Rhoads’ Hits Bump Off Burroughs

Tiffany Rhoads had two hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs to lead Burbank High to a 5-0 victory over Burroughs in a Foothill League softball game Thursday night at McCambridge Park in Burbank.

After Jennifer Williams’ single in the first inning, Rhoads staked the Bulldogs (12-4, 2-2 in league play) to an early lead by smacking the first pitch from Malia Sullivan (6-6) for a two-run homer.

“I saw it rolling away from their fielders, so I just kept running,” said Rhoads, a sophomore first baseman. “It was very important for us to score first because that got us to relax, knowing we have Emily [Brower] pitching.”

Brower (9-4) pitched a two-hitter, striking out 11 and walking one. Brower struck out the side in the first inning and again in the third, and fanned all but two Indians at least once.

Brower walked to open the fifth and Jen Burrows reached base on a fielder’s choice. Lacey Lohr’s single scored pinch-runner Amy Erlinso, and later in the inning Rhoads hit a two-run single.

“It means a lot to beat them, but our goal is to play every game like it’s Burroughs,” Rhoads said. “We want to play every game with that kind of intensity.”

Sullivan struck out five and walked one while pitching a six-hitter for Burroughs (8-7, 0-3), which stranded five runners.