The562’s high school softball coverage is sponsored by Playmakers. Visit LetsBePlaymakers.org for more information on their adaptive sports programs.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Lakewood celebrated Senior Day on Tuesday at Lisa Fernandez Field with an exciting comeback to beat Wilson 7-6 in Moore League softball action. Lancers senior Madylyn Wynia provided the key triple and run that ended up being the game-winner that kept Lakewood in the league title hunt.
Wilson took a lead in the first, second and fourth innings but each time Lakewood found a different way to take a lead of its own.
“It was really important for us seniors to come together and I think we did a good job of keeping each other up but also keeping the whole team up because we know things are an important game to keep us in (the hunt for league title),” Wynia said.
Lakewood leadoff hitter Isabella Rueda sent 4-for-4 with four singles and scored twice thanks in part to a pair of stolen bases. She agreed with Wynia that supporting each other helped the Lancers stay positive with themselves.
“We do tend to show (disappointment) too much, but as the season has been going we’ve been getting better and talking more as a team,” Rueda said.
Starting pitcher Star Tapia also mentioned her mental state of mind as the key to overtime early struggles in the game. She went the distance while giving up 11 hits and a walk, standing nine runners on base.
“There’s times when I get down on myself,” Tapia said. “But my mentor (Lakewood AD Mike Wadley) told me, ‘You touch the ball every single play, you don’t get to be down because your whole team is behind you and see that.’ That’s something I have to remind myself of because you can’t be upset about it, you have to go to the next pitch.”
Wynia and Katelynn Lewis each had two hits for Lakewood. Wilson shortstop Sacha Zalamea was a home run short of the hitting for the cycle and finished with 2 RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Kaijah Alexander chipped in an RBI double and a single while Alexsa Barrera had a pair of RBI doubles before scoring twice.
Rueda added that attention to detail against Wilson ace Emily Castano was key to keeping Lakewood rallies going.
“Every time you face (Castano) you have to know what’s going on when you get into the (batters) box,” she said. “Like reading the defense (positioning).You have to get in there and feel comfortable and it helps to know I’ve got a team behind me who believe in me.”
“Hats off to Wilson,” Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes said. “They’re a good little scrappy team. (Zalamea) is a stud, they put the ball into play. They did things right, we were just a little better today.”
Lakewood has another key matchup with Long Beach Poly before facing rival Millikan in the regular season finale on April 24. That game could end up deciding the Moore League championship.
“We can battle,” Miramontes said. “It’s gonna take a spark but I think we’re in the hunt. We’re fighting for that first place spot.”
