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The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The defending Moore League champions didn’t show many signs of weakness on Thursday evening, as the Millikan Rams were all over Long Beach Poly from the start in an impressive 10-0 mercy rule shutout.
Millikan saw their first six batters reach base in the bottom of the first inning, racing out to a 5-0 lead before the visiting Jackrabbits could catch their breath. With senior ace Ava Schaffel in full command, the Rams ran away with a five-inning shutout to set the tone for their title defense this season.
“I’m really pleased. I feel kind of a weight off my shoulders,” said Millikan head coach Michelle Lehr after the win. “I feel like the girls really came to compete. I think that’s always the number one thing you ask yourself as a coach is the team gonna show up, and they showed up today.”
The Rams’ only loss during Moore League play in 2023 came against the Jackrabbits, so there was certainly a measure of revenge for the home team. Schaffel was a huge part of that success, allowing just two singles on the day while racking up eight strikeouts in five innings.
“She was completely dialed in today,” Lehr said of Schaffel. “She even had some pitches today that haven’t been as consistent so far through our season that really took off today, which was awesome.”
Specifically, it was Schaffel’s rise ball that was an added weapon in this game, and it got better as the game went on. The San Diego State commit struck out four of the final five batters she faced and had multiple K’s in three out of five innings.
As a junior, Schaffel’s innings were limited due to injury, but she looks to be back in top form for her final season on campus. She’s spent time getting herself ready both mentally and physically, and Thursday was a terrific display of that progress.
“I’ve been working on my confidence a lot and my strength,” Schaffel explained. “This year, I’m just focused in and really getting better. And it’s just nice to know that I’m injury-free and I can do all the things that I want to do now and I’ll be good.”
It’s easier to be confident when you’re given an early 5-0 advantage, and Millikan was able to deliver that, starting with a 2-run single by Katie Knarr in the bottom of the first inning. That brought home Morgan Zimmerman and Kayla Cisneros, who each walked and stole a base.
Two batters later, Lela “Hyphy” Asi drilled a two-run triple to right field, bringing home Knarr and courtesy runner Mia Mesa. Asi would touch home next as Riley McAndrew dropped an RBI single into right field, making it a 5-run rally for the home team.
McAndrew delivered some more insurance in the third inning, stepping in with a pair of Rams on base ahead of her. She drilled a ball to straightaway center field, carrying over the temporary fence and out for a three-run home run.
“It felt really good off the bat, so I was pretty sure it was going out. but you never know,” said McAndrew, a sophomore playing a big role in her first big Moore League game for the three-time defending champs. “On this team, you’ve just got to take advantage of your opportunities. There’s so many other people on the bench waiting for their spot, so when you get your opportunity you really gotta make sure you show up, so I’m trying to do that.”
Cisneros was on base all three times thanks to two walks and a single, scoring a pair of runs out of the No. 2 hole. McAndrew led the way with four RBIs and Asi collected a pair of hits out of the No. 5 spot in the order.
For Long Beach Poly, they were without senior shortstop Tiare Ho-Ching, who’s dealing with an injury. Younger sister Ki’ele had one of Poly’s two hits on the day and also made a terrific defensive play in the first to turn a double play and end Millikan’s rally.
The Jackrabbits will host Jordan on Tuesday in their next league game while Millikan will remain at home for another important matchup, hosting Wilson at 4 p.m.
