Jeff Tully
The Burbank High softball team had no trouble putting runners on base
in its nonleague game against visiting San Gabriel at McCambridge
Park.
However, the Bulldogs did struggle to bring those runners home, as
they mustered just one run Wednesday in a 2-1 loss to the Matadors.
Burbank (3-8) got runners on base in six of seven innings, but
ended up stranding 10.
“That is just too many to leave on base,” first-year Burbank Coach
Ken Schafer said. “We had our chances, but we couldn’t score when we
needed to. We probably should have scored a few more runs in the
early innings.
“I think we should have beaten them today.”
The Bulldogs did hammer out eight hits and were impressive at the
plate. Starters Kelsy Rohy, Kristin Talamantes and Jeanette Gonzalez
each had two hits each for Burbank. The team also had just one strike
out.
The Bulldogs also came through with fine plays on defense.
Centerfielder Lindsay Talamantes had two gems, including a diving
catch in the seventh inning that robbed Ashley Gray of a hit. Third
baseman Andi Diaz prevented a hit in the second with a diving catch
that left her sprawled on the dirt.
But despite the exploits in the field, the Bulldogs’ failure to
manufacture runs led to their downfall.
Burbank got runners to second base in the first and third innings
and advanced a runner to third in the second inning. However, all of
the runners were left stranded.
The Bulldogs were finally able to push across a run in the fourth
inning on hits by Gonzalez, Rohr and an run-scoring single by Ammy
Acuna.
Burbank starting pitcher Casey McCarty did a good job keeping the
Matadors (2-4) in check the first five innings. In fact, the senior
carried a two-hitter into the sixth. With catcher Kristin Talamantes
calling the pitches, McCarty fooled many of the San Gabriel hitters
with a wicked changeup.
However, in the sixth inning, San Gabriel scored two runs on
singles by Gray, Mel Villarroel, Denise Garcia and Emma Sanchez.
“Casey did a great job early on,” Schafer said. “But maybe we left
her in a little two long.
McCarty (0-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven, allowing
no walks and six hits.
