The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Lakewood senior Tanner Miramontes knew he had to step up after dealing with some struggles heading into his at bat with the Lancers tied with Wilson at the top of the seventh inning.
So when the moment arrived – Miramontes was ready as he smacked a shot to right field that fell and bounced off the right field wall allowing Noah Nunez score and give Lakewood a 3-2 lead. That score held as the Lancers picked up a big win to shake things up in the Moore League Friday afternoon.
“I was kind of down,” Miramontes said after being subbed out before his second at bat. “But I knew I just had to get the job done in the late innings. I was just trying to get Noah over, but hit a wall ball, so it feels great.”
The win creates a log-jam at the top of the Moore League with the top four teams all sitting with one loss setting up must-win games the rest of the way for teams to try and be league champs.
“We almost gave it away like we did to Poly,” O’Neil said. “We had too many errors, but the resilience from them was awesome. Maybe we’ve turned the corner.”
After pitching a complete game in his last contest against Poly, junior Cooper George started a bit out of rhythm as he walked two in the top half of the first. However, George got out of the inning to strand two Lancers.
Nico Thiem followed that up with a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first and eventually reached third base, but Xavier Nunez got out of the inning unscathed as the two teams remained scoreless after one.
Lakewood’s Nate Gallegos got the Lancers going in the top of the third with a single to right field with one out. After Gallegos stole second based, Anthony Rueda hit a RBI single to right field push a run across as the Lancers took a 1-0 lead.
Joel Melena made it 2-0 with his own RBI single as Lakewood took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
Wilson answered t in the bottom of the third when Cade Miller made it two second a shot to right field but the outfielders nearly collided missing the catch to put him in scoring position. Miller advanced to third on a passed ball and eventually scored after Jake Marshall hit a grounded out.
After a scoreless fourth inning and with the bases loaded, Lakewood brought in Lathan Rivas to face Eddie Becker with the based loaded. The senior stayed patient at the plate and earned a RBI walk to tie the game.
Both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning and the Lancers went to work at the top of the seventh. Noah Nunez led off with a bunt single and after Nick Gallegos advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt, Miramontes came up and delivered the game-winning hit.
Looking to tie the game, Wilson went down in order as the offense was only able to string together two hits.
“You get two hits, and it’s tough to give any pitcher the support they need to win the game,” Wilson coach Andy Hall said. “You know, I mean, getting doubled off or off the bases twice. Certainly killed a couple of rallies that we had going. You know, if we score that run, I think, in the fifth or sixth inning there, and it’s three to two. It’s a different momentum, you know, but they stole the momentum early by scoring early, and we just didn’t respond at all.”
Before the game, Wilson and coach Hall took a moment to recognize Lakewood’s O’Neil who will be retiring after the season and is someone he’ll miss.
“He’s been such a stalwart in our community for so long as far as baseball is concerned,” Hall said. “I think he realizes it’s time to go and he’s gonna go, but I’m sad, I’m really sad.”
Wilson assistant coach Marc Prager also said it was bittersweet having O’Neil retire after playing and coaching against him over the years.
“I’ve been involved in the Moore League since 1984,” Prager said. “That’s how long I’ve known coach. He’s a legend in our area, in our league, in the sport of high school baseball.”
All the attention isn’t something O’Neil enjoys, but he acknowledged Wilson and appreciates Hall and his teams.
“They’ve done this the last few years,” O’Neil said. “Andy’s a great friend.”
Wilson will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Sonora, while Lakewood will be at MLB Youth Academy to take on Jordan on Tuesday.
