.

"She's going to be the person I miss the most when I leave," Fischer said. "We're such good friends, and she always picks me up when I'm down. She doesn't even have to say anything; she'll just give me a look, and I'll understand."

Fischer also gives a lot of credit to her dad for her success on the softball field.

"I started playing catch with him when I was 5, and I haven't been able to put a ball down since then," Fischer said. "I loved it so much, even when I was really young and wasn't that good."

Her dad's allegiance to his favorite professional baseball team has put Sam in an unusual situation- she's now a Red Sox and Yankees fan.

"My dad really, really likes the Yankees, but all of my friends really like the Red Sox," she said. "I decided to root for both of them because I didn't want to upset anyone."