The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
There is plenty of experience and quality leadership on the Wilson softball roster for the Bruins to break through and get back to the top of the Moore League ladder. The nine seniors is the most that coach George Molina has ever had, and he knows that’s an advantage.
“They know me and they’re familiar with (the program) and obviously they came in together so that makes (the team) close and that’s important,” Molina said. “They get along pretty well and if you care about your teammates you play better.”
Senior Tallulah Watts is a four-year starter who has moved from shortstop to catcher where she will lean into the role as an All-League co-captain with fellow senior co-captains Hannah Stump and Leila Uribe.
“Freshman year I was quieter and put my head down and did what I needed to do, now senior year i’ve got to lead all of these girls and make sure they know what they’re doing,” Watts said. “I’m not the loudest person but I’m trying to be more vocal and answer questions.”
Watts played catcher when she was younger and said, “I do it for the team because we needed a catcher and I needed to step up, but I enjoy catching. I like being in control and having that relationship with the pitcher. It’s just me and her focusing on the game.”
With pitchers Uribe and Alexsa Barrera stepping up to pitch the most important innings this season, Watts will try to be a steady presence behind the plate.
“I’ve just been trying to keep them calm as much as possible,” Watts said. “If they’re walking batters I call timeout and go out there and talk to them about something funny that happened today or whatever to keep it calm and light. That comes natural, I try to relax in games because when you get stressed out things go downhill.”
Molina has taken a similar approach with his coaching style.
“You have to treat everyone differently because they have different personalities,” Molina said. “There’s kids who I have to push a little bit and there’s kids who I let do their thing because I know they’ll snap out of it.”
“When I played travel ball I didn’t like the yelling and aggressiveness (from coaches), but (Wilson coaches) are very calm and relaxed,” Watts said. “They understand us and they talk to us like people instead of just yelling. They also work with us individually. It’s fun and it’s a good atmosphere at practice every day.”
Molina has put a premium on avoiding the big innings on defense and also getting timely hitting against top teams Millikan, Poly and Lakewood.
Leading the offense with be All-League center fielder Charlotte White. The junior has been a major contributor for three years, and will be joined in the outfield by junior Tatum Yates in left and senior Mya Lao in right. They are both three-year players.
Sophomore shortstop Sacha Zalamea had a fantastic freshman year and will hit second behind White. Zalamea received a major national honor last week, as she was named one of the Top Performers from USA Softball’s U16 National Team Selection Event. Zalamea not only started for the Bruins last year as a freshman, she was one of the best players in the city, earning first-team All-Moore League honors.
Watts will bat third and co-captain Stump will bat clean up and play second base as the vocal leader.
Freshman Giselle Joaquin is an exciting newcomer at third base where Molina really likes her defensive prowess, and Alesa Barrera will be at first base while being key in the heart of the lineup.
With all of these seniors in the lineup there is a sense of urgency for the Bruins and especially for Watts, who plans to hang up her gear at the end of the season and go to college without continuing her athletic career.
“It’s been long years of softball, and I love the sport, but I’m done with it,” she said. “So it’s my last year and I want to go out there and play as hard as I can, and play like I was a little kid and just ball out.”
Wilson has key non-league games against Mayfair, North Torrance, Redondo and St. Anthony.
Starting Lineup
P – Leila Uribe / Alexsa Barrera
C – Tallulah Watts
1B – Alexsa Barrera
2B – Hannah Stump
3B – Giselle Joaquin
SS – Sacha Zalamea
OF – Charlotte White
OF – Tatum Yates
OF — Miya Lao
