Moore League champion Wilson and Lakewood were both eliminated from the second round of the CIF Southern Section softball playoffs on Tuesday.
Lakewood 0, Buena 6
The Lancers (19-14) faced the tall task of going against the Division 2 No. 1 seed Buena, who entered the contest on a 17-game win streak. Lakewood kept the game close, but a four-run sixth inning by Buena (25-5) was too much for the Lancers.
“That team was a better team today.,” Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes said. “They just outplayed us. They had some great pitching and timely hitting.”
Buena senior pitcher Jenessa Ullegue was outstanding as she allowed only one hit over seven innings and struck out 12.
“She got ahead of the count and just worked away,” Miramontes said. “The thing we didn’t do was jump on the first pitch. We took a pitch and then she started dealing.”
Buena had runners on first and second with one out in the top of the first but Lakewood sophomore pitcher Cassie Perryman got out of the jam unscathed. Perryman allowed a lead-off double in the top of the second but again buckled down and kept the game scoreless.
In the top of the third, Bulldogs sophomore Rylee McDaniel hit a solo home run to center field to give her team the lead. She would add another solo home run in the sixth and senior Kiara Delgado hit a three-run shot to extend the lead to six.
Lakewood’s only hit of the game was by Karina Ibarra in the bottom of the third. The Lancers didn’t have a single runner reach second base all game.
“We are a young team,” Miramontes said. “I just want them to start believing and use this as a learning experience and hey lets get back to where Lakewood softball was.”
Story & Video By Julian Lopez
Wilson 1, Atascadero 5
The Bruins (16-16) won their first playoff game since 2011 last week in walk-off fashion, but had their historic season ended on the road in Division 3. Wilson won the Moore League for the first time since 2012.
In the win over Irvine in the first round last Thursday, Wilson was down to the last inning of its season, facing a 2-0 deficit at Joe Rodgers Stadium. The Bruins came back to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh for a 3-2 win.
“That’s how it’s been all year with this team,” said Bruins coach George Molina. “They support each other—if it’s not one person it’s another.”
The Bruins got a heroic effort on the mound from senior pitcher Joey Vega, who was battling through a leg injury.
The bottom of the seventh started with a singe from sophomore Sinclair Lawhorn, and then Amanda Castro reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Freshman Ava Trachta’s single to centerfield scored Ashley Pottenger, pinch running for Lawhorn. That brought the Bruins within one run with two on and just one out.
Junior Griselda Jimenez’s RBI single scored Castro to tie the game, and then freshman Hailey Houston was walked to load the bases with just one out. Of all players, it was Vega coming to the plate.
With just one out, Vega’s options were plenty—and she hit a hard fly ball to left field. The Irvine left fielder caught it, and Trachta took off towards home, sliding in safe and setting off a huge celebration for the Bruins.
