Headed into spring break, it’s still the Lancers (4-0), and Bruins (5-1), then everyone else. The young Jackrabbits (3-2) have been close to the leaders, while the Jaguars (3-3) and Rams (3-2) may have an upset in them, but right now it looks like a two horse race. Here is some action from yesterday’s games and this week’s tournament play…
Lancers Beat ‘Rabbits
It was another pitchers duel in Moore League softball on Thursday afternoon at Lakewood between Lancer starter Justine Avalos and Poly starter Ashley Betance-Kearn. The young Jackrabbits came in nipping at the Lancer heels in the standings, and took a lead into the sixth inning, but junior Eliza Crawford’s three-run home run broke the tie and gave Lakewood the 4-1 victory.
Avalos gave up a leadoff home run to Poly centerfielder Priscilla Pino in the third inning, but that was the only hit for the Jackrabbits. The Lakewood senior went seven strong, giving up one hit, one run, and striking out three.
“She’s so chill out there,” said Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes, whose team is still undefeated in Moore League play. “She doesn’t let anything get to her… not getting too up or too down, she’s out there just playing.”
That experience and composure was on display after Pino’s home run as Avalos took down the next nine Jackrabbits down in order, not letting a ball out of the infield for the rest of the game.
On the other side, Betance-Kearn was pitching just as well through the first five innings. The sophomore used her curveball and off-speed pitches to pound the outside and keep the Lancers off balance. In the first five frames, Betance-Kearn spread out three hits while striking out four, and only allowed one other ball to leave the infield.
The two stellar arms mowed the opponent down in order in the fourth and fifth inning, but the Lancers were the first ones to make the necessary adjustment.
“(Betance-Kearn) is very effective,” said Miramontes. “We couldn’t get to that curve because we’re not used to it… but the third time through we knew she wasn’t going to beat us inside.” So, Lakewood moved onto the plate and up in the box as a team. Almost immediately, the tailing curve from Betance-Kearn became reachable.
Poly had gained momentum from Pino’s home run, and a great play from freshman catcher Cozette Clarke-Lopez in the fifth. On a sac bunt attempt, the foul tip didn’t get higher than her letters, but Clarke- Lopez reacted quickly and snagged the ball inches from the ground. She stayed on her feet and gunned the runner at first for the double play.
“They had the momentum,” said Miramontes. “And in softball that momentum can come up and bite you, and it almost bit us.”
While Avalos continued to sit them down, and still down 1-0, Lakewood’s new strategy to crowd the plate worked to perfection in the bottom of the sixth. Adriana Valdez led the inning off with a walk and then stole second on the first pitch to Avalos, who followed it up with a bunt single. With runners on the corners, Amanda Robinson reached out on a breaking ball and ripped it down the line. Poly third baseman Shanaira Austin went to her knees to keep the ball in the infield, but couldn’t get the ball quick enough to make the throw. So with the bases loaded, the first pitch to Crawford got past Clarke-Lopez and the runners all moved up to make it 1-1.
“I could feel it,” said Crawford after the game. “ I knew I was going to get a big hit. I’m used to that. I’ve been hitting in the three-spot since freshman year.”
The lefty hitting shortstop stayed back on the next pitch, and the Betance-Kearn breaking ball (which was so effective going away from the right-handed hitters) stayed up for her. Crawford sent a shot over the right fielders head for the game-winning three-run homer.
Asked if she could have hit it any harder, Crawford chuckled, “No, I don’t think so.”
Lakewood stays atop the Moore League while Poly drops its second game in as many weeks to one of the two best teams in the league.
“We know we can compete,” said Poly coach Ken Munger, who starts five underclassman when Betance-Kearn is in the circle. “We can win these tight ball games, we just have to learn how to finish.”
Wilson Takes Care Of Compton
Also today, the Bruins beat the Compton Tarbabes in five innings, 10-0. Hannah Duarte pitched a no-hitter and struck out ten. Salena Tellez hit a three-run home run and Hailey Sarne had a double, two singles and an RBI, while Justine Rentfrow had three singles and an RBI.
Carew Update
The two best teams in the Moore League were in action this week in the Carew Tournament, and after two big first round wins, both Lakewood and Wilson fell in the second round. The Lancers shutout Cajon, 11-0, only to fall in the nightcap. The Bruins had 18 hits in their opener as Linzy Rother threw a complete game while getting four hits and four RBI in a 10-3 win over Cypress. Wilson had to play the defending champion El Camino, and had the game winning runs on base, but a questionable fair/foul call ended the game 3-2. Both teams will be in tournament action again on Friday.