The Maces baseball team dug itself into a hole after it started the season off with three straight losses. Since then, the Wolfpack have won four out of their last six games as they continue to compete with resilience while showing a strong commitment to growth as the season unfolds.
The team opened the season against tough competitors like South Gate, Bell, and El Rancho. Although those games resulted in losses, the players continued to compete, showing effort and working together as they adjusted early on.
Senior captain David Angulo, a pitcher and outfielder on the varsity team, has taken on an important leadership role in his final season. Having also served as captain last year, he entered this season focused and determined. During the off-season, he dedicated time to weight training while improving both his pitching and hitting mechanics. With this being his last year, his mindset has been to give his full effort while staying focused on the bigger picture.
On the field, Angulo emphasizes the importance of staying calm and not overthinking, whether he is on the mound or at the plate. He also encourages his teammates to support one another and work together. He believes this year’s team is unique, especially with strong contributions from sophomores and juniors. Still, he recognizes there is room for improvement. “More team bonding so we can get closer—the chemistry is there, but we can do better,” Angulo, the team captain, said.
Angulo identifies overthinking as one of the team’s biggest challenges, especially in high-pressure situations. “We need to be more calm,” Angulo said, noting that players can become anxious when the game is on the line. Angulo’s message to the team is to stay confident, avoid dwelling on mistakes, and continue moving forward.
Things began to turn around on February 28 when the team faced Artesia, and that game went into extra innings. After battling the last extra inning, they secured a seven-to-six win in the ninth inning, marking their first victory. The momentum carried into March 2, when they defeated Salesian five-to-three, with a strong all-around performance.
Although they faced a 2–12 loss against Flintridge Prep, the team responded with a dominant 17–3 win over King/Drew on March 9. These results reflect both the challenges and progress the team has experienced so far.
According to Angulo, recent games have felt more positive as the team has started to have more fun and grow closer, especially after a scrimmage game against Legacy helped strengthen their bond. Though off the field, Angulo gets his motivation from his family—his mom, dad, and brother. It developed a stronger bond with his whole family in different ways, making him strengthen his focus, leadership, and performance this season. As Angulo looks ahead, he hopes to be remembered not only as a strong pitcher but also as a leader who helped build the team’s unity, pushing toward their goals and preparing for the challenges of the remaining season.
Another teammate contributing to the team’s growth is senior Octavio Ramirez, who also plays outfield, plays an important role in the team’s development this season. Entering this year with high expectations. “I knew I could achieve much more than I did last year, so hopefully this season I will exceed the expectations I set for myself,” Ramirez said. After spending more time on the bench last season, he has now stepped into an everyday starting role.
Ramirez has focused on cutting down on strikeouts, making more consistent contact, and improving his defense. Along with these changes, his confidence has grown significantly. “I used to be very insecure about my abilities and nervous to go on the field or to bat, but this year I’ve felt more confident than I ever have,” he said. He also credits his positive mindset as a key factor in his improvement.
Looking back, Ramirez says one of the biggest lessons he learned was to stay disciplined. “You can never get too comfortable because there will always be a higher goal,” Ramirez said. Now in his senior year, he hopes to make the most of his final season and help lead the team toward a potential championship.
With several games already played, the team continues to gain experience and confidence. As they move deeper into the season, their focus remains on improving team chemistry, staying disciplined in high-pressure moments, and building on recent momentum as they push toward a playoff run.
