Simi Valley

Pioneers Head Coach: Matt La Belle (2nd season)

Last year: 27-7, 7-5 in league (3rd in Marmonte, won CIF Div. II championship)

Biggest loss: Dylan Gaughen, P (.398 BA, 30 RBI, 10 HRs, 1.62 ERA)

Notable returnees: Bryan Anderson, catcher (.396 BA, 36 RBI, 8 HRs); Ben Orloff, CF (.281 BA, 29 runs, 10 stolen bases); Nick Giarraputo, 3B, P (16 RBI); Nick Nyberg, P

Key Newcomer: Nick Barnese, sophomore, P

Pitching Ace: Nick Nyberg

Big bat: Bryan Anderson

Overview: Yes, the Pioneers only return two starters from last year’s Div. II title team, but they are two good ones.

Anderson, last year’s Ventura County Player of the Year, had a .781 slugging percentage in 2004 and is considered one of the state’s top catching prospects. In hopes of getting the dangerous hitter as many at-bats as possible, second-year head coach La Belle has Anderson batting leadoff, a move to dissuade the growing tendency of opponents to give the senior a free pass rather than face him at the plate.

Orloff, a proven leader and as dependable a glove as there is in the league, is a threat to score a run every time he’s on base. La Belle is hoping his knowledge of what it takes to win will rub off on the bevy of new Pioneer faces. 2005 could be Giarraputo’s breakout year.

The pitching staff enters the season with just four innings of varsity experience, meaning that young arms (like sophomore Barnese and freshman Nick Russo) must learn quickly. Fortunately, La Belle is confident in the ability of seniors Giarraputo and Nyberg, as well as junior Frankie Reed, to keep the Pioneers in close ball games.

In a nutshell: With players like Anderson and Orloff, the Pioneers will remain a threat to win every time they step on the diamond. How much support they get in the lineup and the ability of Simi’s inexperienced rotation to keep games reasonable are the question marks. One thing’s for sure: the Pioneers aren’t giving up that CIF title without a fight.