The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The word of the day for Long Beach Poly softball was “redemption.”
Not only for the team, looking to split the season series after a loss to Lakewood earlier this year, but also for senior pitcher Star Sepulveda, who struggled in her season debut against the Lancers–who also happen to be her former team.
Thanks to a much better start from Sepulveda, and an explosive offensive performance that put up five runs in the fourth inning, the Jackrabbits got their getback against Lakewood, winning 8-4 on Tuesday night as they look to get hot for the playoffs.
“We’re excited. We want to keep the momentum going obviously, this is what we worked so hard all season for is the postseason,” said Poly head coach Elizabeth Sanches. “The past couple games we’ve been playing tight, I don’t know if it was nerves or what … But we had a conversation before our games Saturday and we did great. We were loose, we were having a great time, there were smiles, no nerves, and I told them, you’ve got to bring this on Tuesday, because Lakewood is no joke … But as far as what momentum we’re taking into the playoffs, we feel good right now. We’re excited.”
The Jackrabbits were relentless at the plate, putting a runner on base in every inning, and scoring at least once in innings 2-5. The big rally came in the fourth, when Poly scored five times, all with two outs.
Leadoff hitter Persjia Lam Sam had a pair of hits, including a two-run triple in that fourth inning rally. She also stole a base and scored twice, filling her role beautifully as the leadoff hitter. She also spearheaded a solid defensive performance for the Jackrabbits, making a terrific catch in centerfield while crashing into the outfield fence.
“Being in the leadoff spot, I know that I’m basically setting the tone for the game, so I have to find a way to get on base,” said Lam Sam. “I know both of my cousins behind me–Ki’ele (Ho-Ching) and Emoni (Lam Sam)–they’re great hitters, and they can bring me in at any time. So getting on base and setting the tone is important.”
Both Emoni Lam Sam and Ho-Ching delivered RBIs following up Persjia’s triple, with Ho-Ching drilling a two-run home run to the opposite field. That gave the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead at the midway point of the game, which was very different from the first meeting against Lakewood.
In that prior matchup, the Lancers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning, on their way to a 9-5 win on April 3. That was Sepulveda’s first start of the season after her transfer sit-out period, and in the regular season finale she was much sharper, holding Lakewood off the scoreboard for the first five innings and pitching a complete game to earn the win for Poly.
“Starting with the bats, I’m so happy they came out today. That’s really Long Beach Poly softball, those big, big bats, that’s what you always hear about, and that’s what we expect,” said Sepulveda of the run support. “The first time playing (Lakewood) was my first game back after sitting out, but this time, I knew (my teammates) had my back. We’ve been playing and we’ve been having this sister bonding. You know, it’s hard when people are sitting out and then you have to blend them in and find a new sisterhood. But honestly I’m really proud of everybody.”
Sanches said she followed her gut in deciding to give Sepulveda another shot at her old teammates, and she was proud of the result from her senior pitcher.
“She’s a human and she deserves an opportunity at redemption,” Sanches said of Sepulveda. “After everything she sacrificed to come to our school, the sit out period during her senior year. It’s not about wins and losses with me. It’s about 20 years from now, how is she going to feel about herself? Is she going to look back and think, ‘I was given another opportunity to redeem myself’ Or is she going to look back and be like, ‘Wow, my coach is kind of a jerk. I didn’t get that opportunity at redemption,’ and she’s gonna have to live with that.”
Lakewood was able to mount a late rally, as the first four batters reached in the sixth inning and all came around to score. After a leadoff double by Izzy Rueda and a single by Bella Polanco, Katelynn Lewis delivered an RBI single to make it an 8-2 game. Then Jaylene Echeverria stepped up and smacked a two-run home run to deep left center, cutting Poly’s lead in half down to 8-4.
Lewis doubled to put two Lancers on in the seventh, but Sepulveda was able to battle through and get the final out, sending the Jackrabbits to the playoffs on a high note.
Poly opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI single from Isabella Cisneros, scoring Bailey Holder. That lead doubled in the third when Kween Tauala singled home Persja Lam Sam.
Alayna Veavealagi brought in the final run for the Jackrabbits in the top of the fifth inning when she smacked a solo home run to left center field.
CIF-SS brackets will be released on Monday, May 12, when both Lakewood and Poly will find out their playoff divisions and draws.
