The Lakewood softball team is trying to win a sixth consecutive Moore League championship this season, and the Lancers started their title defense with an 8-1 win over Long Beach Poly on Thursday at Joe Rodgers Stadium.
High School Softball: Lakewood vs. Long Beach Poly
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“We’ve got some weapons,” Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes said. “And if we can put it all together we’ll be tough to beat.”
Lakewood (5-3, 1-0) took a lead in the second inning, and broke the game open in the fifth inning thanks to left fielder Cassie Camou. The sophomore hit a two-run home run to the fence in the second inning, and battled through a 12-pitch at bat against Poly starter Julia Solano to deliver a two-out, two-run RBI triple in the fifth. McKenzie Hutchinson and Delaney Russell had the other RBIs.
It is Lakewood’s 63rd consecutive league win, and the Lancers have won 10 of the last 11 league titles. During that stretch, they have four quarterfinals appearances, two semifinals and one finals in 2013. However, last year a young Lakewood squad lost in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
“This year we have a little more power, and our defense is a little more solid,” Miramontes said.
Lakewood starter Cassie Perryman gave up two hits and a run in five innings. The sophomore struck out nine of the 18 batters she faced, and threw a first-pitch strike to nine of the first 11 batters faced.
“I’ve been preaching getting ahead and she’s been pitching well when she stays focused,” Miramontes said of Perryman.
Kaiya Yonamine pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Lakewood. Alyssa Torres came off the beach to hit a double, a triple and score two runs.
Poly (1-4, 0-1) scored in the fourth inning when senior shortstop Evelyn Sablan led off with a triple to right center field. Junior Madison Demos drove her in with a bloop single to center. Karina Ibarra, Emily Martin and Hutchinson turned a double play to quell the rally for Lakewood.
Poly first-year coach Elizabeth Sanches-Martin said Sablan and Demos are her most important offensive weapons this season.
“It’s not all on them, but they’re our go-to girls,” Sanches-Martin said. “They’re our most consistent, powerful, experienced and intelligent batters. I’m just trying to figure out where to put them in the lineup.”
Solano pitched the complete game in her first varsity league start. The senior gave up 11 hits and six earned runs. The Lancers scored twice in the sixth inning thanks to Jackrabbit errors.
Lakewood plays Millikan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Lisa Fernandez Field. The Rams haven’t beaten the Lancers since 2011.
