In a Moore League softball game that had a combined 18 hits it was the defenses that ended up deciding the rivalry. Lakewood just made more clutch plays in the field to beat rival Millikan in walk-off fashion 4-3 on Tuesday night at Lisa Fernandez Field.
After she picked off two runners at second base in the fifth and seventh innings, Lakewood catcher Kendall Lundberg’s pop fly hit in the final frame brought home the winning run in Destinie Beck.
“We’ve been focusing on defense,” Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes said. “Little trick plays and back picks, we work them all of the time. Kendall did a great job getting those girls. You know they needed to score, and they took a big lead, and we took advantage of it.”
Lundberg’s throws down to second base ended both innings.
“I see hesitation from the runners,” Lundberg said of her choice to throw down to second base. “I saw it (early in the game) and lately I’ve been doing it quite a lot so it’s been good.”
Senior Rachel Rubio pitched a complete game for Millikan while giving up eight hits and striking out two. Lakewood junior pitchers Cassie Perryman (4IP, 6H, 2R, 2K BB) and Kaiya Yonamine (3IP, 3H, R, K, 2BB) got a lot of help from their defense as web gems ended multiple innings.
Millikan junior Anissa Ramos led the game off with a triple to left field, and the Rams took a 2-0 lead on sacrifice flies from Grace Fleming and Vivian Rodriguez. Lakewood tied the game in the bottom of the first on a squeeze bunt executed by Lundberg and Jordan Kaeka, and a throwing error.
The Lancers took a 3-2 lead in the third inning on a 2-out RBI single by McKenzie Hutchinson, and the Rams tied the game again in the sixth inning on a 2-out single by Kara Bresnhan.
After Lundberg killed the Millikan rally in the seventh with her second pick off, Beck led off the bottom of the frame with a bloop single. She beat out the throw to second on a bunt by Clarissa Salazar, and Taylor Pack was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. With the infield in, Lundberg’s pop up behind the second base bag fell and scored Beck for the win.
“When we play in league Millikan always brings their best,” Miramontes said. “They get up for the game, I expect it, but we found a way to come through today.”
LAKEWOOD
RF Clarissa Salazar: Double, Sac Fly
SS Jordan Kaeka: Single, Run, Sac Bunt
3B Taylor Pack: 2 Singles, Run, Walk
C Kendall Lundberg: Single, RBI, Run
1B McKenzie Hutchinson: Single, RBI
CF Destinie Beck: 2 Singles, Run
MILLIKAN
3B Anissa Ramos: Triple, Single
CF Grace Fleming: RBI Sac Fly, 2 Walks
DP Gretchen Goldsmith: Single, Run
SS Maya DeSota: 2 Singles, Run, Walk
1B Vivian Rodriguez: RBI Sac Fly
RF Kara Bresnhan: 2 Singles, RBI
C Lily Romero: Single, HBP
