Repeat performance
GLENDALE — The Burbank Little League Major Softball team wanted to put forth a solid showing in the Section 2 championship game.
However, the locals probably couldn’t have envisioned the success they would have Tuesday in a contest against Canyon Country at Scholl Canyon Ballfields.
Burbank blistered the ball, played sound defense and received a strong performance from starting pitcher Davina Del Castillo.
When the dust cleared — literally — Burbank celebrated a 32-2 victory to secure the Section 2 title.
It is the second straight season Burbank has captured the sectional.
“No matter who we’re playing, our focus is to go out and just play our game,” Burbank Manager Bruce Del Castillo said. “If we play our game, and do the things that we’re supposed to do, we will be successful. We definitely played our game [Tuesday].”
The championship victory puts Burbank into the Division 3 Tournament. The locals open the event Friday with a 5:30 p.m. pool-play game at the Monte Vista Little League in Lancaster.
Last season, Burbank won the Division 3 crown, went on to capture the California title and came one game away from qualifying for the Major Softball World Series.
Bruce Del Castillo said the overwhelming win against Canyon Country should help his squad in the upcoming tournament.
“This is a really nice way to be going into the divisionals,” he said. “They were all hitting the ball and our bats came alive. I’m hoping we will be able to carry this into the next tournament.”
Burbank hammered out 23 hits in the game that was called in the fourth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule. The locals also took advantage of a cavalcade of Canyon Country errors, passed balls, wild pitches and walks that helped keep rallies alive.
Burbank exploded out of the gate, pushing across 11 runs in the first inning, highlighted by a triple from Del Castillo. The locals also took advantage of five walks, as they sent 13 batters to the plate.
Nine batters came to the plate in the second inning, as Burbank tacked on another six runs to take a 17-0 lead.
Del Castillo pitched the first two innings, allowing no hits.
Canyon Country was able to scrape together two runs in the top of the third inning to get on the board.
However, Burbank came roaring back in its half of the inning, bringing 20 players to the plate to score 16 runs on 12 hits.
Bridgette Pisa pulled off a rare feat, collecting three hits in one inning in the third. She finished four for five with three doubles, four runs batted in and three runs scored.
Castillo was four for five with two triples, a double, six RBI and four runs scored and Michelle Santiago was three for four with two triples, five RBI and three runs scored.
Burbank began the tournament Saturday with a 14-3 win against San Marino. It followed that up with a 13-0 win against Canyon Country on Sunday. The game was halted after four innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Burbank began Sunday’s game on a high note, scoring nine runs in the first.