VALLEY AREA HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Kozlowski, Kavanagh Propel Simi Valley

It was a rally that started with a cloud of dust and ended with a blast. It was only four batters long, but for Simi Valley High right-hander Kary Kozlowski, it was plenty.

The Pioneers scored four runs on four consecutive hits in the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory against host Thousand Oaks in a key early-season Marmonte League game Monday.

Simi Valley was having trouble hitting Thousand Oaks starter Tim Baron, managing only two hits in the first five innings. But with one out in the sixth, Ryan Hankins beat out a chopper to second.

Bill Scheffels sliced a soft double into right field, advancing Hankins to third base. Thousand Oaks pulled its infield in and Pioneer Jeff Michael grounded a single down the third base line, driving in Hankins and Scheffels.

Brian Kavanagh followed Michael with a home run, his third of the season, giving Simi Valley a 4-0 lead.

“We’re always going to hit,” Kavanagh said. “It’s just a matter of time. Sooner or later the other pitcher is going to throw us one of those meatballs and we’re going to get him.”

Kozlowski (4-0) gave up only three singles, struck out four and walked one. At one point, he retired 13 consecutive batters.

Baron (4-1) pitched almost as well, giving up six hits and no walks.

The game was the first in a key week for the Pioneers (10-1, 4-0 in league play). Having handed Thousand Oaks (9-4, 2-1) its first league loss, Simi Valley will play host to Newbury Park, the only other Marmonte team without a loss in league play, on Wednesday and Agoura on Friday.