The Burroughs softball team justified it’s No. 2 ranking in the CIF Southern Section rankings of Division III teams on Thursday, sweeping South Torrance — ranked No. 7 in the same rankings and one of the top programs in Southern California — on its own field.
Burroughs took the opener in extra innings, 2-0. Haley Schulman pitched a complete game 5-hit shutout to earn the win. She is now 6-1 on the season. Schulman allowed only two runners in scoring position and one runner to third base in the win. She topped the Spartans’ Haley Snodgrass — who has committed to Belmont University — who also gave up no runs through the first seven innings.
Burroughs struck for two runs in the top of the eighth inning when with one out Sidney Ortega tripled in the left-center gap and freshman Michelle Santiago came through two batters later with a two-out line-drive single to center field which scored Ortega for the game’s first run. Senior Caitlin Loera then doubled in Santiago and the Indians had a 2-0 lead.
Schulman shutdown the Spartans in the bottom of the inning to give the Tribe the win. Ortega led the Indians with two hits and the game-winning run.
In the night cap, the Indians almost gave one away before holding on for the victory. Freshman Davina Del Castillo pitched effectively in limiting South Torrance to three runs through six innings. However, with 7-3 lead with two outs in the final inning South Torrance mounted a comeback. The Spartans cut the lead to 7-6 and put the tying run on second base on an error.
However, Schulman relieved Del Castillo and escaped the jam, recording her second save on the season. Del Castillo is now 2-0 on the year. Burroughs has an overall record of 8-1, and Schulman has been officially involved in a decision in each game the team has played.
Trailing 3-2 in the 4th inning, Burroughs exploded for five runs to take a 7-3 lead. Shannon Trujillo had a two-run double, and Aimee Rodriguez, Megan McKenna, Del Castillo, and Michelle Santiago had consecutive hits to spark the rally that led to the offensive outburst. South Torrance is now 6-3.
Burroughs has a long layoff over its spring break before opening league on March 27 against the Crescenta Valley Falcons.
