Indians’ patience pays off
OLIVE PARK -- The Burroughs High softball players chose not to get
discouraged when they loaded the bases in the first two innings
Tuesday against Burbank, and failed to score.
Instead, the Indians figured if they knock on the door hard
enough, they were going to eventually score runs.
Burroughs’ patience paid off in a Foothill League game at Olive
Park, as the Indians downed the Bulldogs, 3-0, in their first meeting
of the season.
“It was frustrating that we left that many runners on base the
first two innings,” said Burroughs Coach Jennifer Gomez, whose team
is 10-8, 2-3 in league. “But it was encouraging for the players
because we were putting runners on base and hitting the ball well.”
The Indians scored single runs in the third, fifth and sixth
innings.
Burroughs’ offense was paced by freshman Sara Budrick. Along with
going four for four, she also scored two runs and had an inside-the-
park home run in the sixth.
“That is our first home run of the season,” Gomez said.
Pitcher Dani Regan (10-8) kept Burbank (5-13, 1-4) in check, going
seven innings and allowing four hits.
The Bulldogs’ best hitter, senior Kristin Talamantes, got special
attention from Burroughs. In her three plate appearances, Talamantes
-- hitting .512 -- was walked three times on 12 straight pitches.
“Kristin is a player we have a tremendous amount of respect for,”
Gomez said. “We didn’t want to give her a chance to hurt us like
she’s done in years past. She is a player who can kill you with one
swing.”
Talamantes, who has been recruited by several Division I colleges,
will sign with Mercer University in Georgia, said Burbank Coach Ken
Schafer.
“It was a good strategy to walk her,” Schafer said. “That’s just
respect for a player they realize is a great hitter.”
Janette Galindo had two hits -- including a double -- for
Burroughs.
Emily Rohr had two hits for Burbank.