Manlet, Simi Valley Finally Reach Goal of Playing in Southern Section Final

Simi Valley High Coach Suzanne Manlet has waited 12 years for tonight’s softball game.

Simi Valley (26-2) will face Cypress (24-5) in the Southern Section 5-A Division championship game at Mayfair Park in Lakewood at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s always been my goal to be in the final game,” said Manlet, who is in her 12th season. “Winning is secondary to being there . . . but, that’s not to say that I don’t want to win it.”

This is Simi Valley’s first appearance in the final. Cypress, a two-time title winner, last appeared in the final in 1987, when the Centurions beat Thousand Oaks, 5-0.

The Pioneers knocked off top-seeded Mater Dei, 2-0, Tuesday in the semifinals--their fourth consecutive shutout. Simi Valley has outscored four playoff opponents, 18-0, and has scored at least two runs in each game. Mater Dei has eliminated the Pioneers in the playoffs in each of the past two years.

Run production is a problem for Cypress, which reached the final with a 2-0 win over Camarillo, last year’s 5-A champion, and three earlier 1-0 victories. Cypress is paced by junior right-hander Monica Jimenez (22-4, 0.18 earned-run average, 225 strikeouts). She also leads the team with a .292 batting average.

Offensively, Simi Valley combines power and speed. Senior catcher Kathy Beasley (.360, five doubles), who hit a two-run home run against Mater Dei, has 15 runs batted in. Other power hitters include right fielder Yody Roache (.311, 16 RBIs, four doubles, four triples) and designated-hitter Tracy Hanson (.309, five doubles, four triples). Left fielder Kris Lufkin (.319, 15 RBIs), shortstop Taina Tande and second baseman Amy Powell provide the speed.