Almost a year ago today, the Millikan baseball team was 2-6. But pitchers Josh Frye and Andrew Culver opened league play by blanking Poly and Wilson, respectively, and the Rams didn’t look back on their way to what is believed to be an all-time league best 43-inning scoreless streak. They finished the regular season 20-10 and 11-1 in the Moore League to take their first league title since 2001 before losing in the CIF quarterfinals to Riverside Poly.
This year, it’s half way to déjà vu all over again. The Rams are 2-5 after some tough extra innings losses, and again they’ll be looking to the mound for leadership and a spark.
Culver graduated and Frye is returning as the Moore League MVP. He’s looked just as good early this season after signing a letter of intent to attend Long Beach State next year. So far he’s pitched 12.1 innings and has posted a 1.70 ERA with 12 strikeouts and just three walks. Frye works his fastball, slider, curve and changeup for strikes. According to head coach Scott Glasser, he’s more “refined” and has been setting up hitters more efficiently.
“We’ll go where Josh takes us,” says Glasser. “We’ve been in a lot of games because of the pitching… we’ve got enough ability but we need to come together and buy into roles, just like the team did last year. Last year they learned what they needed to do. I think this team can do the same, but we need to stay healthy.”
The Team
Matt Clampitt is a perfect example as to what this Millikan team can accomplish. Playing third base, shortstop, outfield and pitching, the senior is hitting .368 and has only given up 15 hits over 15+ innings. But two weeks ago while trying to turn a double play he rolled his ankle. He missed two games, and the Rams lost them both.
“We need to avoid the big innings,” says Glasser of his pitching staff. But he’s also talking about his defense. Last year the Rams were the best defensive team in the league, but twice this year in extra innings the defense has faltered. “We can’t give away free bases because our pitching can keep us competitive, but we can’t beat ourselves.”
In the outfield and in the heart of the order is senior leader Paul Slater. The football and basketball player has struggled in the early part of this year, but his energy and personality has lifted the club, according to Glasser. He will also play the infield when Clampitt pitches.
Filling in some big shoes at first base is a big boy in his own right. Last years first baseman Jon Singleton was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies last summer and now 6’2” sophomore Jordan Ybarra will have time to mature on the field. He already has two home runs and the coaching staff thinks he has one of the better pure swings on the team.
Up the middle the Rams are talented but inexperienced with junior Avery Flores at second base and junior Jackson Woodbury at shortstop. Both first-year starters, Flores is the only player from the 2008 PONY World Championship team at Millikan, and Glasser expects a lot from both of these young players.
Behind the plate seniors Adam Annella and Joshua Valdovins are splitting time because they can play multiple positions, and with squad that’s a good thing. As Glasser said, a healthy Millikan squad is capable of anything. Don’t believe him? Ask the 2009 team.
Click here to see where Lakewood stands in the 2010 Moore League Coaches’ Poll, and click here for the full 2010 Moore League schedule.