Future looks bright for John Glenn softball
John Glenn's Julia Cole (23) is congratulated after hitting a two run home run against Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
CERRITOS – The present and future looks bright for the John Glenn High School softball team.
With a mostly freshman team and more to come next year, the team is in good hands for the next few years under the guidance of third-year coach Larry Leal.
“I am looking forward to a great season and watching these players develop into great student athletes,” Leal said. “This season we are a very young team with 11 freshman, two sophomores and one junior.
“All of the players are focused and determined to make this season one of the best that John Glenn Softball has had in a long time.”
That includes a winless team in league (0-12), just three years ago.
JG has never fielded a team that has qualified for the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
That is one goal that Leal is trying to accomplish, along with a league title some day
“We want to get softball as a recognizable sport on campus,” added Leal. “There aren’t any softball banners hanging in the gym.”
John Glenn's Aileen Lopez (14) gets a hit against Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
One way is winning and that is exactly what these young girls are doing since the season started.
The Eagles are not only winning, but winning by a big margin.
Their other two big wins are 19-9 and 11-0 over Western of Anaheim and a 7-2 win over Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary (Montebello).
Most recently was a 27-1 win over Whitney in the opening game of the 605 League last Tuesday (April 27) at Cerritos Regional Park.
Leading the way for the Eagles in the game was freshman third baseman Julia Cole (5 for 6, 2 Sgl., 2 Tpl., HR) with five hits and junior pitcher Gabby Ortega (4 for 6, Dbl.) with four hits, which included three home runs. Ortega pitched the first three innings for the win, while striking out four with one hit.
With three hits each were freshman centerfielder Diana Bravo (3 for 4, 5 R, 2 Dbl., Sgl.) and freshman first baseman Anais Perez (3 for 4, 2 R, 2 Dbl., Sgl.).
Sophomore shortstop Beatriz Galvez (1 for 3, 3 BB, Sgl.) also scored five runs.
Freshman second baseman Janessa Leal (2 R, Dbl.) and junior left fielder Daniela Barron (2 R) each had a single for Glenn.
Freshman right fielder Aileen Lopez scored three runs, walked three times and was hit by a pitch.
The Eagles, as a team, banged out 18 hits, which six doubles, two triples and four round trippers.
They opened up with four runs in the first inning, followed by two more big innings of six in the second inning and 13 in the fifth.
John Glenn pitcher Diana Bravo makes a play to first base as they play Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Whitney managed only three hits in the game, which included a pair of singles in the fourth inning for its only run.
Coach Leal, who also coaches and helps run a travel ball club (Vendetta), is assisted by Javier Galvez.
“Coach Galvez is pushing and working these players very hard at every practice,” Leal said. “He makes sure they are focused and prepared for the next game.”
JG Athletic Director Linda Parra is excited about the future of the softball program.
“Our softball program is off to a great start this season,” Parra said. “We have a young team who is excited and determined to win. Coach Leal is in his third season at John Glenn. He is excited to have a team of young players who have grown up playing softball. The girls have a terrific attitude and are very coachable.
“We look forward to what the future holds for this young team. JGHS is already so proud of them.”
Leal talked about a couple of his players: “Julia Cole came to the team strictly as an outfielder,” Leal said. “We couldn’t see her in the outfield and eventually put here at third base. She is outstanding there. Coach Galvez put her at catcher and she was also outstanding. She would play anywhere.
Galvez also has his daughter, Beatriz, on the team.
“As for Diana Bravo (CF), if the ball is hit in her general area, she’ll flag it down. Anais Perez hasn’t been playing as long as the others, but does a very good job.
“Gabby (Ortega), our number one pitcher and second baseman, can play anywhere. She can do anything and she is one of the quiet ones on the team and always brings everyone up.”
John Glenn shortstop Beatriz Galvez (7) makes a play to first base as they play Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Also on the team are: freshman Alexus Hernandez (C, LF, SS), freshman Paloma Ortega (OF), freshman Veronica Flores (OF) and Marilyn Avalos (OF).
Another player is freshman Sienna Contreras, who is a very good catcher, and can also play in the infield.
In addition to his high school team, Leal is very busy with two recreation teams and three travel ball teams with Team Vendetta of California, out of Artesia.
In fact, his 10 U team, which is one of three other teams (12 U, 14U and 16U), won the state championship in 2018 and 2019.
Eight percent of his players have played together on travel ball teams. Of the eight or nine current freshmen, seven have played for Leal on his travel ball teams. They even have been playing for Leal since they were eight or nine years old.
It’s a family thing with Leal, with his wife Carmen always supporting his team. He is busy almost every day of the week with his teams’ practices and games.
His younger daughter Desiree (13) plays on his 12U travel ball team and his older daughter, Arica, played at Buena Park High
His freshman daughter, Janessa, who is also a pitcher at JG, has received additional coaching from fellow Vendetta coach Gilbert Burgueno and has been a big part of her progress.
John Glenn first baseman Anais Perez (25) forces out the Whitney batter at first base in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
What they said:
Larry Leal, John Glenn coach: “We’re hoping to do real good in the 605 League. The past few years John Glenn is not known for softball, but we’re hoping to make a name for John Glenn and build a better program there.
A lot of (our) girls play summer ball on their own. They play travel ball and come to us. They all know how to play and it looks like they’re doing ok right now.
We also have some outstanding kids coming in next year. We want to be where everybody else is at.”
Janessa Leal, JG freshman second baseman: “I’m real excited that I get to play second base on a high school team. I feel like our team works together because we’re good friends and we know how to communicate on the field.
The reason we are undefeated is because we learn how to talk on the field and know how to work with each other.”
Beatriz Galvez, JG sophomore shortstop: “We work really well together and our hitting has been really good so far. I really like our team. We work really well together on hitting and we got three home runs from Gabby (Ortega).
My favorite players on the team have to be Diana (Bravo) or Julia (Cole), because they are my favorite people to talk to and hang out with outside of the softball field.”
John Glenn pitcher Gabby Ortega (5) makes a pitch against Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
John Glenn's Julia Cole (23) slides in safely at third base as they play Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
John Glenn shortstop Beatriz Galvez (7) catches a fly ball as they play Whitney in their 605-League varsity softball game at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos on Tuesday. John Glenn defeated Whitney 27-1. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)