Young’s Stellar Career Ends, Simi Valley Keeps Rolling Along

The players’ names change, but the best high school baseball team in Ventura County remains Simi Valley.

The Marmonte League was laden with more talent than in any year in recent memory, but the Pioneers (22-5, 12-2 in league play) again prevailed in a hard-fought battle with Thousand Oaks (18-6-1, 10-3-1) and Channel Islands (16-6, 10-4). Simi Valley has won seven league championships in 13 seasons under Mike Scyphers, the county coach of the year.

“We started several young players and mixed them in with a good nucleus of experienced players,” Scyphers said. “We weren’t supposed to win league. I felt we could, but you never know how youth will rise to the occasion. The players all passed the test with flying colors.”

Leading Simi Valley was Brian Vasey, a pitcher-shortstop who was named county pitcher of the year. The Pioneers landed four players on the first team, including senior catcher Steve Bernstein, junior first baseman Aaron Fischer and sophomore outfielder Kevin Nykoluk. All four batted at least .400, and Nykoluk was named Cal-Hi Sports magazine’s state sophomore player of the year.

The Pioneers batted .406 in league play, .377 overall, and set a school record with 142 walks.

“I gotta believe a big factor in our success was our discipline at the plate,” Scyphers said.

Behind a powerful lineup led by Dmitri Young, the county player of the year, Rio Mesa (18-8, 10-4) won the Channel League championship for the second year in a row. Young, taken fourth overall in the amateur draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, set numerous Southern Section and county batting records during his four-year career.

Not to be overshadowed by Young’s achievements, however, were those of teammate Mike Mitchell, a two-time all-county selection who batted .457, hit seven home runs and drove in 29 runs.

A Thousand Oaks team rich in talent challenged Simi Valley until the final week of the regular season. Second baseman Ryan Kritscher, the county’s stolen base leader (40 of 42) and best leadoff hitter, catcher Brian Sturges and right-handed pitcher Mike Lee emerged as the top Lancer performers.

Channel Islands boasted one of the nation’s best outfielders in Jacob Cruz and the county strikeout leader, right-hander Angel Aragon, who was 10-2 with 85 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings. Aragon also batted .380.

Westlake, the 1990 Marmonte League champion, slipped in the league standings despite the efforts of outfielders Rob Neal and Todd Preston. Neal, a two-time selection, batted .407 and was drafted in the 14th round by the Minnesota Twins. Preston, who batted .447, is also a quarterback who will attend Cal on a football scholarship.

Royal and Newbury Park each placed a talented junior on the all-county team. Dave Landaker, Royal’s shortstop, batted .408. Robert Fick, Newbury Park’s catcher, hovered near .500 for most of the season before leveling off at .459.

The surprise of the Channel League was Hueneme (18-8, 9-5), which, behind the pitching of junior Frank Adame (10-2) and a scrappy lineup, challenged Rio Mesa until the final week.

Fillmore (18-4-1, 9-2-1), a longtime Tri-Valley League power, moved up to the Frontier League and promptly took the league championship, nosing out Santa Clara (15-7, 9-3).

TIMES ALL STARS VENTURA COUNTY Coach of the Year Name: Mike Scyphers School: Simi Valley Year: 13th Season Average: 22-5 Pitcher of the Year Name: Brian Vasey School: Simi Valley Year: Senior Average: 10-1 record Player of the Year Name: Dmitri Young School: Rio Mesa Year: Senior Average: .425 avg. Name: Kevin Nykoluk School: Simi Valley Year: Sophomore Position: Outfielder Average: .400 Name: Todd Preston School: Westlake Year: Senior Position: Outfielder Average: .447 Name: Brian Sturges School: Thousand Oaks Year: Senior Position: Catcher Average: .365 Name: Frank Adame School: Hueneme Year: Junior Position: Pitcher Average: 10-2 Name: Angel Aragon School: Channel Islands Year: Junior Position: Pitcher Average: 10-2 Name: Steve Bernstein School: Simi Valley Year: Senior Position: Catcher Average: .444 Name: Jacob Cruz School: Channel Islands Year: Senior Position: Outfielder Average: .443 Name: Robert Fick School: Newbury Park Year: Junior Position: Catcher Average: .459 Name: Aaron Fischer School: Simi Valley Year: Junior Position: Infielder Average: .473 Name: Ryan Kritscher School: Thousand Oaks Year: Senior Position: Infielder Average: .431 Name: Dave Landaker School: Royal Year: Junior Position: Infielder Average: .408 Name: Mike Lee School: Thousand Oaks Year: Senior Position: Pitcher Average: 6-1 Name: Mike Mitchell School: Rio Mesa Year: Senior Position: Infielder Average: .457 Name: Rob Neal School: Westlake Year: Senior Position: Outfielder Average: .407