Downey loses late lead against Lakewood

DOWNEY - The Downey High School softball team currently has a 4-3 record with two of those early losses coming to Lakewood.In the first of the Lakewood games, Downey held a 9-3 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh inning and Lakewood scored seven runs to steal the win. Since the Lakewood games however, the Lady Vikings have gone 4-1 and took third place at the Downey Classic. Downey defeated a quality LaSalle squad on March 12 by the score of 10-1. Some key players returning for the Lady Vikings are standout pitcher Ale Guillen, second baseman Rachel Rodriguez, catcher Jazmyne Cortinas (signed with CSUN), outfielder Desirae Romero (Midland Texas JC commit), and former East Knights shortstop Alexis Zavala and third baseman Anissa Urtez (Utah commit). The Lady Vikings lost three key players to graduation last June. Shortstop Katie Medina (starting second baseman at the University of Florida), outfielder Staci Rodriguez (starting at New Mexico State), and first baseman Andrea Arellano (starting first baseman at Cerritos College) are all gone. Coach Karzen believes that Warren will be a difficult opponent in league. Warren has many returning players and are the three-time defending San Gabriel Valley League champions. Coach Karzen maintains that Downey will do all they can to make it their turn this season. The Lady Vikings will travel to Santa Monica on March 20, host Santa Fe in a double header on March 24 at 10 a.m. and noon , and travel to St. Lucy's in a couple of weeks. Downey will host Warren on April 3 to open their league schedule.

********** Published: March 15, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 48