Burbank’s Pape, Westbury Direct Win Over Studio City

The Burbank American Legion baseball team has turned the Eastern Division of District 20 into a circus. And with E. J. Pape and Christopher Westbury serving as ringmasters, Burbank is carrying momentum into its next engagement--this week’s playoffs.

Burbank (18-8), playing with the easy manner of a first-place team, coasted to an eight-run lead after six innings Saturday and held on for an 8-5 win over Studio City in the regular-season finale for both teams.

“They are always this relaxed,” Burbank Coach Pat Eggleston said of his players.

So relaxed that they joked with the umpire and fans at Sylmar High--during the game. Relaxed to the extent that right-hander Westbury would come out after each half-inning and apologize for his pitching performance in the 100-plus-degree heat.

Westbury, coming off an 0-5 record last season at Burroughs High, pitched five shutout innings and scattered six hits as he raised his record to 5-1 and dropped his earned-run average to 1.97. Meanwhile, the Burbank offense produced seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings to pull away from Studio City, which will be Burbank’s first playoff opponent.

Pape, a shortstop who is batting .467, went 3 for 3 to pace an 11-hit Burbank attack.

Burbank, which has won 12 of 14, meets Studio City at The Master’s College at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the playoff opener.

“Maybe we should always not care,” one Burbank player remarked.

Catcher Bobby Niers and others said that the relaxed attitude has been invaluable during the season. At one point, during a 10-game winning streak, Eggleston decided to forgo pregame drills and instead made the players rest.

Although Westbury’s fastball was not his strike pitch Saturday, the changeup more than compensated; Studio City grounded into two double plays off the pitch to kill early opportunities. In fact, Burbank turned double plays in each of the first four innings.

In the second inning, Burbank’s Rob Arroyo cut down Bruce Gomez at home on an attempt to score from third on a fly ball. Then in the fourth, Studio City’s Brad McGahan was doubled off first on a popup after getting a tremendous jump attempting to steal second.

“I admit it, I was lucky,” Westbury said after coming out of the game in the fifth. “But I did get my changeup over for strikes.”