The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s high school softball coverage for the 2023 season is sponsored by Long Beach City Councilwoman Megan Kerr.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Last season was full of late disappointment for the Bruins, and it was so close to being a completely different story. One out or one run at the right time could’ve had Wilson chasing the league title. Instead, Wilson lost five games against Millikan, Lakewood and Poly by a combined eight runs, and three of those games went to extra innings.
“It was a tough season, and it’s pretty simple what needs to happen,” Wilson coach George Molina said. “If we can figure out a way to hold leads and close games out we’ll have a shot. It’s just executing at the end.”
“Our biggest take away from those games is starting off earlier in the game and making sure we’re pushing through to get runs early,” Wilson Kaden Marsee said.
The Bruins lost four starters, but return a good amount of experience in leadership roles with Marsee and fellow seniors Caitlyn Almquist and Juliana “JJ” Babore tabbed as team captains.
“I’ve got to make sure I’m keeping the girls up by being a vocal leader on the field and in the dugout,” Marsee said of being a team leader. “I think energy goes a long way when you’re up to bat or on the field. If you get down it can just spiral into a bigger inning than it should be.”
Marsee and her teammates have put a premium on hitting live pitching to work on being ready early and approaching at-bats aggressively.
“In the first two pitches (of an at bat) you should be able to see that money ball strike,” Marsee said. “If you’re waiting too long in the count, which a lot of girls on our team struggled with last season, that puts you at a disadvantage.”
Molina thinks Marsee, who is back at first base, is one of his most reliable bats in the lineup because of her wide range of skills. She hit over .450 with a team-high six triples from the leadoff spot last season.
“She’s a great hitter with a good eye and discipline,” Molina said of Marsee. “She gets on base, has power and speed. If she needed to lay down a bunt she could. With a lot of experience she’s able to lead by example.”
The most important Bruins returning starter who isn’t a senior is junior ace Emily Castano. She had a breakout sophomore season by keeping batters off balance and inducing a ton of weak fly balls with her curve and screwball. Castano is also working her way back from injury.
Castano will be working with battery mate and All-League catcher JJ Babore. The senior hit .326 last season with a team-high eight doubles while being solid defensive and calling her own games with Castano.
Caitlyn Almquist is the third team captain who has played in the outfield, but is moving to third base to fill a team need. She hit .325 last season.
“They’re older and have experienced tough Moore League games and hopefully that will pay off and we can throw off hitters’ timing and get outs,” Molina said of Babore and Castano. “JJ’s arm has also gotten stronger to throw out runners.”
Wilson is young but experienced up the middle where sophomore shortstop Tallulah Watts and sophomore second baseman Hannah Stump are back after getting playing time as freshman.
The Bruins will be brand new in the outfield with a pair of freshman Tatum Yates and Charlotte White ready to burst onto the scene. Ashley Knisley, Miya Lao, and Ruby Leyva will also be key moving pieces in the lineup.
Behind Castano in the circle, Molina has solid arms in Kaijah Alexander, Leila Uribe and Jordan Simmons to bring out of the bullpen.
Wilson lost in the CIF wild card round last season, but could make a run this year in Division 4.
Projected Starting Lineup:
P – Emily Castano
C – Juliana “JJ” Babore
1B – Kaden Marsee
2B – Hannah Stump
SS – Tallulah Watts
3B – Caitlyn Almquist
OF – Tatum Yates
OF – Charlotte White
OF – Ashley Knisley
DP – Kaijah Alexander
