The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s high school softball coverage for the 2023 season is sponsored by Long Beach City Councilwoman Megan Kerr.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The Lancers feel like they left a lot on the table last season.
With the vast majority of its lineup returning from last season, this Lakewood team knows what it’s like to come up short. A few untimely errors in key games kept the Lancers from retaking the Moore League championship for the first time since 2019.
“I think we all feel like we fell a little short,” Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes said. “Once again we need to have some grit and be scrappy. It’s going to come down to the little things like one play, one pitch and one hit. We’ve got to be clean all the way through.”
The most important player to an improved defense will be ace pitcher Laci Berecochea, and she’s also one of the best bats in the lineup. Berecochea stepped into the circle for Lakewood due to team need, but now she enjoys taking the ball for the big games.
“I like helping my team out, I used to pitch a lot so it’s nice to still do it, and I really have fun kind of being in control,” Berecochea said. “One of my main improvements has been stamina and being able to throw a lot more games. Taking care of my arm helped too. Being able to dial in on pitches, especially closer to the season, has helped a lot.”
Berecochea is a fierce competitor who was also a starter for the Lakewood girls’ basketball team, so she had to split her practice time over the last few months and worked hard individually in order to not fall behind. Whenever she gets tired, Berecochea just thinks about the moments that kept her team from their goals last season.
“We’re still a little upset about how things ended up, but we’re still close chemistry wise and we get along, and I think that’s really important for us,” she said. “I think we more beat ourselves than anything. One mistake led to another and we’ve got to try and limit them.”
Senior Julia Miramontes is back for her fourth year at the Varsity level and will play both shortstop and second base this year while her coach and dad tries to find spots for hot bats. Sophomore Khalea Pahulu will play the other middle infield spot after getting some quality playing time in the outfield last season.
Lakewood will be solid and experienced up the middle with junior catcher Cat Calzada and senior center fielder Madeleine Nisperos-Mendoza back in the heart of the lineup. Calzada had a few clutch hits as a sophomore, including the game-winner against Millikan.
Another big bat returning from last year is sophomore Kaleyse Foster, who will share time at first base with senior Isabell Casanova. Both of them can also play other positions.
Madylyn Bermio Wynia is also back for her junior year in the outfield, and sophomore Izzy Rueda is ready to break out in left field. Sophomore Estrella “Star” Tapia will also be in the mix as a utility player and No. 2 pitcher.
“I’ve said it before, but “ think we have a great team chemistry and this is one of the best groups I’ve had,” Miramontes said. “They’ve been playing together for a long time, they’re friends outside of softball and they want to play for each other this year. We’ve kept a fun and competitive culture and it’s working.”
Lakewood hasn’t won a playoff game since 2019.
Projected Starting Lineup:
P – Laci Berecochea
C – Cat Calzada
1B – Kaleyse Foster
2B – Khalea Pahulu
SS – Julia Miramontes
3B – Belle Casanova
OF – Estrella “Star” Tapia
OF – Madylyn Bermio Wynia
OF – Izzy Rueda
OF – Madeleine Nisperos-Mendoza
