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.
Millikan needed a win against Wilson to solidify second place in Moore League. Behind some great pitching from Austin Paul and hot offense totalling 11 hits throughout the game, the Rams were able to do just that in an 8-6 win.
Millikan (19-8, 8-3) struck early thanks to an RBI single from Ben Kiesler in the first inning, immediately putting the Rams up 1-0.
“Getting that run in the first inning, getting ahead, and getting our pitcher a lead was really important,” Millikan coach Ron Keester said. “We were really excited to start off like that.”
The Rams used this early momentum to carry them through the rest of the game, scoring six runs through four innings before the Bruins got on the board. A fielder’s choice put Millikan up 2-0 in the second inning.
Then a pitching change in the fourth inning for the Bruins led to four consecutive walks with bases loaded, tacking on four more runs and extending the Rams lead to 6-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.
That is where Wilson (16-12, 7-5) finally found a run. Ben Orduno’s RBI single to left field brought Rudy Carlos Jr. across the plate to get the Bruins on the board. This was just one of Wilson’s ten hits throughout the game.
“I’m pleased with the way we swung the bats,” Bruin coach Andy Hall said. “We’re starting to figure it out at home plate and hopefully we can carry that onto playoffs.”
The Rams had 11 hits overall, tallying up to eight runs total after Wyatt Ormonde’s two RBI single to right field in the seventh.
“[The offense] gives me that confidence,” Millikan starter Austin Paul said. “With that I can just go out and trust everyone behind me.” Paul pitched 6 ⅓ innings with four strikeouts.
Despite trailing 8-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Bruins managed to stay composed at the plate, as Taylor Kirk and Rudy Carlos Jr. both had RBI singles. After Paul was taken out of the game, Wilson managed two hit by pitches with bases loaded to total four more runs in the seventh. However, the deficit proved too much as the Bruins fell 8-6.
Both teams are through to the playoffs and have hopes for their runs.
“We just have to see who’s the healthiest and who will give us the best chance to win,” Hall said of his depth in the bullpen and on the bench going into playoffs. “I like the depth we have. We hope to go far.”
“When Paul’s on the mound, he gives us a chance,” Keester said. “We’ll let him rest for a week and if we play a little bit better defense behind him, I think we have a chance.”
Millikan is in Division 1 while Wilson is in Division 3.
