The Wilson Bruins capped a historic year of Moore League softball by winning their first outright title since 2012 after a 3-2 victory at Millikan on Tuesday in the regular season finale.
High School Softball: Long Beach Wilson vs. Millikan
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“There was a sense of relief,” Wilson senior captain Joey Vega said. “But I had a good feeling coming into the game.”
Vega, who is struggling with a knee injury, gritted her teeth and pitched her sixth complete game in league play. She gave up six hits, struck out three and stranded seven runners on base. Vega induced 12 pop outs including that final out with the game-tying run on third base.
“I tried to ignore it,” Vega said of the pain in her knee. “When I felt the pain I just pushed through it because I know my team needed me.”
Wilson (15-15, 11-1) scored twice in the third inning thanks to Millikan miscues. Freshman Hailey Houston reached on an error, and scored on an error. Vega also scored on Katelyn Howard’s sacrifice fly.
The Bruins added to their lead with two outs in the fourth when freshman Ava Trachta hit a double and junior Griselda Jimenez drove her home with a clean single.
Millikan (18-11, 9-3) scored both of its runs on Maya De Sota’s home run in the bottom of the fourth. The Rams would put the tying run on third base in the last two innings.
“What can you say, that’s Joey,” said Wilson first-year head coach George Molina, who dedicated the season to his late grandmother Virginia Erdman.
“It’s been a tough year, but hopefully it’s all prepared us for the playoffs.”
The CIF Southern Section brackets will be released on Monday. Wilson and Millikan are in Division 3.
