Simi Valley Comeback Ends Whiteville’s Win Streak

ORLANDO, Fla. —  In a game full of drama, Simi Valley High rallied to defeat Whiteville, N.C., 11-10, in nine innings Wednesday in a second-round game of the Colonial tournament.

The victory snapped a 32-game winning streak by Whiteville, the defending North Carolina 2-A Division champion.

“I loved it,” said Simi Valley reliever Trevor Leppard (5-1), who posted his second win in as many days. “I’ve dreamed about playing in a game like this, but I never thought I’d live to do it--and also win it.”

The Pioneers (10-5), who fell behind, 7-1, in the fourth, eventually tied the score, 7-7, in the top of the seventh on a two-run home run by Kevin Nykoluk and a two-run single by catcher Jason Houchen.

Aaron Whitley gave Simi Valley a 10-7 lead with a three-run homer in the eighth, but the Pioneers made two errors in the bottom of the inning, allowing Whiteville to tie the score, 10-10.

The Pioneers disdained the long ball in the ninth and manufactured a run. Britten Pond drew a leadoff walk, took second on a wild pitch, moved to third on Houchen’s fly out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Alcala.

Leppard then slammed the door on the Wolfpack (6-1). Leppard threw six innings Tuesday and 2 2/3 Wednesday. Afterward, he said his arm was tired but that he gladly would take the ball if the call comes again today.

“He’s carrying us now,” Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers said. “Five wins in relief. What more can you ask of a kid.”

But this was a game of many heroes.

“So much happened in that game . . . it was a total team effort,” Scyphers said. “I don’t know where to start. There were an abundance of key things.”

Simi Valley fell far behind when Scyphers called for starter Chris Devlin to intentionally walk No. 3 hitter Andre Spicer to load the bases with two out in the fourth. Bryan Etheridge responded with a grand slam to give Whiteville a 7-1 lead.

“I hung a curveball and he hit it--he hit it hard,” said Devlin, who struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings. “The next inning I came out and threw like I should have in the first place.”

Simi Valley will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Lakeland, N.Y., and Lower Cape May, N.J., tonight at 6:30.