HS BASE: Simi Valley "feeling good and loose" for DI title game

If the Simi Valley Pioneers are intimidated about the prospect of facing fireballing pitcher Aaron Hicks of Long Beach Wilson tonight in the Div. I championship at Dodger Stadium, they aren't showing it.

"We're feeling good and loose. I like the vibe, the feeling," coach Matt La Belle was saying just a moment ago as the teams were warming up. "They're confident but not overconfident."

Nevertheless, La Belle has been around long enough to know that if Hicks -- who is 8-1 and throws 97 mph -- has his best stuff, Simi Valley could be in for an uphill climb.

"We just need to have a good approach and make him prove he can throw his curveball for strikes," La Belle said. "If he's throwing hard and his curveball is going over, too, then we could be in trouble. But so would anybody."

Drew Sandler (6-3) takes the mound for Simi Valley. First pitch at 7:30 p.m. Should be a good one.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com