The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s coverage of Vikings athletics is sponsored in part by Long Beach City College.
The Long Beach City College softball team is fresh off a 29-13 season (its best record in 20 years) and a SoCal Regionals berth. But in a testament to the raised expectations that 2001 Vikings state champion Megan Martinez has brought to the program in her eight years as head coach, everyone’s walking around chomping at the bit to do better in 2023.
“Our girls were unhappy with the Super Regionals, they wanted a state berth,” said Martinez. “We have one goal and that’s to be at the state tournament in May. We talk about that before and after every practice. The time has come to bring it home. These girls want rings.”
Martinez has led a brick-by-brick revamp of the Vikings program that changed her life when she arrived fresh out of St. Joseph’s.
“Coming out of St. Joe’s, that big Division 1 scholarship was all people wanted to see,” she said. “It was frowned upon when I went to LBCC–it was the best decision I could have made. It changed my life. That set me on the path to be successful and not worry about other people. People at LBCC really wanted to help me and they did. So that’s my life mission: give back and make these kids feel like they matter. I’m so blessed every single day to go to work.”
Martinez has brought winning expectations, but also a winning culture. That’s why Division 1 bouncebacks like Lakewood’s Alejandra Mota (UC Davis) have picked LBCC. Martinez and her staff have also worked hard to get kids up to the next level, with three pandemic signings that saw them put Vikings who never even played at a game at LBCC up into the collegiate ranks.
Last year was a big step forward for the program in terms of postseason results, but the off-the-field markers that are so important to a JuCo program were there too. The team put another trio of players into the four-year college world and also opened its beautiful new softball stadium.
“It was pretty bad before, honestly,” said Martinez. “This new facility is beautiful. We hosted Oklahoma to practice when they were in town, it’s got great locker rooms and sound, it’s a real facility, it’s gorgeous.”
The team on the field for the Vikings this year will be just as exciting as the field they’re playing on. LBCC features Ashley Hester and Millikan alum Olivia Ramirez pitching, and Lakewood’s Mota, who Martinez said is a real standout.
“She’s our shining star, and a real brick wall at third base–and she opened up with a leadoff homerun on opening day,” said Martinez.
The team also returns 2022 standouts Brianna Nunez at first base and Alia Marquez in the outfield, where she’ll once again flash her best-in-state speed in center.
As a local kid herself, Martinez knows the importance of bringing in the local kids. The Vikings roster this year features four Moore League or LBUSD products, as well as another six players from nearby Cerritos, Norwalk, and Paramount.
“Everyone wants to tap into our little area because it is so strong,” said Martinez. “Our pitch is simple–we remain true to who we are. Those kids won’t be a number with us, we’re going to set them to a high standard. And we’re going to get them out. If we finish first or fifth, we still have a 90% transfer rate.”
Projected Starting Lineup
P- Ashley Hester, So. / Olivia Ramirez, So.
C- Breanna Lucero, Fr.
1B- Brianna Nunez, So.
2B- Jaiden Lopez, Fr.
SS- Jaela Ruiz, Fr.
3B- Alejandra Mota, Fr.
OF- Alia Marquez, So.
OF- Kirstin Sanchez, So.
OF- Jasmine Delgado, So.
DH- Racine Ruacho, So.
UTIL- Giselle Cobian, Fr.
