Superstitious Simi prepping for a perfect finish
Undefeated Pioneers earn top seed and a bye in Division I; Royal to face Mater Dei in first round
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers BRINGING HEAT- Pioneer senior Allison Mapes hears words of encouragement from her teammates during a throwing drill.

If there's any team that's familiar with the pressure the New England Patriots felt last January, it's the Simi Valley High School softball team.

Like the AFC champions, Simi Valley was perfect throughout the regular season, going 270 overall and 14-0 in the Marmonte League. The Pioneers scored a leaguehigh 179 runs while allowing a league-low 27 runs.

"At the beginning of the season, I knew we had a great team," senior third baseman/ catcher Rebecca Grant said. "But 27-0 is just insane. It's not like I doubted we could do it, but it's really unbelievable when you look back and see what we've accomplished."

The Pioneers' season has been amazing, but, with the CIFSouthern Section Division I playoffs starting, SVHS players know they must put previous accomplishments aside and focus on the task at hand: winning the program's first section championship since 1993.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers PRACTICE HARD, PLAY HARD- Simi Valley High senior Rebecca Grant tags out junior Amber Olive during practice at Santa Susana Park. SVHS opens the CIF-SS playoffs Tuesday at home.

Simi Valley earned the top seed in the Division I bracket and a bye in today's first round. The team's first playoff test will come Tuesday when the Pioneers host the winner of a firstround game between Trabuco Hills and Edison.

By the time SVHS plays, 12 days will have passed since its last game. Senior Tawny Reeger said the time off will help, not hurt.

"We all want to play, that's for sure," Reeger said. "I mean, the whole team was online the day the brackets came out to see who we were playing.

"I believe the time off will help us because it gives us some time to work on the little things we haven't had time to do in the regular season with a game every other day."

Senior Sam Fischer echoed Reeger's statements.

"We now have a full week to work on cutoffs, sacrifice bunting, double plays, etc," Fischer said.

The Pioneers have won many games because of solid pitching and timely hitting, but many players say there's a third factor involved- superstition.

Grant hangs the same necklace in the rearview mirror of her car before every game. Reeger does a Nomar Garciaparra-like drill with her batting gloves before each plate appearance. The whole team wears face paint, which won't be allowed in the CIF playoffs. The most bizarre superstition, however, belongs to Fischer.

"A year ago, a coach asked me to think of something that makes me happy when I step up to hit," Fischer said. "I told him that Harry Potter makes me happy.

"I can't believe I'm telling you this, and I know it kind of makes me a nerd, but when I step up to the plate I'm not thinking about curveballs or fastballs, I'm thinking about Harry Potter."

Fischer's think-before-you-hit philosophy has worked well.

The senior shortstop was the league's co-batting champion with a .486 average. She also led the Marmonte with 10 home runs, a 1.054 slugging percentage, 29 RBI and a .594 on-base percentage.

Simi Valley, however, is hardly a one-girl wrecking crew at the plate. Fischer is one of six Pioneers to bat over .300 this season. The others are Brianna Stephan (.438), Haley Thomas (.368), Amber Olive (.354), Jessica Soria (.342) and Grant (.306).

Head coach Russ Michael said he hasn't determined which pitcher will start Tuesday, but the skipper has many options to choose from.

The team's collective ERA was a microscopic .778 thanks to contributions from Amanda Oliveto, Kelli-jo-Killingsworth and Sophia Perez.

"I've been a fortunate guy this year to have three solid pitchers, any of which I could draw out of a hat Tuesday and they would give me a solid performance," Michael said.

Although the Pioneers are aiming for a CIF title, Michael said the season won't be a disappointment if they don't finish first.

"I already feel we've had a successful season and accomplished a lot," Michael said. "My assistant coaches, Mike Bergmier and Diana Michael, have helped make this a special team, but anything can happen in the playoffs.

"That being said, we're very confident. We're accomplished one of our goals in winning a league title. Now we want to accomplish our new goal of winning CIF."

Royal High also made the playoffs with a 13-13 overall record, 8-6 in the Marmonte League. This afternoon at 3:15 p.m., the Highlanders play at Mater Dei, the Trinity League's second-place team.

Royal will likely send senior Liz Tsipouras to the mound. Tsipouras had a decision in all 26 of the Highlanders' games while posting a 1.00 ERA.

Tsipouras' pitching will have to be in top form because RHS has struggled at times at the plate. Only Tsipouras (.307), Colleen Nilles (.378) and Sammi Mallory (.275) batted above .250 this year.