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 Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Addyson Everett came through when her team needed it the most on Thursday at Joe Rodgers Stadium.
The Millikan sophomore drove in a career-best six runs that helped Millikan turn a close game into a comfortable 10-5 win over Wilson. Her 3-run double in the sixth inning broke a 3-3 tie and helped the Rams stay undefeated and atop the Moore League softball standings.
“Honestly, I’m just kind of blocking out everyone and just thinking, ‘See ball, hit ball,’ and just keep it simple,” Everett said. “I’m trying not to do too much at that moment.”
Everett was hitting seventh in the lineup and finished with two singles and a double to collect six RBI.
“She’s a sophomore who hit very well for us last year and had some clutch moments as a freshman and she’s just an impact hitter,” Millikan coach Michelle Lehr said of her designated player Everett. “She’s sat behind an upperclassman and she should probably be on the field, next year she will be one of the corner positions, but her bat is just one you can’t have out of the lineup. If she goes through a slump you have to let her work through it because she’s always produced.”
After Wilson took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Charlotte White’s walk and eventually a costly error, it was Riley McAndrew and Everett who hit back-to-back singles to put Millikan up 2-1 after two.
This is the second game this week that Millikan has fallen behind early. They struggled against Poly on Tuesday on the same field before turning on late for the victory.
“I think it’s great that we are delivering under pressure, but we’re creating the pressure,” Lehr said. “ In the last two games we’re kind of beating ourselves. We’re applying pressure that should not be there.”
Wilson took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning thanks to another White walk and RBI knock from Hannah Stump. Millikan starting pitcher Ava Schaffel used one of her 12 strikeouts on the day to end the threat.
Bruins ace Emily Castano did a great job getting the Rams to pop the ball up in the middle innings, but the visitors eventually got to her and reliever Kaijah Alexander in the later innings.
Both teams used small ball to scratch a run in the fifth inning to tie it 3-3.
In the sixth inning, consecutive singles from Millikan’s Katie Knarr, Jocelyn Owen, Lela Asi, McCandrew and then the big hit from Everett delivered the killing blow. The Rams added four more in the seventh inning, including a 2-out 2 RBI knock from Everett.
“I think we just have amazing talent and we back each other up… We support each other and just keep the rally going,” Everett said of her team.
Lehr agreed that depth is why Millikan’s offense is so good.
“One through nine this team hits and we’re starting to see that,” coach said. “I feel like the ones we weren’t even expecting to be clutch.”
Millikan has one big game against Lakewood (Wed. April, 24) left on the schedule. Wilson visits Compton next Monday for its last regular season game.
