The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
Redemption was up for grabs for the Long Beach Poly baseball team.
Monday, the Jackrabbits faced the Valley Christian Defenders, and it was a chance for them to take back last year’s 1-0 loss against the Defenders.
However, Poly was able to redeem themselves Monday with an impressive 7-1 win over the Defenders at Valley Christian’s home field. Consistent pitching and strong offense were what truly set the Jackrabbits up for success.
Taking the mound for Poly was junior Malakai Pruitt, who remained on the mound for the entire seven innings of the game. Pruitt allowed only four hits, two of which occurred in the final inning. Striking out five and walking none, Pruitt threw a solid game, notably pitching the first complete game of Poly’s season.
“His performance was amazing. I wanted a pitcher that was gonna go deep into the game, and Malakai has been excellent, really, since he came onto varsity,” coach Solomon Williams said.
Backing up Pruitt on the field was shortstop and UCLA commit Tate Hammond, who took control of the infield and secured key outs for the Jackrabbits. Hammond, likewise, was crucial for Poly’s offensive performance, as he hit two singles and a double, a 3/4 performance with three RBIs.
In the top of the fourth inning, the bases were loaded, with a walk to Ayden Nakamura, a hit-by-pitch to Neil Morris, and a bunt single from AZ Zuger. With a 2-2 count, sophomore Evan Bagley flew out to center field, enabling Nakamura to tag up and reach home plate for another run for the Jackrabbits.
The Defenders’ solo run came in the bottom of the fourth inning, where Quintin Ekstrom tripled on a line drive to right field and was immediately brought in to score by a ground ball up the middle from Lucas Witt.
After one of his RBI hits, Hammond was able to score himself from Caleb Safotu’s line drive to center on the first pitch of his at-bat. Following this hit, Fausto Gaxiola III singled up the middle, to which Safotu tallied another run for Poly.
Safotu was behind the dish for the game, and he supported Pruitt greatly, including throwing out a runner at second.
“I trusted my catcher, Caleb Safotu. He’s calling the game, and I just trust him. That’s my guy,” Pruitt said.
The teamwork seen across the roster was prominent. Pruit also said, “Bats were woken up, pitching was great, and the defense was the best I’ve seen it.”
As the season starts along, the Jackrabbits are off to a 4-2 start and excited for the rest to come.
“I feel like we are on an upward trajectory. We couldn’t be more excited to get into Moore League,” said Williams.
Poly will be on the road again to play Cerritos on Thursday and Katella on Friday.
