Tag Archives: Burbank High

Burbank Softball Held In Check 4-2 By Norwalk In CIF Wild-Card Match

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By Rick Assad

 

Facing probably the best pitcher this season, the Burbank High softball team would have to be picture perfect.

Daunting as this challenge was, there wasn’t a lack of confidence, but this only goes so far.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Bulldogs were put in a stranglehold by Norwalk senior hurler Breanna Vasquez, who held Burbank to three hits, striking out a season-best 16 batters with one walk and one hit batter over seven innings en route to a 4-2 win at McCambridge Park in a CIF Southern Section Division IV wild-card game.

The Lancers (11-10) did all their scoring in the first inning off junior Alyssa Porras, who gave up an infield single to Vasquez, the leadoff hitter.

Alyssa Porras allowed four runs in the first inning in a CIF wild-card loss to visiting Norwalk. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

When sophomore Brianna Nunez (two hits) clubbed a run-scoring double down the left-field line, Vasquez scored.

Senior Samantha Campos was hit by a pitch and freshman Estefania Perez was safe on the first of two errors in the frame.

Sophomore Angelina Perez hit back to the box and was retired at first base and sophomore Destanie Cervantes (two hits) popped up for the second out.

Junior Destiny Ochoa made it to first base on an error, but was out at second base for the third out.

“When we get down that quickly and by that much in the game, it’s really hard to get back up and start getting that energy to score more,” said Porras, who went seven innings, yielding five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. “At the end we did, but not that much.”

Porras said the team felt good coming into the game. “I think we were thinking about winning,” she said. “But it was harder to focus today because we really wanted to be in the playoffs and we had a really good season.”

Fleet-footed center fielder Alex Davis made a spectacular play in the third inning. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Bulldogs (16-12) shaved the advantage to 4-1 with a run in the fifth inning as junior Sarah Garelick was nicked by an offering from Vasquez with one out.

Senior Bene Snyder’s grounder moved Garelick to second base and Garelick later scored on an error.

Burbank’s second run came in the seventh when junior Desi Gomez laced a one-out single to right field which prompted junior Carly Oldfield to enter as a pinch runner.

After senior Erin Lashkari fanned for the second out, Snyder ripped a base hit up the middle as Oldfield crossed the plate that made it a two-run deficit.

Sophomore Katie Treadway then fanned to end the game and the season for the Bulldogs.

“We just didn’t come out in that first inning, because like I told the team, the first inning is just as important as the seventh inning,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said.

Still Delaney was pleased with the effort despite the setback. “About two years ago we started implementing a team-first mentality,” he said. “It took hold this year and our seniors did a phenomenal job of instilling this to our underclassmen. Overall it’s the way we played ball. We never gave up. We got two outs and we’re battling.”

Senior third baseman Bene Snyder shows off her throwing arm in a wild-card match against the Lancers. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Delaney then added: “I think the girls understand what it takes to be successful. I think for us as a program we’ve got to stop looking at beating Burroughs as our championship,” he said. “It’s just an emotional game. How do we move on with a win or loss to Burroughs?”

Vasquez was in charge from the outset.

“The first couple innings I was feeling really confident. The last couple of innings I was a little nervous, but my team has my back,” said Vasquez, who will play softball at Central Florida.

There was tension in the seventh inning because the Bulldogs had runners on first and second base.

“I was thinking I didn’t want any more people to advance,” Vasquez said. “So I wanted to take it pitch by pitch and make sure I got ahead of the batters and got the strikes in.”

Vasquez came out gunning in the opening stanza as she struck out senior Macie Jensen and junior Amaya Broyls.

Vasquez then surrendered an opposite field triple to right by junior Alex Davis, but fanned senior Anysia Gonzalez.

Vasquez worked a perfect second frame after striking out Gomez and Lashkari and getting Garelick to line out to second base.

The third inning was another 1-2-3 affair for Vasquez as Snyder, Treadway and Jensen all fanned.

Vasquez struck out the side in the fourth as Broyls was retired catcher to first base, Davis looking and Gomez swinging, but issued her only walk to Gonzalez, the third hitter of the inning.

Another perfect inning came in the sixth for Vasquez, who induced Jensen and Broyls to ground out to third base and Davis to fly out to center field.

Burbank Boys Tennis Season Concludes In CIF Quarterfinals

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By Rick Assad

 

Getting to the CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinals for the Burbank High boys’ tennis team is something to be proud of.

But the dream of getting to the semifinals ended on Monday when the Bulldogs lost to visiting Etiwanda 12-6.

The last time the Bulldogs (12-6 and third in the Pacific League), who defeated Gahr 12-6 and No. 4 seeded Simi Valley 10-8, advanced to this point in the playoffs was 2007.

The Eagles (19-4) are the No. 5 seeded team in this field and placed third in the Baseline League at 7-3.

James Lee, Burbank’s No. 1 singles player, won two sets. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burbank’s singles team did especially well, capturing five points that included two points from junior James Lee, who defeated No. 2, junior Clyde Siringoringo 6-4 and No. 3, sophomore Chris Vergara 6-0.

At No. 2 for the Bulldogs, senior Nathan Soria captured a point after drilling Vergara 6-0.

Burbank’s No. 3 singles player, freshman Alex Galstyan, despite his youth, won a pair of points after knocking off Siringoringo and Vergara 6-2 and 6-2.

Etiwanda’s No. 1, junior Eric Chang defeated Lee 7-6 (8-6), and then knocked off Soria 6-1 and Galstyan 6-2, and Siringoringo took out Soria 7-5.

The Eagles, who for the second consecutive year ended Burbank’s season, grabbed eight of the nine points in doubles play.

The only point came from Burbank’s No. 1 team of senior Luciano Dapuetto and junior Ethan Lee, who held off No. 2, senior DeAndre Siringoringo and senior Victor Siapno 7-6 (9-7).

“I think it’s been a great four years,” Dapuetto said. “Burbank has a great program. It’s a great school. Overall this year has been the best of the four.”

Burbank’s doubles teams took one point against the Eagles. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Dapuetto was reflective afterward. “All beginnings have an end,” he said. “This wasn’t perfect. We were just going round by round. We made it this far. We had a lot of excitement coming into the game.”

Dapuetto/Lee fell to Etiwanda’s No. 1 squad, senior Sachin Reddi and freshman Dwayne Siringoringo 5-7 and No. 3, sophomore Shvey Shah and sophomore Dominic Estrada 4-6.

Burbank’s No. 2 tandem, senior Harout Abgaryan and sophomore Siddhanth Denduluri lost 4-6 and 2-6 to Etiwanda’s No. 1 and No. 2 squads, while the pair of Abgaryan and freshman reserve, Abasi Abukusumo, were hammered by No. 3, 0-6.

The Bulldogs’ duo of sophomore Parker Katz and sophomore Dominick Sumera were stymied 2-6 and 1-6 by Etiwanda’s No. 2 and No. 3.

Katz and senior Greg Farhadian, a reserve, were blitzed by Etiwanda’s No. 1 tandem, 0-6.

Longtime Etiwanda coach Brent Lunt, who has been at his post 33 years, was satisfied with the final result.

“I thought my two singles could have played better,” he intoned. “I thought the doubles played pretty good. The doubles have been consistent all year.”

Burbank Softball Rallies For 4-3 Win Over Host Burroughs

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By Rick Assad

 

A two-run first inning by the Burroughs High softball team was met with full backing by the home crowd at Olive Park on Thursday night.

Slowly but surely, Burbank chipped away at the lead, eventually evened it and in the top of the eighth scored the go-ahead and winning run as the Bulldogs earned a 4-3 victory in the Pacific League regular-season finale.

Alex Davis led off the frame with a single to right field. Up stepped senior Anysia Gonzalez, who dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt that advanced Davis to second base.

But the bunt hit the ground hard and caromed high into the air. Seeing this, the very speedy Davis pulled into third base.

Hannah Talavera’s two-run homer came in the first inning, but the Indians lost 4-3 to the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Junior Desi Gomez, who singled up the middle with one out in the second, was the next batter and promptly grounded to second base which plated Davis to make it 4-3.

“I’m just lucky that I did this today,” said Davis, a junior of the winning run. “I noticed that they weren’t covering third and I wanted to take advantage of the mistakes and it ended up working.”

In the home half of the inning and facing junior Alyssa Porras, who surrendered 11 hits with a hit batter and two strikeouts across eight frames, senior Nikki Ricciardella popped up to shortstop.

Sophomore Memorie Munoz struck out looking, but junior Kaitlin Escamilla was safe on an error.

When senior Hannah Talavera fouled out to shortstop behind the third base bag, the game and victory was sealed.

Burbank third baseman Bene Snyder gets the ball over to first base. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs threatened to win it in the seventh inning when sophomore Chloe Bookmyer and senior Presley Miraglia each singled with one out.

But senior Jessica Amaya and junior Megan Williams each popped up to shortstop.

The Indians (13-4-1 and 12-2 for second place in league) sprinted to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame when Escamilla reached on an infield single.

Talavera then found a pitch she could handle and lined it down the left-field line and was able to circle the bases and touch home plate.

Junior Mia Storer blooped a base hit to left field. Bookmyer (three hits) also reach base on a bloop single to center field.

Miraglia lined to center field, Amaya was safe on a force out and Williams popped up to shortstop.

Burroughs senior Presley Miraglia took the 4-3 loss to Burbank. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs made it 3-0 with a tally in the fourth as Munoz singled up the middle with one out.

Escamilla then bounced back to Porras as Munoz went to second base.

A wild pitch saw Munoz advance to third base and when Talavera was safe on an error, Munoz scored.

“We just couldn’t come out and pull the trigger,” Burroughs coach Wes Tanigawa said. “We just didn’t do what we needed to do. We had hits early. I don’t know if they got overconfident. Or that Presley was going to shut them down.”

The Bulldogs (16-11 and 10-4 for third place in league) sliced the lead to one run with a two-run fifth as senior Macie Jensen clubbed a two-out, two-run homer that found the right center field gap.

“We’re hitting. Something’s going to fall,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said. “The way we’re hitting, it’s just a matter of time. It’s a good win going in to [the CIF playoffs]. To keep their focus is just phenomenal.”

The Bulldogs managed only six hits off Miraglia, but scored four runs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burbank evened it at 3-3 with a run in the sixth as Gonzalez (two hits) bashed a one-out triple to center field.

Delaney was extremely pleased with the quick-thinking Davis.

“We’ve been practicing that over the last few weeks,” Delaney noted of the intelligent base running of Davis. “Just working on being aggressive on the bases. It’s available once a game. It’s just a straight read on her part.”

Gomez then bunted back to Miraglia, and was safe on a fielder’s choice, but when she flipped the ball a little too high for Williams, the catcher, to handle, Gonzalez found the plate and it was level at 3-3.

Miraglia pitched well enough, but was loser after toiling eight innings, allowing six hits with three strikeouts.

The Indians could have scored in the second inning, but didn’t as Munoz was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second base and third base on an error.

Munoz remained there as Talavera popped up to shortstop and Storer lined out to center field.

In the third, Bookmyer led off with a single to left field and Miraglia (three hits) singled to right field, but Amaya bounced into a double play and Williams lined to third base.

In the fifth, Miraglia singled up the middle with one out and junior pinch runner Hannah Skinner went to second base on an error and third base on an infield single by Williams.

When Ricciardella hit into a double play, the inning and threat came to a conclusion.

Junior Amaya Broyls led off the fourth inning for the Bulldogs with a single, and moved to second base on Gonzalez’s one-out base hit.

Neither scored as Davis and Gomez fanned and senior Erin Lashkari flied out to right field.

Burroughs Baseball Earns 5-2 Win Over Burbank

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By Rick Assad

 

There is an outside chance that the Burroughs High baseball team will participate in the upcoming CIF Southern Section playoffs after beating city rival Burbank 5-2 in a Pacific League contest at Tomahawk Field on Tuesday night.

With the stands filled to near capacity, the Indians scored a run in the first inning and four runs in the second.

“We’re playing for a playoff spot. We have to win to get in and we have to win on Friday or we’re out,” Burroughs coach Craig Sherwood said.

Burroughs junior Nicco Chuidian went five innings, collected two hits with an RBI in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over Burbank. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

That was all the scoring Burroughs (13-14 and 7-6 in league) would need as junior Nicco Chuidian went five innings, striking out two with three hits allowed.

“I thought Nicco did a great job to start the game,” Sherwood said. “He showed not only on the mound, but also at the plate what an elite player he is.”

Chuidian was mighty handy with the bat, collecting two hits and added a run batted in.

The Bulldogs (7-13 and 5-8 in league), who are out of the playoff hunt, scored two runs in the third inning as senior Abiezer Delgado’s base hit drove in both runs.

“Obviously you want to win games. That’s what we’re here to do, but at the same time you want to develop young men that you can be proud of,” Burbank coach Bob Hart said. “In that regard, I couldn’t be happier. They’re a great group of guys.”

Burbank pitcher Matthew Porras had a rough outing against the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Hart then added: “They’ve matured. They conduct themselves at a pretty high level,” he said. “They’re all good in the classroom. Most of them are going to college. You want to win games, but you want to develop young men. Ultimately that’s probably as big a goal for me as trophy hunting.”

Junior Matthew Porras went two and two-third innings with a strikeout, while junior Daniel Ruiz ventured three and one-third innings.

The Bulldogs, who were limited to three hits, will host the Indians on Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

Chuidian cruised through the fourth inning when he retired freshman Ryan King and Ruiz on fly outs to right field and senior Max Meltzer on a pop up to third base.

Ruiz faced four batters in the bottom of the frame as junior Julian Jaramillo (two RBIs) and senior Matthew Diaz grounded out to shortstop.

Junior Collin Johnson, who walked three times, was aboard on a base on balls, but junior Andres Salazar flied out to center field.

The fifth inning began with Chuidian inducing senior Matt Moreno to fly out to left field while sophomore Oakley Spens grounded out to shortstop.

Burroughs third baseman Julian Jaramillo making an over the shoulder catch. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Junior Davis Mieliwocki then grounded out to sophomore shortstop Brian Garcia (two hits), who made a terrific stop and then gunned the ball to first base for the final out.

“It’s what we live for. I woke up thinking, Burbank game. We’re all ready for this,” Garcia said.

Garcia spoke about the two hits. “I’m really just looking for that one pitch,” he said. “Nothing high. Nothing low. You have to take advantage of it.”

Garcia said that he knows how important these games are. “We have to have the same mentality and the same approach,” he pointed out of Friday’s match. “Who ever wants it more will come out on top.”

Burbank left fielder Matt Moreno gets the ball into the infield. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Ruiz faced three batters in the fifth as senior Nathan Palafox lined out to center field.

Senior Revin Diego walked and senior Andrew Jacob Barrera lined out to left field, but Diego was caught stealing for the third out.

Senior Joe Metcalf was on the mound to begin the sixth for the Indians and walked junior Andrew De La Torre and Delgado.

That’s Jaramillo on the base paths. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

In stepped junior Xavier Dubon in place of Metcalf and he fanned Porras for the first out.

“I think the relief job by Xavier, who came in with runners on first and second and nobody out with a three run lead and they didn’t score a run off him was one of the best relief jobs in years,” Sherwood said of his submarine specialist.

Dubon then induced King to reach on a force out, and fanned Ruiz for the last out.

“I was staying calm. Focus on just throwing strikes. Keeping it low. Get ground balls. I wasn’t trying to do anything special,” Dubon said of his outing. “I think it’s just the normal game. Come out here and just focus on you. Visualize it in your head and just do it. Believe in yourself.”

Six batters trotted to the plate in the home half of the sixth with senior Brandon Giraldo and Diaz reaching base on singles.

Salazar worked the final inning for the Indians and went 1-2-3 after Meltzer flied out to left field, Moreno grounded out to second base and Spens flied out to right field in foul territory.

Burbank, Burroughs Swim Teams Fare Well In Pacific League Finals

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By Rick Assad

 

Under favorable weather conditions, the Pacific League swimming finals was held at Burbank High on Thursday and the team standings and individual races went essentially according to form.

Two league records fell as Burroughs sophomore Maya Wilson placed first in the 200 yard freestyle after coming in at 1.51.73.

The old mark was held by Crescenta Valley’s Heather MacDougal, who swam 1.51.76 in 2013.

The other record smashed was by Crescenta Valley freshman Amanda Petersen, who won the 100 breaststroke (1.05.16), breaking MacDougal’s 1.05.23 in 2013.

Petersen was a double winner after also taking the 200 individual medley (2.08.45).

Wilson placed first in the 500 freestyle (4.59.15) and was part of a foursome that took fourth in the 400 freestyle relay (4.03.62) that included senior Marlena Skrabak, senior Bianca Sanchez and junior Aleah Orozco.

Burroughs sophomore Maya Wilson placed first twice and set a Pacific League record in the 200 yard freestyle at 1.51.73. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Wilson was on the team that garnered fourth in the 200 medley relay (2.06.71) that included senior Annabelle Morning, Skrabak and sophomore Emmanuella Nathan.

“I went in trying to have no expectations,” Wilson said of her day in the pool. “I was just trying to improve, whether it was my times or my mindset. After I finished, it was a moment of relief.”

Wilson then added: “Working in practice every day. Seeing if I can improve every day. I try to stay in the moment and focus on the now,” she noted. “I focus on how I can improve my race. I’m focusing on CIF and see what I can do. I’m pushing myself to new limits in all my practices or trying to.”

Burbank sophomore David Lee also had a day to remember and was another double winner after taking first place in the 50 freestyle (23.05) and the 100 freestyle (50.17).

“I felt all sorts of emotion and excitement,” Lee said. “I think about the long run. How fast I want to get two years from now and how do I have to train every single day to get to achieve that process. Get to that level. I try to train as hard as I can every single day to get to that level. One hundred perfect effort.”

Lee was a member that included senior Isaac Yang, junior Dorian Andrei and sophomore Ryan Feldman that garnered third place in the 400 freestyle relay (3.28.66) and part of a squad that included freshman Arsen Rostomyan, junior Gevorg Vardanyan and Yang that grabbed fourth place in the 200 freestyle relay (1.36.19).

Burbank sophomore David Lee (second from right) won the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

As far as team standings, the Burroughs girls’ varsity placed third with 196 points while Burbank was fifth (173 points).

The Burbank boys’ varsity took third (248 points) while Burroughs was sixth (157 points).

“We had mostly all best times today,” Burbank coach Cody Parker said of his teams. “Obviously we had David Lee win two individual events and the boys’ 200 individual medley got consideration. So there’s a lot to be proud of as a team.”

Burroughs coach Jacob Cook was pleased with Wilson. “Maya is very impressive,” he noted. “Maya did some incredible stuff. She puts in the work. Her talent is just insane. She’s special. I just told her before the race, to go for it.”

Cook spoke about his teams. “There’s a lot of PR’s today,” he said. “A win for me is not just scores, but it’s to beat individual times.”

The Crescenta Valley girls’ varsity took first with 558 points, Arcadia grabbed second (474), Pasadena was fourth (178), Hoover sixth (153) and Glendale nabbed seventh (139).

In the boys’ varsity, Crescenta Valley was first (571), Arcadia took second (420.5), Hoover was fourth (165.5), Glendale placed fifth (161) and Pasadena took seventh (110).

That’s perfect form in the butterfly. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Other strong outings included Burroughs’ junior Reigh Abaoag taking second place in the 100 yard butterfly (52.89) and third in the 100 yard breaststroke (1.01.31).

The Burbank foursome of junior Michelle Morlock, sophomore Simone Bethel, junior Emily Udall and senior Angelica Perez took third in the 200 medley relay (2.04.86).

Udall also placed third in the 500 freestyle (5.46.97), sixth in the 100 butterfly (1.04.99) and was part of a foursome that included sophomore Simone Bethel, sophomore Geneva Bethel and Morlock that finished sixth in the 400 freestyle relay (4.12.83).

In the boys’ 200 medley relay, the team of Rostomyan, Feldman, Andrei and Vardanyan finished third (1.45.87).

Other solid placings included the Burroughs team of junior Isaack Dowling, Abaoag, junior Arshak Berberyan and junior Nathan Gault-Crabb that grabbed fifth in the 200 medley relay (1.50.39).

It takes skill, training and determination to succeed as Burbank and Burroughs demonstrated at the Pacific League Finals. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs freshman Madeline Spangler was seventh in the 200 freestyle (2.15.16) and Burroughs freshman Isabelle Mucha was 10th in the same race (2.19.35).

Feldman finished in fourth place in the 200 freestyle (1.49.82) and sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1.05.12).

Morlock was fourth in the 100 freestyle (59.02) and ninth in the 50 freestyle (27.05).

Gault-Crabb was eighth in the 50 freestyle (24.14), while Andrei was eighth in the 100 butterfly (58.08) and eighth in the 100 freestyle (52.88).

Here’s a Burroughs swimmer giving it her all. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs freshman Nicolai Lazarev nabbed eighth place in the 500 freestyle (5.34.48).

The Burbank team of sophomore Geneva Bethel, Simone Bethel, sophomore Grace Tomasek and sophomore Angelina Chavez finished sixth in the 200 freestyle relay (1.57.59).

Dowling, sophomore Arthur Eldridge, senior Scott Sauve and senior Daniel Marinero took seventh place in the 400 freestyle relay (3.46.92).

Burroughs Boys Volleyball Needs Four Sets To Defeat Host Burbank

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By Rick Assad

 

It wasn’t as lopsided as the first time the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team faced Burbank.

Still the end result was the same, but instead of a three-game sweep, the Indians needed four games in order to stifle the host Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Behind the overall play of Cole Kaitz, who had a match-best 21 kills, the Indians prevailed 25-15, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22, in a Pacific League match and remain undefeated.

“We just try to look at every game like it’s the same game,” Kaitz said. “Every game is the same to me. So just because it’s the crosstown rivalry, it doesn’t really mean much to us. It’s just another game. Another opponent. I’ve played these guys already four years in a row.”

Diego Rosal (#4) rises up and unloads a winner for the Indians, who defeated the host Bulldogs in four sets. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs won its ninth consecutive league banner, stretched its league match streak to 64 victories and has knocked off Burbank 14 matches in a row.

“Last time we got lucky because they couldn’t pass. We knew it wasn’t going to be the same thing,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said. “Trying to convince a group of teenagers of that is hard at times.”

Brinton said the Bulldogs put up a good fight.

“Losing that set probably was a really good thing to wake us up,” he noted. “Getting the battle that we got. It’s what we want our league to become. A slugfest. Burbank made us do that. They passed really well. They played great defense all night.”

The third set was tied on 12 occasions including 24-24 on a kill from Burbank’s senior outside hitter Jonathan Ragheb, who finished with nine kills.

Burbank’s Ryan Rickey (#27) passes during Thursday’s match against Burroughs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Senior setter Brian Valmonte (41 assists) served an ace for the Bulldogs that made it 25-24, but his net serve evened it at 25-25.

After a net violation gave the Indians (17-8 and 11-0 in league) a 26-25 cushion, Azael Estrada’s block secured the game for Burroughs.

Valmonte’s spike evened it at 4-4, but the Indians’ Connor Burroughs’ winner made it 8-8.

The Indians, who took out the Bulldogs 25-5, 25-11, 25-18 on March 30, moved in front 14-11 on Kaitz’s hammer and it became 17-15 on another bullet from Kaitz, who added three blocks.

The Bulldogs (15-6 and 9-2 in league) then went on a 6-2 run that made it 21-19 and included a kill from junior outside hitter Ryan Rickey (five kills).

“I wanted them to go out there and be aggressive,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “Not be so timid and shy at the service line or when you’re out there swinging. I think we did a pretty good job of staying aggressive in our attacks and service.”

Burroughs and Burbank passed the ball well in a Pacific League match. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Despite the setback, Rojo liked what he saw.

“There’s definitely been a lot of improvement shown since we last played them,” he said. “We were able to get more hitters involved.”

The deciding set was tied 16 times including 22-22 on a dagger by Kaitz.

A kill from Kaitz made it 23-22 as the Bulldogs asked for time out.

Kaitz’s stuff pushed the Indians’ advantage to 24-22 and Kaitz then topped off his evening with a smash for the set and match.

Burroughs darted ahead 5-4 on a service ace from Jose Solano (33 assists and 16 digs) and leveled it at 10-10 on Kaitz’s spike.

A block from Jagger Green pushed the Indians’ lead to 12-10, but the Bulldogs outscored Burroughs 5-3 and tied it at 15-15 on Ragheb’s rocket.

The initial set was a bit more one-sided as the Indians took control 3-0 on an ace from Michael Rumfola and were never headed.

Michael Rumfola (#16) and Jagger Green (#20) ready for a block. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The advantage became 8-4 on Rumfola’s kill and 14-7 on Diego Rosal’s winner.

Burbank came within 16-10 on a kill from senior middle blocker Rory Rickey (14 kills).

Burroughs seized control 22-13 on Kaitz’s bomb and snatched the set on a spike from Rumfola.

Burbank’s best set was the second as it led 5-2 on an ace from Ryan Rickey.

The Indians evened it at 10-10 on a blast from Rosal (10 kills), but the Bulldogs darted ahead 12-11 on junior opposite hitter Luca Bily’s bomb.

The Indians drew within 16-14 on a service winner from Rosal, but the Bulldogs went on a 5-4 spurt and led 21-18 on a kill from Ryan Rickey as Burroughs asked for a time out.

A 4-2 explosion by the Bulldogs and a kill from Ryan Rickey evened the match at one game apiece.

Sam Tipton contributed 16 digs for the Indians, while senior libero Eddie Curren tossed in 12 digs for the Bulldogs.

Burbank Softball Loses 15-10 Slugfest To Arcadia

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By Rick Assad

 

When it comes to hitting, pitching and defense, the Burbank High softball team excelled in one when it met Arcadia on Thursday afternoon at McCambridge Park in a Pacific League match.

The Apaches were slightly better in three and as a result walked away with a 15-10 decision.

“We didn’t have it defensively or pitching-wise today,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said. “Both of our pitchers struggled today hitting their spots and our defense wasn’t there to pick them up.”

Delaney went on: “Neither one happened today,” he said. “We were flat-footed today.”

The Bulldogs, who were coming off an 11-0 victory over host Glendale two days earlier, managed 13 hits.

Alyssa Porras, shown in a recent Pacific League game against Burroughs, went four innings and allowed 10 hits to Arcadia, which won 15-10. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Leading the charge was junior Desi Gomez, who accounted for three hits that included two triples and a single.

Senior Anysia Gonzalez had a triple and a single and sophomore Katie Treadway finished with a triple and a single.

Senior Macie Jensen added a double and a single and senior Bene Snyder smashed a double and a single.

Delaney said that mental mistakes really hurt. “I think we probably gave them six or seven runs today,” Delaney noted. “I told them that if we score 10 runs, we should win the game. I didn’t think we were prepared.”

Arcadia (7-8 and 4-4 in league) scored in five of the seven innings and collected 16 hits while Burbank (9-8 and 5-3 in league) also scored runs in five innings.

The Apaches scored three runs off senior pitcher Allie Benson in the first as senior Susan Harrison (four hits) belted a one-out, bases-clearing triple to left center.

Benson, who toured three innings, yielding six hits, striking out one and hitting one batter, escaped any further damage by getting junior Karly Gillis, who singled in the seventh, to hit into a double play.

The Bulldogs cut the edge to 3-1 as Gonzalez tripled in junior Sarah Garelick, who was safe on a fielder’s choice in the first inning.

Bene Snyder, shown in a recent game against Crescenta Valley, had a single and a double versus the Apaches. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

When junior Alex Davis lined a ball delivered by freshman Sophia Garzona over the left field fence for a two-run homer, it was knotted at 3-3.

Garzona toiled seven innings, hit a batter and fanned a batter and allowed seven extra-base hits.

Arcadia, which banged out 16 hits including four extra-base hits, made it 6-3 in the second inning when junior Megan Lau (three hits) delivered a run-scoring infield single.

Freshman Averi Wong (two triples) tossed in a smash back to Benson that scored a run and the other run scored via an error.

Burbank shaved Arcadia’s lead to 6-5 with two runs in the second as Gomez’s triple to right center drove in Treadway, who led off with a three-base hit to right center.

It became a one-run affair on Jensen’s one-out, base hit to left field that brought home Gomez.

Arcadia’s lead became 9-5 with a three-run fourth off junior Alyssa Porras, who worked four innings, allowing 10 hits with two hit batters, a walk and a strikeout, as Wong clubbed a two-run triple to center field and senior Nicole Puente added a sacrifice fly.

With a four-run fifth, Arcadia’s advantage swelled to 13-5 as junior Dejah Westbrook (four hits) knocked in a run with a single.

Wong’s triple brought in a pair of runs and Harrison’s single to center field added a run.

The Bulldogs scored a run in the fifth inning that made it 13-6 as Gonzalez, who singled up the middle with two out, eventually crossed the plate on an error.

Arcadia’s final two runs came in the sixth as seven came to bat with only Lau getting a single.

The inning was prolonged by two Burbank errors as the Bulldogs finished with four miscues compared to three for the Apaches.

Burbank shaved the lead to 15-7 with a tally in the sixth inning as Jensen’s double to left field scored a run.

Burbank tacked on three runs in the seventh inning as Gomez tripled to right center for two runs and Gomez came around on an error.

Senior Erin Lashkari also had a base hit for the Bulldogs that came with two out in the seventh inning.

 

Burroughs Softball Gets Past Host Burbank 1-0

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By Rick Assad

 

A genuine duel broke out as senior Presley Miraglia and junior Alyssa Porras matched skills in the pitcher’s circle in a Pacific League match on Thursday.

Inning after inning, neither allowed a run until the fourth when an unearned tally crossed the plate, but that was enough for Miraglia as Burroughs High edged Burbank 1-0 on a windy night at McCambridge Park.

“This type of game, it’s basically going to be, whoever is going to make the first major error to get that run across,” Burroughs coach Wes Tanigawa said of the tight battle. “That’s what it’s going to come down to.”

Presley Miraglia went seven innings, allowed four hits with 13 strikeouts as the Indians won 1-0 over host Burbank. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

That fateful frame began when Porras retired senior Hannah Talavera on a fly to left field.

Junior Mia Storer singled to center field and sophomore Chloe Bookmyer flied to left.

Miraglia, who was making her second start of the season after getting her grade-point average in order, singled up the middle as Storer took second base.

Senior Jessica Amaya reached on an error as Storer took third and scored to make it 1-0.

Porras then induced junior Megan Williams to fly out to right field that ended the inning.

Miraglia was sharp, allowing four hits across seven innings, striking out 13 and issuing no walks.

“Errors happen. I didn’t think we had a problem fielding,” said Miraglia of the bottom half of the initial inning.

Burbank hurler Alyssa Porras gave up one unearned run in the fourth inning to Burroughs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Miraglia was on the money with her pitches and felt confident.

“I felt a lot stronger today,” she said. “I was working on my spin. I was always taught to put my changeup later. I like to go to my changeup later in the game.”

Porras also went seven frames, fanning three and yielding seven hits with no walks.

“We’re usually a pretty solid defensive team,” Burbank coach Mike Delaney said of the fourth inning. “You have to rebound. It’s part of the game. I’ll take our infield against anybody.”

Delaney then added: “A lot of our scoring opportunities came with two out,” he said. “When you get to two outs, it takes away a lot of your offense. We worked hard to pass the bat through our lineup. Presley pitched a good game, but we chased.”

Miraglia retired the side 1-2-3 in the third, fourth and sixth innings and struck out 10 after five frames.

The game began with Talavera reaching base on a wind-assisted infield single as the popup wasn’t fielded.

Burbank’s Sarah Garelick, who singled in the fifth and stole second, tries to lay down a bunt. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Storer then lined out to right field and Bookmyer bounced into an inning-ending double play.

The Bulldogs (8-7 and 4-2 in league) sent five to the plate in the first as junior Amaya Broyls singled to left field with one out.

Junior Sarah Garelick laid down a sacrifice bunt as Broyls went to second and then third base after senior Anysia Gonzalez was safe on an error.

Miraglia, who has shown no rust after missing the early portion of the schedule, has 21 strikeouts in 14 innings, struck out senior Macie Jensen to end the threat.

Porras set down the Indians (6-3-1 and 5-1 in league) in order in the second as Miraglia grounded out and Amaya fanned looking while Williams grounded out.

Miraglia struck out senior Erin Lashkari and senior Bene Snyder to begin the second inning.

Junior Desi Gomez then reached an a wind-helped infield pop, but the frame concluded when sophomore Katie Treadway struck out swinging.

Runs were hard to come by with Presley Miraglia and Alyssa Porras in the circle. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Porras was brilliant in the third as senior Nikki Riccardella popped up, junior Citlali Mendez grounded out and sophomore Memorie Munoz struck out.

Miraglia answered as she set down the Bulldogs in order, fanning junior Alex Davis, then getting Broyls and Garelick on infield popups.

It was more of the same in the fourth for Burbank as Gonzalez fanned, while Jensen flied out to right field and Lashkari popped up.

The Indians went down 1-2-3 in the fifth as Riccardella popped up, Mendez flied out to center field and Munoz grounded out.

The bottom of the fifth inning saw Miraglia strike out the side as Snyder went down looking, Gomez swinging and Davis swinging.

Treadway, the third batter in the frame, singled to left center and stole second base.

Six batters trotted to the plate in the sixth for the Indians with Talavera getting a leadoff single to right center. Storer was safe on an error and Bookmyer singled up the middle.

Porras retired Miraglia on a liner back to the box, Amaya reached on a force out and Williams lined out to left field.

The Bulldogs did nothing against Miraglia in the sixth as Broyls grounded out, Garelick lined out to right field and Gonzalez struck out swinging.

Pinch hitter, junior Kaitlin Escamilla, singled to right field for the Indians in the seventh, but sophomore Isabella Kam, a pinch hitter, struck out.

Munoz fouled out to the catcher, Talavera singled up the middle for her third hit, but Storer grounded out.

Miraglia faced four hitters in the seventh as Jansen fanned looking, Lashkari then singled to right center.

Pinch hitter, senior Allie Benson, struck out swinging and Gomez flied out to right field in foul territory for the final out.

Burbank Baseball Takes Care Of Glendale 9-1

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By Rick Assad

 

Big innings often act like knockout punches and it surely did for the Burbank High baseball team on Friday afternoon.

Ahead by only two runs entering the top of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs scored six times as 10 batters went to the plate and in the process helped them earn a 9-1 decision over host Glendale in a Pacific League match.

The frame featured a two-run single to left field by senior Max Meltzer (two hits) and senior pinch hitter Matt Moreno’s run-scoring base hit.

Davis Mieliwocki, shown in a game against Arcadia, had a double in Friday’s 9-1 win ove host Glendale. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior Matthew Porras (single) and pinch hitter Austin Ortega, a senior, added run-producing grounders.

“We had opportunities throughout the game,” Burbank assistant coach Ron Capalbo said. “But when you have runners in scoring position, it’s not always going to go your way. But those guys just grinded and grinded and grinded.”

Capalbo, who was filling in for Bob Hart, who was ejected from Tuesday’s game and wasn’t allowed to be there on Friday, said the pitching change in the sixth inning was the turning point.

“The big moment for me was when we had to go back out there and we’ve got Ryan King, who’s a freshman on the mound. He just came up from JV and we had the ball in his hand and him finishing off and just seeing his face coming off and for us that moment we finished what we had to and the bats came alive.”

Matt Shaugabay, a senior catcher, shown in a contest against the Apaches, doubled and scored two runs in a win over the Nitros. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Capalbo said he was confident in King, despite his youth.

“The kid throws strikes. He’s thrown for us in winter league and some tournaments,” he noted. “The way he pitched with runners on. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs (4-7 and 2-2 in league) tacked on two runs that made it 3-1 as seven came to bat.

Porras singled to center field with one out and Troy Lee doubled to left center. Two batters later, sophomore Oakley Spens floated a single to right center that brought both runners home.

Neither team scored in the first two innings, but the Bulldogs, who defeated the Nitros 11-3 on Tuesday, woke up in the third frame as senior Matt Shaugabay, who scored two runs, had a two-out double to left center, moved to third base on a passed ball and scored on an error.

In the bottom of the frame, the Nitros (3-10-1 and 0-4 in league) evened it at 1-1 when junior Nolan Wong was hit by a pitch from junior Daniel Ruiz, who went three and two-third innings, yielding one hit and six walks with two hit batters and four strikeouts.

Junior Ryan Kataoka walked to lead off the third inning and later crossed the plate after advancing to second base on a walk to junior Adrian Coll and third base when sophomore Thomas Kovarik was nicked by a pitch.

Junior Jacob Duarte was credited with the victory after toiling one and two-third innings while giving up two hits, walking two, hitting a batters and fanning four.

King, who began the contest in right field, was given the save after coming in with one out in the sixth inning. King worked one and two-third innings and gave up two walks.

The Bulldogs collected nine hits that also included a single from senior Abiezer Delgado and a double by junior Davis Mieliwocki.

Burbank Softball Whitewashed By Crescenta Valley 8-0

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By Rick Assad

Burbank High softball coach Mike Delaney wants his players to be aggressive at the plate.

They weren’t as seven of the nine batters who fanned were called out on strikes as Crescenta Valley powered past the Bulldogs 8-0 on Thursday afternoon at McCambridge Park as the two remaining undefeated teams in the Pacific League met.

“We’ve been working on this so hard,” Delaney said. “When we get runners on second and in scoring position, shortening up our swings and putting a good swing on the ball.”

Delaney went on: “I use CV as an example today. They did a really good job of adjusting. I’m a pretty free wheeling coach and I like for them to get after it. That was my biggest frustration.”

Burbank first baseman Erin Lashkari makes a nifty play against the Falcons. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Delaney said it’s important to know the situation.

“We preach that every day in practice. Two strikes, you can’t go down looking,” he said. “We want them swinging. This game is all about adjustment. You can’t sit there and be a robot. If we just have adjusted.”

Burbank (6-5 and 3-1 in league) managed just five hits off freshman Dee Dee Hernandez, who delivered seven strong innings.

“I know my team’s behind me and they can make plays for me,” Hernandez said. “I know that my team will push more runs for me.”

Hernandez, who didn’t walk a batter, pointed out that the players like each other. “Our team chemistry’s very strong. I always like to compete,” she said. “Challenges are best. It makes you stronger as a player and as a team.”

Alyssa Porras relieved Allie Benson in the fourth inning as the Falcons prevailed 8-0. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Falcons (15-1 and 4-0 in league) forged ahead 1-0 in the second inning on a run-scoring single by freshman Devon Medina off senior Allie Benson, who left after three and two-third frames, walking one and allowing eight hits.

Crescenta Valley added three runs in the fourth inning against Benson as Medina had a run-tallying grounder and junior Alyssa Hernandez a run-scoring triple to left field.

It became 8-0 after a four-run seventh as eight batters trotted to the plate off junior Alyssa Porras, who went three and one-third innings, fanning one and yielding four hits including Dee Dee Hernandez’s run-scoring base hit up the middle and sophomore Maddie De Leon’s three-run, inside-the-park homer to right center.

“The girls are never satisfied,” Crescenta Valley coach Amanda Peek said. ” There are always things that they can correct. We play together as a team. The seventh inning, those girls want to finish. We’re hungry. We want to clean things up.”

Crescenta Valley collected 12 hits off two Burbank pitchers in an 8-0 win. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burbank junior Amaya Broyls led off with a triple to left center in the first inning against Hernandez, who then struck out junior Sarah Garelick looking.

Junior Alex Davis lined to right field and Broyls was caught in a run down and was eventually tagged out.

Senior Anysia Gonzalez was called out on strikes in the second inning, senior Macie Jensen popped to shortstop, senior Erin Lashkari was hit by a pitch and Hernandez struck out senior Bene Snyder looking.

Five batters went to the plate for the Bulldogs in the third frame as junior Desi Gomez and sophomore Katie Treadway both grounded out and Broyls was safe on an error.

Garelick singled to center field as Broyls moved to second base, but Davis was caught looking at strike three.

The Bulldogs garnered five hits off freshman Crescenta Valley pitcher Dee Dee Hernandez. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Gonzalez opened the fourth inning with a hit to right center and raced to second base on Jensen’s sacrifice bunt.

Lashkari flied to center field and Snyder struck out swinging.

Hernandez worked a 1-2-3 fifth as Gomez fanned looking, Treadway popped to second base and Broyls fouled to shortstop.

Garelick led off the sixth inning with a base hit up the middle and Davis lined to right field.

Gonzalez moved Garelick to second base with a sacrifice, but Jensen grounded out to third base.

The seventh inning saw Hernandez strike out three batters as Lashkari and Snyder were both caught looking while Broyls struck out swinging.

In between, Gomez had a two-out single to right field and scooted to second base when Treadway reached on an error.