CONTACT US

Contact Form

    News Details

    Elizabeth Biado’s HR lifts La Mirada softball past Los Alamitos in CIF-SS playoffs
    • May 15, 2026

    • La Miradas’ Elizabeth Biado #29 is congratulated for her two-run...

      La Miradas’ Elizabeth Biado #29 is congratulated for her two-run home run in the fourth inning. The La Mirada Girls softball team played Los Alamitos on May 13, 2026 in La Mirada CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

    1 of 15
    La Miradas’ Elizabeth Biado #29 is congratulated for her two-run home run in the fourth inning. The La Mirada Girls softball team played Los Alamitos on May 13, 2026 in La Mirada CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

    Expand

    LA MIRADA — A well-timed swing was the deciding factor between winning and going home.

    Sophomore Elizabeth Biado’s two-run home run in the fifth inning led the La Mirada softball team to a 4-2 victory against Los Alamitos in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs Thursday.

    “I just went up there and I took a deep breath,” Biado said, “and I was like, I should do my part for the team. I didn’t really expect to hit a home run but I’m glad I did.”

    La Mirada improved to 23-4 overall. The Matadores found redemption after a 10-0 defeat to Los Alamitos on Feb. 21.

    “It feels great to come back and know that that loss did not define us,” Biado explained.

    The Gateway League champions will be on the road in the second round Saturday. They will face the winner of Friday’s Palos Verdes at ML King game.

    All first-round games were originally scheduled for Friday afternoon. But the coaches for La Mirada and Los Alamitos agreed to move the game to Thursday to give the winning team an extra practice and rest day before the second round.

    “It’s nuts playing Friday, Saturday,” La Mirada coach Brent Tuttle said, “and asking D1 to do that. The pitchers are throwing 65 (mph), asking them to go back-to-back days.”

    Junior pitcher Alison Ortega threw a complete game. She allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out 10 batters.

    “I just wanted to be there for my team,” Ortega said. “I wanted to be strong on the mound and hit my spots.”

    Los Alamitos’ season ends with a 19-9 record that included winning the Sunset League title.

    Sophomore pitcher Jaliane Brooks went 5 1/3 innings and allowed 12 hits and four runs. She did not walk or strike out any batters.

    Griffins coach Rob Weil shared the final message he told his players after the game.

    “I just said, one game doesn’t define a season,” Weil said.

    “Know how this feels right here, so we’re never in this situation again,” continued Weil, who last year led Los Alamitos to the Division 2 title. “Maybe work a little harder during the year to get over this hump, and I said I was proud of them. The Division 1 CIF softball playoffs are a tough bracket.”

    Ortega, who is committed to Harvard, struck out the side to begin the game.

    “I think when I’m relaxed and I just trust my pitches and trust myself, I’m able to get those strikeouts,” Ortega explained.

    La Mirada freshman outfielder Alanna Adams hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the first inning. Junior shortstop Reese Hilliard’s RBI single scored Adams for a 1-0 lead.

    The Griffins were led by sophomore outfielder Ryann Velazquez, who hit a two-run home run that put her team up 2-1 in the third inning.

    Senior Alexis Galicia stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs but popped out to Ortega to end the rally.

    “Alison is our workhorse,” Tuttle said. “There’s a lot of pressure on her, but she does a great job with that. I don’t think she realizes it sometimes. She just goes out there and throws the pitches we ask and she does a great job at it.”

    Consecutive singles by Juliana Rivara and Rylee Thurmond put runners on first and second with no outs in the fourth inning. Rivara was picked off at second base. Bettie Mae Acevedo singled. Milani Cruz’s bunt single loaded the bases with one out.

    Adams’ RBI sacrifice fly scored Thurmond and tied the game at 2 all.

    Riley Hilliard hit a leadoff single in the fifth inning. Biado followed with a two-run home run to put La Mirada up 4-2.

    “I’m really happy that Liz hit that home run,” Ortega said, “because it really was a game changer.”

    Brooks was relieved by Faith Pulsifer in the circle with one out in the sixth inning. Pulsifer got the next two outs.

    Ortega retired the side in the sixth and seventh innings, including striking out the final batter, pinch hitter Maddison Jungers.

    ​ Orange County Register 

    News