LONG BEACH \u2014 After being taken out of the game after just one at-bat, Lakewood senior Tanner Miramontes said he felt his emotions go down.<\/p>\n
Then in the final inning of Lakewood\u2019s matchup against Wilson on Friday, Lancers head coach Spud O\u2019Neil put the center fielder back in the lineup. That move set up the winning RBI for the Lancers.<\/p>\n
With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh, senior Noah Nunez laid down a perfect bunt to reach base. With one out, Miramontes ripped a double to right-center field to drive in Nunez with the go-ahead run in a 3-2 victory for Lakewood in the Moore League.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing taken out at my second (at-bat) brought me down a little,\u201d Miramontes said. \u201cBut I just know how to do the job. It felt amazing, one of the best feelings ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was awesome,\u201d O\u2019Neil said of Miramontes\u2019 performance. \u201cHe\u2019s worked very hard on his hitting, and he\u2019s the best defensive guy in center field. I\u2019m happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilson came into the game unbeaten in Moore League play. Lakewood had lost just one game in league, a 2-1 walk-off loss to Long Beach Poly.<\/p>\n
The starting pitchers for both teams \u2014 Wilson\u2019s Cooper George and Lakewood\u2019s Xavier Nunez \u2014 didn\u2019t allow a hit until the third inning.<\/p>\n
Things go rolling in the third, as Lakewood score two runs on singles from Anthony Rueda and Joel Melena.<\/p>\n
The Bruins made it 2-1 when a run scored on a fielder\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n
Pinch runner Gabe Opp tied the game 2-2 in the fifth when Lakewood pitcher Lathan Rivas walked Eddie Becker with the bases loaded.<\/p>\n
Wilson\u2019s batters struggled in the last two innings against pitcher Jayden Pea, going 1 for 7.<\/p>\n
Their sole hit was by Cesar Castro in the sixth \u2014 a double \u2014 and he was left stranded on base.<\/p>\n
The Bruins finished the game with just two hits.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get two hits and it\u2019s tough to give any pitcher the support they need to win the game,\u201d Wilson head coach Andy Hall said. \u201cThey stole the momentum early by scoring early and we just didn\u2019t respond at all. We\u2019re going to have to wear this one down and figure out a way to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to first pitch, Hall presented O\u2019Neil \u2013 who is retiring after this season \u2013 with a written speech of recognition and a framed photo of the two coaches together.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, to see this be his last year it\u2019s bittersweet,\u201d Hall said of the Lakewood manager. \u201cHe\u2019s been such a stalwart in our community for so long. When I read my speech at lunch today, I almost came to tears reading it. You know, he\u2019s a good guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Wilson\u2019s loss and Long Beach Poly\u2019s loss to Millikan on Friday, there are four Moore League teams \u2013 Lakewood, Wilson, Poly and Millikan \u2013 in a tie for first place.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know it\u2019s a long season, so I am just taking it one day at a time,\u201d O\u2019Neil said. \u201cLet\u2019s just see where it ends up at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
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