It's a not-so-simple matter to flourish in the uber-competitive Marmonte League, says Thousand Oaks High baseball coach Frank Mutz.

All you have to do is play well in all facets of the game. Even then, you might need some help.

"The best teams wait for you to make a mistake, then you have to pay for it," he said. "It's really important that you go out and play defense. If you throw strikes and catch the ball, there's a good chance you can win."

Thousand Oaks has been well-rounded of late, using top-notching pitching, hitting and defense to jump into the thick of the league chase.

The Lancers lost three of their first four league games, but have since won their last four league contests to move into a tie for second place.

Thousand Oaks takes on first-place Simi Valley on Wednesday with a chance to edge closer to the top of the standings.

League title or not, Mutz realizes the real reward in the Marmonte League is to qualify for postseason. Mutz firmly believes that any one of the league's playoff teams can do damage in Division I.

"One of our teams is going to make it to the championship game," he said. "We've all got the pitching to make that kind of run."

Thousand Oaks appears well-armed to emulate the success of its 2003 team, which won the Division II championship.

Chad Smith, who has signed with USC, and Jeff Johnson, who will next play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, have combined for six wins and 68 strikeouts in 66-plus innings. Cody Thomson, the No. 3 pitcher, is 5-2.

The offense is also potent, led by Arizona-bound catcher Jett Bandy, who is batting .387 with a team-best 22 RBIs.

Mutz likes the collective team character best of all.

"They're a hard-working group of kids who really get along well," he said. "That makes for great chemistry. If six of them went out for lunch and they all wanted something different, I guarantee you they would decide to eat at the same place."

The defense still remains the key, said Mutz.

"We had no errors in our last two league games against Moorpark and Agoura, and win them both," he said. "We play Crespi last weekend and make seven errors. We lose that game.

"Our kids understand that, and they're working hard every day in the field. We should get better and better."

All grown up: County coaches will tell you the success of high school baseball begins with strong youth programs in the region.

Check out the SoCal Crushers, whose 9-year-olds' team from a few years back has seen its players grow up and contribute for a host of local programs.

No less than 13 members of that team are now sophomores or juniors on local high school squads.

Blake Adams, Alex Solis and Mikel Beltran are at Oxnard; Jose Hernandez, Jesus Valdez and Brandon Hernandez are at Hueneme; Christian Yelich is at Westlake; Michael Dennis is at Newbury Park; Joe Luna, Tim Bennett and Austin Mascorro are at St. Bonaventure; Allen Gwynn is at Santa Paula; and Eddie Castro is at Rio Mesa.