Burbank 10-11 softball captures Section 2 championship

TUJUNGA — A day removed from a “lethargic” effort, the Burbank 10-11 All-Stars softball team responded with energy, aggression and action.

Burbank swiped five bases, turned in key defensive plays and enjoyed its best offensive performance versus Canyon Country in an 8-5 victory in Friday afternoon’s Section 2 championship game at Tujunga Ball Fields.

With the victory, Burbank punched its ticket to Sunday’s opening action of the divisional state championship tournament, hosted by District 58 representative Desert Hot Springs.

Burbank will take on Section 9 champion Reid Park at 6 p.m. at Wardman Park in the city of Desert Hot Springs.

“We were aggressive today against a very, very good Canyon Country team,” Burbank Manager Dean Rohan said. “We changed the lineup a bit, went with [pitcher] Emily [Rohan] the whole way and hit the ball better.”

Friday’s meeting was the third in the tournament for both sides as Burbank defeated District 40 champion Canyon Country, 4-2, on Tuesday, while losing, 9-3, on Thursday.

Burbank had previously combined for seven runs on 11 hits. On Friday, the Media City squad scored eight runs on eight hits and was aided by seven errors from Canyon Country.

Perhaps no one had a bigger impact at the dish for Burbank than Kiley Christopher, who finished two for three with a homer, double and four runs batted in.

Maybe no inning was more important for Burbank than the first.

The District 16 champs surrendered a run on a wild pitch that allowed Victoria Wensley to score. However, Emily Rohan escaped a runner-on-third-one-out situation with a strikeout followed by a comebacker.

The momentum from that escape carried over to the bottom half of the inning, as Burbank plated four runs with two coming on an inside-the-park homer from Christopher, as Burbank led, 4-1.

In the next inning, Burbank added three runs to take a commanding 7-1 advantage thanks to a two-run double from Christopher and a fielding error that allowed Rohan to score.

Canyon Country responded with three runs in the third, fueled by two Burbank errors, to close within 7-4.

The visitors scored a quick run on singles from Atalie Garcia and Saleen DeYoung along with a wild pitch to climb within, 7-5, in the fifth.

A groundout then moved DeYoung to third with one when the next batter, Amanda Jobb, grounded to third.

DeYoung retreated back to the bag and then attempted to score on the throw to first. A heads-up relay from first baseman Lily Stell to catcher Dani Hebri resulted in a devastating out at the plate, which stunted Canyon Country’s rally.

“That was one of the plays of the game,” Dean Rohan said.

Burbank added a run in the fifth when Hebri singled, stole second and then scored on a bunt single from Amaya Takizawa that was followed by a throwing error. The mistake accounted for both Canyon Country’s final error and Burbank’s last run as the home team pulled ahead, 8-5.

In the following half inning, Canyon Country went down in order to end the contest.

“We battled today and we’ve battled for five straight games and I can’t be prouder of this team,” Canyon Country skipper Todd Wensley said. “Burbank is a good team and we made a few mistakes that really hurt us, but I can’t be disappointed.”

The contest was the fifth straight for Canyon Country.

“I tip my hat to Todd and their team – a class act all the way,” Dean Rohan said. “For us, it’s never been about ‘Ws’ or ‘Ls,’ and I’m being honest. It’s been about fundamentals, about making the right plays.

“Yesterday, we were lethargic and didn’t play our best. We forgot about that game, came out to play and I’m proud of these girls. That’s what matters to me.”

Burbank’s championship squad also includes Victoria Sanchez, Avery Mochrie, Sophia Bruno, Kym Rudder, Kelly Volpe, Mallory Cibort and coaches John Sanchez and Jeff Mochrie.