The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
The current run of success for Millikan Softball isn’t just the greatest stretch in program history, it’s becoming the best in Moore League history, too.
Over the nearly 50 years of high school softball in Long Beach, no team has won six outright league titles in a row, but that’s exactly what the Rams are chasing this spring.
During that stretch from the 2021 season until now, Millikan has amassed an impressive 57-3 record against Moore League opponents, they made a CIF Division 2 title game appearance in 2022, and they’re carrying a 29-game league winning streak into the 2026 season.
That run of dominance for Millikan has been buoyed by standout performers in the circle; college recruits Victoria Byrum, Ava Schaffell and Lauren Cantwell. The Rams enter 2026 without a clear-cut ace in the pitching staff, but with three capable pitchers and an offense that’s talented, deep, and experienced.
“I’m not as confident pitching-wise this year, because I don’t know if we’re going to have that dominating pitching that we’ve had,” said Millikan head coach Michelle Lehr, entering her fifth season with the Rams. “But I feel like we’re stacked offensively, so we should score a lot of runs.”
Lehr said she won’t have enough lineup spots for all the big bats she wants to get in the lineup, meaning she’ll have some firepower coming off the bench as a pinch hitter every game. Also, expect some fluidity in the Rams’ defensive alignment based on who’s pitching.
Leading up to the season, senior Riley McAndrew has been performing the best in the circle, after spending the past two seasons as the starter at second base. Her bat will be a fixture near the top of the order, whether she’s holding down second or toeing the rubber for the Rams. She drove in a team-best 21 runs in her junior season and led the squad with three triples.
McAndrew recently committed to George Washington University, continuing Millikan’s run of collegiate-bound starting pitchers, though she likely projects as a hitter at the next level.
Sophomore Jade Torres has a bright future in the circle and should see plenty of innings, along with junior Mia Meza.
At the corner infield spots, senior Addy Everett is a four-year starter for the Rams. She’ll provide some thump and be expected to drive in runs from the heart of the batting order. Everett hit .414 and was second on the team in runs scored (18) and RBIs (19) as a junior last season.
Also on the infield is junior Lauryn Kim, who’s ready for an expanded role this season. She’ll start at either second base or third base, and is expected to get a prime spot in the batting order. She’s a line-drive hitter who got some quality varsity experience as a 10th grader, and Lehr said she’s been impressed with her development at the plate this offseason.
“She’s like a violent hitter right now. She’s on fire,” said Lehr of Kim’s bat. “She’s a big threat, so I would say offensively, she’s the one that has grown the most, and defensively, she’s always been very strong.”
Back at shortstop is the capable glove of Julia “JuJu” Dizon, who started full-time as a sophomore in that spot.
Senior Peyton Dobrovolny will be another heart-of-the-order bat who could see time at a number of spots depending on who’s pitching. She’ll get playing time at first base, in left field, and as the designated player to keep her bat in the lineup.
There’s scholarship level talent and experience in the outfield for the Rams, with Weber State signee Hailey Fematt back as a strong defender in center.
Kayla Cisneros is an experienced player in right who has a strong throwing arm. The Wagner University signee has taken hold of the leadoff spot early in the season. She was a .381 hitter as a junior and tied for the team lead with a pair of homers.
There’s a three-way position battle behind the plate, with sophomore Maya Hernandez getting the early edge thanks to her red-hot bat in the preseason. Though there’s certainly some flexibility in that spot with other capable candidates in Cassidy Kepler and Nikki Cheshire.
The Rams kicked off their 2026 season with a special trip out to Hawai’i, where they reached the semifinals of a preseason tournament which won’t count towards their record on the mainland.
When the season does get going, Millikan will have another challenging slate of non-league games, facing the likes of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Huntington Beach, Vista Murrieta, Redondo Union, Palos Verdes, and others.
Millikan opens Moore League play with an exciting home tilt against Long Beach Poly on Mar. 17.
Projected Starters:
C: Maya Hernandez (So.) / Cassidy Kepler (Jr.) / Nikki Cheshire (Sr.)
1B: Peyton Dobrovolny (Sr.) / Addy Everett (Sr.)
2B: Lauryn Kim (Jr.) / Riley McAndrew (Sr.)
SS: Julia Dizon (Jr.)
3B: Addy Everett (Sr.) / Lauryn Kim (Jr.)
LF: Mia Meza (Jr.) / Peyton Dobrovolny (Sr.)
CF: Hailey Fematt (Sr.)
RF: Kayla Cisneros (Sr.)
DP: Cassidy Kepler (Jr.) / Peyton Dobrovolny (Sr.) / Lexy Everett (Sr.)
P: Riley McAndrew (Sr.) / Jade Torres (So.) / Mia Meza (Jr.) / Makenzee Romero (Sr.)
