The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
Wilson ace Cooper George wanted to put his stamp on the Moore League season from the jump, and the junior TCU commit did just that on Friday night at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. Facing Millikan, the team that shared the Moore League title with the Bruins last year, George pitched an absolute gem. He used up all 110 pitches available to him going 6.1 shutout innings, scattering five hits and striking out ten. Agi Chandler came in to get the last two outs for the Bruins as they stayed unbeaten in the Moore League with a 1-0 victory over the Rams.
“He’s just tough,” said longtime Wilson coach Andy Hall of his ace. “He’s a tough guy to get the ball away from, especially when he’s feeling good. He’s a competitor.”
The Bruins were able to overcome a stellar night from Rams ace Daunte Bell, who was efficient as he got through the game in 67 pitches, including 50 strikes. Bell yielded just two hits, in the first inning of the game, and struck out seven. Those two hits ended up being the difference in the always razor-thin margins of a Moore League baseball game at Blair.
Wilson was ready to jump on Bell early, as Nico Thiem singled to lead off the bottom of the first; James Mirabile yanked a double down the line that sent Thiem flying around the bases, scoring from first to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead.
“I was able to use my speed to get on base and then I was already running when he hit the ball right down the line,” said Thiem. “I already had momentum, and I was gonna score.”
The Rams had their chances, including back-to-back singles in the first from Shane Walley and Adrian Ramirez. But every time Millikan would threaten, George would bow his neck and get a big out, including a strikeout to end that first inning.
George stranded eight Millikan runners in the first five innings, as his pitch count ticked up, but he continued to put donuts up on the scoreboard at Blair.
“Quite honestly I’m standing over there counting pitches,” said Hall. “It’s important–one of the things that Cooper isn’t great at yet is getting early contact…I was worried about the pitch count getting up.”
The Bruins made a couple other big plays behind George, none bigger than in the fourth inning. Bell reached on a dropped third, then moved into scoring position after Marco Marchionni drew a walk. Xavier Kennard hit one up the middle, and Thiem dove to snag the ball, but couldn’t beat Machionni to second base for the out. Just in time, he saw that Bell had been waved home and gunned it to Wilson catcher Cade Miller, who was able to tag Bell out at the plate to keep the Rams scoreless.
“I’m proud of my guys,” said Hall. “They wanted this one–they’ve been talking about it all week, and we gritted it out just enough to get it done.”
On the whole, the game was another classic pitcher’s duel in the Moore League between a pair of Division 1-bound athletes, playing on a field that’s hosted so many greats and future MLBers over the last 70 years. George and Bell combined to pitch 12.1 innings, allowing seven hits (only one for extra bases), striking out 17 and walking just three.
The Bruins did need to turn to another arm to get the last two outs after the seventh inning started with a leadoff single by Ethan Barrientos up the middle. Kennard bunted him over, putting the tying run in scoring position with one out, and George at 110 pitches.
Hall said he had a few options as far as who to turn to in the bullpen, but like Agi Chandler for the lefty/lefty matchups on the next batters. Sure enough, Chandler got a strikeout and a flyout to left to end the game, and bring the Bruins celebrating out onto the field together.
“I had to remind our guys that it’s a big win and a step in the right direction for us, but we haven’t won anything yet,” said Hall. “We have a really tough, gritty Lakewood and Jordan team to play next week. It’s going to be busy–we’re happy to have this one.”
Wilson (9-4, 3-0) will face Moreno Valley at Angel Stadium on Monday, then travel to Jordan Wednesday and host Lakewood Friday. Millikan (6-5, 2-1) will host Arlington back at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field Monday evening then host Poly on campus on Friday at 4pm.
