The Moorpark College baseball team needs a lift.

And the Raiders have just the guy to give it to them.

Dylan Gaughen can pitch, hit, field, run the bases and as those in Simi Valley recall carry a team when necessary.

Which is just what third-place Moorpark may need having dropped three of its last four games entering next week's series against second-place Cuesta College, which has won at least a share of the Western State Conference's North Division title in seven of the past eighth seasons.

"We've got to go into these next couple of games like it's do or die already," said Gaughen. "It is the playoffs."

Gaughen proved himself a clutch player during his storybook senior season at Simi Valley High, when he helped the Pioneers earn their first CIF sectional title in 2004.

The CIF-Southern Section Division II Player of the Year was downright Ruthian during the run, striking out nine consecutive hitters in the wild-card win over Atascadero, striking out 14 in 7 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the quarterfinal win over West Torrance and hitting a game-winning grand slam off the scoreboard in the sixth inning of the semifinal win over Corona Santiago.

"I was standing out there by the scoreboard with a bunch of coaches when he hit it," said Moorpark coach Mario Porto. "He hammered that thing."

It was the type of experience Gaughen can share with his teammates when times are tough.

"It definitely showed me how much fun baseball can be when you're playing with good players and players that like to work together," said Gaughen. "It shows hard work does pay off in the end.

"Our team at Simi wasn't the best team, but for that month we were in the playoffs, it was the best team."

So Porto knew his team was getting a boost when Gaughen returned home from UNLV after his opportunities were limited by Texas transfer Calvin Beamon.

As Moorpark's cleanup hitter, Gaughen is hitting .364 with three home runs and 26 RBIs in 108 at-bats.

As the Raiders' closer, Gaughen has allowed just one run on four hits and four walks in 12 1/3 innings pitched. He's 1-1 with seven saves in his 10 appearances.

He's one of two WSC pitchers who have yet to allow a run in conference play.

"He's having a phenomenal season," said Porto.

And when he pulls his baseball pants up over his waist, his teammates, especially catcher Phil Johnson, see Gaughen's resemblance to baseball royalty.

"The build, the facial features, you're not the first guy that's said that," said Porto. "Although he runs a lot better than the Babe did."

Comparisons to perhaps the finest player to don pinstripes are obviously unfair to both parties, although Porto knows one way in which they are apt.

"We're not comparing him to Babe Ruth," said Porto, "but he's got something that made the Babe the Babe. He enjoys the game of baseball.

"Whenever you see footage of Babe Ruth, he's always smiling. It looks like he's having a heck of a time on the baseball field. And Dylan Gaughen has that look."

Perhaps also like Ruth, Gaughen feels that his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame keeps observers from fully appreciating his abilities, which Porto feels are complemented by a sharp baseball acumen.

"He doesn't have your typical athlete-looking body, but you watch him, he runs pretty good for a big guy," said Porto. "It's because he knows what to look for. He just knows the game."

Porto told a story of Gaughen hustling to take an extra base Tuesday. Those at Moorpark's game Thursday saw the big cleanup hitter go the other way to convert consecutive RBI situations in the teeth of difficult conditions in Oxnard.

Before the season even began, Gaughen picked up a first baseman's mitt because of a glut of Moorpark outfielders and has shined at the new position.

"He's one of the smartest baseball players that I've ever coached at Moorpark College," said Porto. "He's a very intelligent guy, whether it's base running, watching pitchers, knowing the situation or knowing what the other team can possibility do.

"He knows the game of baseball."

And the Raiders know they have a gem.