BASEBALL NOTEBOOK; CAMARILLO MAKING ITS STATEMENT.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Camarillo High can still play baseball. The Scorpions are just a little more anonymous now.

When Camarillo left the high-profile Marmonte League for the Pacific View League two years ago, the Scorpions stopped seeing themselves consistently featured in the headlines.

But when there are performances like Wednesday's 10-2 thrashing of former league rival Thousand Oaks, it's difficult to ignore the Scorpions.

``We were in the Marmonte League for four years. . . . We were always first or second in that league,'' Scorpions coach Scott Cline said. ``And then we get moved over to (the Pacific View).

``Anybody below the hill . . . doesn't get a lot of pub . . . (in the Marmonte League) we had all kinds of pub. And this year, (the current players) are starting to get angry that they're not getting any.''

In Ventura County, Camarillo is indeed a well-kept secret amid Westlake's unbeaten run that ended Wednesday, and Thousand Oaks' continued success.

But consider that the 16-4 Scorpions are five runs away from a perfect record: three one-run losses to Hart, Gahr and Canyon and a 2-0 league defeat to Oxnard.

``Now at 16-4 and beating (Thousand Oaks), I think they've got a shot to get their (pictures) back in there,'' Cline said.

After a nine-day layoff between games, Camarillo looked at Wednesday's nonleague matchup at Thousand Oaks as a chance to play its way into some recognition.

The Scorpions dominated the game despite sitting down two regulars and starting three sophomores and a freshman.

Each of Thousand Oaks' top three pitchers - Tracy Goebel, Greg Simonetti and Chris Cordeiro - made appearances. Camarillo had success against all of them.

``It's always a good time when you get to play a good team like Thousand Oaks, that's very renowned and in the papers all the time,'' senior catcher Spencer Wyman said.

``We're a good team. We started off a little slow because we're young, but we're starting to get experience. And we can play with anybody.''

Several of Camarillo's starters hit over .400, but the pitching of junior Jim Alstot was what Cline wanted to talk about after his performance against Thousand Oaks. And Wyman preferred to discuss Camarillo's defense when asked about his team's strengths.

The way the Scorpions excelled at the plate, on the mound and in the field on Wednesday, this could be a formidable opponent in the Southern Section playoffs.

``When you come to play a big team, you've got to play well,'' Wyman said. ``So it was good to see us challenged and play well.''

--Add Camarillo: Sluggers like current Stanford standout Joe Borchard gave Camarillo a reputation as being a power team.

The Scorpions have the aforementioned lineup of .400 hitters, but they're winning without the luxury of a true home run hitter.

``We don't have the power we've had in the past. We've hit 40 home runs five years in a row. This will be the first year we won't. We're at about 20,'' Cline said.

``But I'll tell you what, we swing the bats. We don't strike out. We put the ball in play, and I've got about six guys that can run.''

--Heart of Dixie: Each time Thousand Oaks second baseman Adam Leavitt stepped to the plate Wednesday, the press box sound system blared out the classic rock tune ``Sweet Home Alabama.''

The Lynyrd Skynrd song is a perfect fit for Leavitt, who will make Alabama his home next year when he plays at Troy State.

By chance, one of Leavitt's teammates had a Skynrd CD in his car on Wednesday and the press box got a hold of it.

``They've been waiting for me to hit a home run at home so they can play it. And I haven't hit one for a while,'' Leavitt said. ``I guess today was a pretty good opportunity to play it. They had it so it's fun.''

--Keeping tabs: Royal High of Simi Valley graduate Matthew Rainer came up with one of his biggest performances of the year last Friday against Pacific.

Rainer was shaky early but allowed just one hit in his final four innings. He went eight innings to earn the victory, 10-6 over the Tigers.

Rainer, a junior right-hander, is 3-3 with a 6.18 ERA for Nevada. He went 11-3 last season.

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Photo: Camarillo junior pitcher Jim Alstot turned in a strong performance Wednesday in a victory over Thousand Oaks.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer