Burbank Major softball slams way to opening win

It didn’t take long for the Burbank Major All-Star softball team to make an impression at the Little League Western Region Tournament in San Bernardino on Friday afternoon.

The Section 2 and Southern California State Division 3 champion mauled Idaho representative Lewiston Little League, 10-0, in four innings, while pitcher Alyssa Valenzuela tossed a no-hitter at Houghton Stadium in opening-round pool play.

With the victory, Burbank will take the day off before facing Northern California on Sunday at 10 a.m. Burbank is part of a four-team pool that also includes Hawaii and can earn advancement to the knockout stage by winning the pool.

“I think we faced a good team, but they just ran into a red-hot team,” said Burbank Manager Rocco Buffalino, whose team was last in action July 15 when it won the state tournament in Colton. “We played very well and Alyssa pitched very well. When you start throwing up zeroes on the board, it’s big for everyone’s confidence.”

Valenzuela started off nine batters with first-pitch strikes en route to striking out five, while walking one.

As for Burbank’s offense, it didn’t really explode until the fourth inning.

The Media City squad took a 4-0 lead into the frame, but erupted for six runs with Makenna Palamara officially ending the game with a two-run double that turned the score into 10-0 and evoked the mercy rule.

“To be honest, I feel like we’re a team that’s going to score runs off most teams, so scoring isn’t the issue for us,” Buffalino said. “So, when you have Alyssa going out there and throwing up zeroes, you’ll get a game like this.”

Annie Buffalino finished three for three with two doubles and three runs batted in to pace Burbank’s attack, which was aided by four errors from Lewiston.

With the victory, Burbank improved to 9-2 this postseason.