Talent pool deep for local high school softball teams

LONG BEACH >> Local high school softball is very top-heavy this season and multiple teams in multiple divisions have the talent to make CIF Southe Section championship runs.

Los Alamitos and Gahr are the No. 2-ranked teams in CIF-SS Division 1 and 3, respectively. Calvary Chapel Downey is No. 7 in Division 7 and Lakewood came up with marquee wins over ranked teams at the Touament of Champions last weekend.

After a Sunset League title and a trip to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals last season, Los Alamitos (8-0) is already ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps.com Xcellent 25 Rankings.

“This is one of the better teams I’ve had here,” eighth-year coach Rob Weil said. “I think the exposure of last year has these kids ready to step up.”

Los Alamitos is led by center fielder Jea Holcomb, who is committed to attend the University of Teessee. The senior was the league co-Player of the Year and All-CIF last season after batting .444 with 30 stolen bases.

“She’s our catalyst,” Weil said of Holcomb. “She leads by example and she’s a true role model.”

Holcomb is joined by key juniors Mary Iakopo, Jea Kean and Caitlin Ladd. Iakopo, an Oregon oral commit, will play catcher and be the designated player in the cleanup role. Kean, an Arizona oral commit, is in right field. Ladd, a Michigan State oral commit, is hitting in the No. 3 spot in the lineup.

Los Alamitos will host Mission Viejo, ranked No. 2 in Division 2, Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in a nonleague matchup.

Gahr (6-1) fell in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals after a San Gabriel Valley League title last season. Coach Shawn Quarles knows his team is using that disappointment as a positive.

“This team is self-motivated; they want to change their place in history,” the 2015 Press-Telegram Dream Team Coach of the Year said.

The Gladiators are young, but have veteran experience to go with new talent. The key retuers are led by pitcher Danielle Martinez (orally committed to Duke), Alyssa Kumiyama (orally committed to South Carolina), Malia Quarles (orally committed to UCLA) and Madison Huskey (orally committed to Washington).

Gahr hit .382 as a team last year, but will have a strong arm in the circle with the retu of sophomore Martinez. In 14 appearances last season, she had a 1.53 ERA.

The surprise of the season so far has been the success of Calvary Chapel (6-0), which has outscored its opponents, 78-12. Seven Grizzlies have a batting average of .400 or better. Junior Bella Veloz leads the team with some gaudy numbers. In just 14 official at bats, she has 13 hits, 19 RBIs, four doubles and two home runs.

Lakewood (5-1) is trying to win a fifth consecutive Moore League title and after rebuilding a roster around two talented seniors.

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“We’re a lot better than I thought, honestly,” coach Andy Miramontes said. “The young kids have really stepped up and we’re jelling as a team very early.”

Lakewood is led by the best catcher in the area in Montana Dixon, who will continue her career at Stanford. Last year was her third season as a first-team All-Moore League catcher. She hit .390 with a .770 slugging percentage thanks to nine doubles and five home runs.

Once again, Millikan, Wilson and Poly will make of the Moore chase pack this season. The young Rams squad had a tough start to the season with three losses at the Touament of Champions. Senior shortstop/third baseman Cheeks Ramos, a Hawaii commit, is also one of the best players in the area. She hit .402 with 10 home runs last season and was named All-CIF.

In the Suburban League, Cerritos and Mayfair look like the teams to beat. The Dons have had success recently. The Monsoons are hoping to have from another big year from Sarah Parten, who hit .536 with 31 RBIs and four home runs last season.

St. Anthony is hoping for more success after the Saints claimed an undefeated Santa Fe League title last year and were in the CIF-SS Division 6 quarterfinals for the first time in 19 years. Senior Angelica Ponce is the ace pitcher with a 1.35 ERA in 26 iings this year. She hit .412.