The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
The rain clouds over the Southland never relented on Tuesday. And neither did Lakewood High School.
The Lancers led wire-to-wire in a convincing 8-1 victory over Jordan High at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in a crucial, rainy Moore League battle.
Lakewood (6-10, 4-1) got six scoreless innings on defense with a fast start on offense with five runs across the first two innings. These back-to-back league wins for the Lancers over Wilson and now Jordan has the team on their best stretch of the season after a rough beginning–and in a four-way tie for first place.
“That’s big for us,” said Lakewood head coach Spud O’Neil of the fast start. “We can settle down and play our game. We’ve had some tight ones. We lost to Poly and we should’ve beat ‘em. But since then we’ve been playing great ball.”
The Lancers ambushed Jordan starting pitcher Julian Lopez in the first with a single followed by a powerful double from Anthony Rueda (2-for-4, two runs). Sophomore third baseman Joel Melena wasted little time a batter later with a two-RBI double on his first pitch of the game.
“I saw a first-pitch fastball,” he said with a smile. “It felt good off the bat.”
Junior DH Jason Wynia brought Melena home with a deep triple to make it 3-0 early. Lakewood scratched out two more runs in the second inning thanks to an RBI sac from Nate Godoy and an errant throw to first.
The Panthers settled down after the opening frames and managed to hold the Lancer scoreless for two innings behind relief pitcher Jacob Macias. But the offense couldn’t offer support with four runners left on base on just three hits.
Jordan’s best chance for momentum came in the bottom of the third with two runners on first and second with two outs. Lopez mashed a deep powerful shot that became a diving catch for senior center fielder Tanner Miramontes to preserve the early shutout.
“He can flat out play centerfield,” said O’Neil with relief. “He’s flat out saved us so many times. Our outfield is really, really good. We have four guys that can play.”
Lakewood added two more runs in the fifth, both scores on wild pitches with runners on third. Wynia put in his second RBI and the final Lakewood run in the seventh on a sac fly to right field.
Melena finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a stolen base. Lakewood relief pitcher Lathan Rivas pitched three scoreless innings with three strikeouts, three hits and a walk.
The Panthers would not go quietly and ended the shutout in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jordan opened with a walk and a single, both runners moving into scoring position on a passed ball. Senior Sam Dixon unleashed a sacrifice fly center to bring in the lone Panther run.
Adrian Lara led Jordan with two hits and a steal on the afternoon.
No one knows how the season will end for Lakewood’s legendary coach O’Neil, who will retire when the final out of 2026 is recorded. But the Lancers have shaken off the rough start to be right in the mix for the Moore League crown, a familiar spot for the old ball coach.
“Bad start but it’s not how you start, it’s how you end,” said Melena. “We’re doing good right now and hopefully we keep doing our job.”
“We’re starting to buy [in],” said O’Neil. “It’s the Moore League season now. You can’t make mistakes. We’ve been working hard and buying into our system.”
