Langford Makes Short Work of Camarillo

Had Simi Valley High pitcher Rich Langford been wearing a long-sleeved shirt Friday, he probably would have been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.

As it was, Langford’s right arm was in full view of host Camarillo in a Marmonte League opener. But the firsthand look did not help Scorpion baserunners advance beyond first base very often--three times in all.

In fact, only one Camarillo runner advanced as far as third against Langford in a 6-0 loss to Simi Valley. Langford, a senior, pitched a three-hitter and struck out 12 against a team expected to contend with defending champion Simi Valley for the league title.

“He dominated them,” Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers said. “He just really overpowered their lineup. He threw a strike whenever he wanted.”

Simi Valley (7-1) scored the only run it needed with two out in the first inning.

Camarillo starter Steve Biggs (2-1) walked Terry Hill, who advanced to second when catcher Chris Johnson lost control of a pitch. Hill scored when Kenny Hood hit a ground ball to shortstop Mike Muncy, who overthrew first baseman Matt Tackett.

Simi Valley sent seven batters to the plate in the third and chalked up three more runs. A double to center by Hill with one out scored Andy Hodgins, who was aboard on a fielder’s choice. Hill scored on a sacrifice fly by Greg Santos for the second run of the inning after a single by Hood, who came around on a passed ball and an error by Tackett. The Scorpions (3-3) avoided further damage when Biggs picked off Jeff Sommer at first.

Simi Valley increased its lead to 6-0 when Jesse Anguiano and Hodgins hit back-to-back doubles and Hill singled.

Meanwhile, Langford was mowing down Camarillo batters. The Scorpions’ best chance to score came in the second when Johnny Barroso and Johnson hit consecutive singles with two out and advanced to second and third on a passed ball. However, Billy Lynch, the No. 8 batter in the lineup, grounded out to short to end the threat.

“I got down to the seven, eight and nine batters and I threw some fastballs,” Langford said. “I threw too many. I wasn’t mixing up my pitches.”

But he had the Scorpions mixed up the rest of the way, retiring 16 of the last 18 batters--nine by strikeout--and allowing only one hit and one walk.

“If we are going to win and beat a guy like Langford we’re going to have to do it by getting some base hits,” said Ken Wagner, Camarillo’s coach.