SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Title Has Been Worth All Changes for Marina’s Burke : Division I: Shortstop was looking for something different when she left Ocean View. She finds it in 3-0 victory over Mater Dei.

Marina shortstop Angela Burke, who transferred from Ocean View for her senior year, wanted a change of atmosphere. What she got was championship atmosphere.

Saturday, she ended up with a Southern Section Division I softball championship.

“I just needed a change,” Burke said after Marina defeated Mater Dei, 3-0, at Mayfair Park. “It was like a breath of fresh air coming here [Marina].”

According to Coach Shelly Luth, the transition was fairly easy for Burke and her teammates.

“I was very pleased,” Luth said. “We just had to get her acclimated with our philosophy.”

Said Burke: “It was a little tough at first. But it didn’t take long for us to get along. We are a very tight team.”

In the biggest game of her career, Burke came through. She drove in the Vikings’ first run with a sacrifice fly to right-center field, reached base on an error, and hit a ground-rule double to left-center.

“I always knew she could hit,” Luth said of Burke. “She has been getting those clutch hits all year long. She really hit the heck out of the ball tonight.”

Winning the championship, the school’s second consecutive, was a goal this team thought it could reach.

“I started to get a little worried when we struggled in the middle of the season, but then we started playing like we were supposed to and things fell into place,” Burke said.

“It feels wonderful. I knew we were going to win this game,” she said, wiping tears.

She also played the part of fan motivator, getting Marina fans clapping and cheering between innings.

Burke also believes her defense and that of her teammates can make a difference.

“Our defense is as good as any team around,” she said. “Of course, it helps to play behind a pitcher like Marcy Crouch.”

Said Luth: “Her defense was her major contribution to this team all year long.”

Now, the senior shortstop is sad the season is over.

“I didn’t want it to end. It has been such a wonderful year.”