The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Lakewood Lancers’ offense wasted little time in Wednesday’s clash with Wilson, busting out with seven runs in the top of the first on their way to a comfortable 12-2 victory at Joe Rodgers Field.
The heart of the Lakewood order led the way, as seniors Katelynn Lewis and Jamie Ramirez each had 4-hit games to spark the Lancers early and often.
“We had some good timely hitting,” said Lakewood head coach Andy Miramontes of his team’s performance. “We put up seven, that gave us a lead and a little comfort, but we still didn’t do what we’re supposed to do. We could have scored a few more times, and the girls kind of get flat. And that’s what something we’re working on, is a try to put somebody away … Good ball players will smell blood in the water and go for that and then move forward. But that’s what we need to work on, kind of getting the little killer instinct.”
Ramirez opened the scoring with a two-run single in the first, and added a double in her next at-bat. The senior third baseman ended the day with four RBIs to pace her team’s run production out of the cleanup spot.
“I just came in really confident, and I just woke up feeling so good today,” said Ramirez. “I was telling my girls, today’s gonna be really good. I was just trying to radiate the energy, trying to be loud, get my girls to be loud. And I think that helped me, I was pumping myself up.”
Lewis didn’t drive in any runs while hitting in front of Ramirez, but set the table well with two triples, a double, and a single, scoring twice for the Lancers.
“The mindset is always on-over-in, on-over-in. We were really trying to pound them hard,” said Lewis of her team’s offensive approach. “Especially with the losses against Millikan and Poly, we really needed this one. So I think everyone like flipped the switch or something, because we were all hitting it hard, man. That was good. It was a really good game.”
As a team, the Lancers had 14 hits, worked four walks, and had two batters hit by a pitch. In addition to the seven-run outburst in the first, the Lancers also tacked on a four-spot in the fourth, which started with a Lewis triple and a Ramirez RBI single.
Leadoff hitter Bella Polanco had a pair of hits as did No. 2 hitter Jaszee Childress, who collected two hits during that first inning, capping the rally with a 2-RBI single. The top four of Lakewood’s batting order went a combined 12/19 (.632) with five runs scored and six RBIs on the day. Mia Gastelum and Elise De La Torre also scored twice each for the Lancers.
Polanco started in the circle and pitched a complete game for Lakewood, scattering six hits and six walks while striking out six Bruins. She allowed runs in the first and third innings before shutting the door for the final four frames.
Wilson’s Charlotte White and Sacha Zalamea did the damage for Wilson, as Zalamea doubled home her co-captain after White started the day with an opposite field single. White scored Wilson’s other run in the third on an RBI single from Madeline Bowser.
Both teams will get some time away from the diamond for Spring Break before getting into the second half of Moore League play. Wilson is scheduled to play Jordan on April 14 in their next league game while Lakewood plays Poly that same day at El Dorado Park.
