ABOVE AND BEYOND ROE MAKES MOST OF OPPORTUNITY, BECOMES ACE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - The Simi Valley baseball team began the season with its projected top two pitchers unavailable. One was still playing basketball, and the other was recovering from arm surgery.

By the time Pioneers gained the services of additional arms, they had already found an unexpected but irreplaceable ace. Senior right-hander Mike Roe not only claimed the role of No. 1 starter, but he emerged as one of the region's premier pitchers by having one of the most dominant seasons the team has seen in years.

A year after posting a 4.44 ERA, Roe has a chance to break the Pioneers' season ERA record, which has stood for more than 25 years. He also could help Simi Valley earn its first playoff berth since 1995 and receive a scholarship to a top Division I college.

Even after allowing a run in Wednesday's victory over Newbury Park, Roe's ERA climbed to just 0.54 (the season record is 0.57). He is 5-1 with 47 strikeouts in 39 innings, holding opponents to a .168 average during the Pioneers' 11-3 start.

``Nobody expected this,'' Simi Valley coach Matt La Belle said. ``I expected him to have a good season, but this exceeds good.''

Roe showed potential in the past but had never been a standout at any level. Knowing this could be his last season playing the sport he's loved since early childhood made Roe determined to make this season different.

``The difference is I really worked hard in the offseason to get better,'' he said. ``I got a lot stronger and a lot better. I set a lot higher goals for myself.''

Roe's velocity increased more than 5 mph from last year, but his nearly pinpoint control is the biggest improvement.

``He's money on hitting his spots,'' La Belle said. ``He's always on the mark.''

Roe opened the season by holding City Section power Cleveland of Reseda to three hits and one run with nine strikeouts. He followed with another three-hit, nine-strikeout performance against two-time defending Golden League champion Quartz Hill, holding the Rebels' Division-I bound sluggers Matt Ware and Brian Chavez hitless.

The outings earned Roe Most Valuable Pitcher honors for the Daily News Invitational, which the Pioneers won for the first time.

Less than halfway through the Marmonte season he had surpassed his strikeout total of a year ago. Roe added eight more strikeouts in Wednesday's two-hit victory over Newbury Park, which put the Pioneers within two games of first place.

Just a year ago, Simi Valley finished last in the Marmonte League. Roe's role in the turnaround isn't going unnoticed. He's received significant interest from schools such as Cal State Fullerton, Fresno State and Long Beach State, where Roe would love to follow in the footsteps of former Pioneer and current 49ers All-American ace Jered Weaver.

Weaver and his older brother Jeff of the Dodgers, who has worked out with the Pioneers during the offseason, serve as motivation to Roe by providing a real example of what is possible. But for now, Roe prefers to focus on team success rather than personal achievements.

``I don't really think about,'' Roe said of his unfamiliar marquee status. ``I do what I need to do to win and don't worry about the other stuff.''

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

ROE FILE

Name: Mike Roe

Team: Simi Valley baseball

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

Quote: ``It feels great. We've come together so much from the beginning of the season and have done so much more than most people thought we would.''- Roe on the Pioneers, who, like him, are much improved and doing better than most expected.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Mike Roe is threatening to break Simi Valley's ERA record for a season. His ERA stands at 0.54 after allowing one run Wednesday against Newbury Park. The school record is 0.57.

Box:

ROE FILE (see text)