The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2022-23 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The rain and sloppy field conditions have made it difficult to play baseball the past couple weeks. For the Millikan Rams, they’d gone nine days without a game prior to their meeting against league rivals Wilson on Monday afternoon.
But the Rams showed no signs of rust on their home field, scoring in each of the first four innings and eventually leading by a dozen before closing out a 12-3 victory over the visiting Bruins.
“I felt we had some good at-bats and we were able to take advantage of some of their miscues to get out to a big lead early and kinda take the wind out of their sails,” said Millikan head coach Ron Keester after the long-awaited win. “It’s a weird season for both of us, and we just happened to be fortunate to be on the right side today.”
It was the No. 9 hitter that led the way for Millikan on Monday as sophomore shortstop Andrew Perez went 4-for-4, collecting three RBIs along the way. As a team, the Rams combined for 13 hits in six innings.
“I’ve never gotten four hits in a game,” admitted Perez. “And against Wilson, too, that feels pretty good.”
Cameron Hegamin had a pair of hits, including a first inning single that helped the Rams get on the board. An errant throw to third base allowed Ben Keisler to come home for one of his two runs scored on the afternoon, making it 1-0 Rams. Perez would double the lead in the second as his RBI single into left field scored Anthony Minton, who was hit by a pitch to start the frame.
Millikan really broke things open in the third as the first five Rams reached base safely. A few defensive miscues helped extend the rally, and Perez added his second RBI with a bases-loaded knock to help the Rams put up six runs in the inning.
Wyatt Ormonde tripled and scored to lead off the fourth as Millikan continued to apply pressure on the Wilson pitching staff. Ormonde had a pair of hits and two runs scored for the home team. Ethan Emami drilled a two-run double in the sixth, which was one of just two extra-base hits for the Rams in their win.
Aaron Mingo had two hits and an RBI for Wilson as the visitors rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to avoid the shutout.
Millikan starter Austin Paul worked four scoreless innings to pick up the win, collecting five strikeouts (four looking) while walking a batter.
But the Rams’ offense didn’t miss a beat after some time off. According to Perez, the team has been working hard, just not in game conditions.
“A lot of BP in the mud,” said a smiling Perez when asked how the team has stayed locked in offensively. “A lot of practices after rainy days. But I mean, it’s paying off.”
Millikan will travel to face Peninsula on Wednesday then gear up for a huge game Thursday against first-place Long Beach Poly on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. That game will be the 3:30 p.m. matinee in a key Moore League doubleheader with Wilson facing Lakewood in the nightcap.
