Future looks bright
BURROUGHS HIGH — It looks as if the Burroughs High softball program is set for a bright future.
On the varsity level this past season, the Indians shared the Pacific League championship. It was the program’s second straight title.
Although Burroughs lost six players to graduation, only three were starters. Despite the losses, it looks like the program will have reinforcements.
This past season, the Burroughs junior-varsity team was dominating. Along with going 18-1, the squad also captured a league championship.
Under Coach Jason Burks and assistant Wes Tanagawa, the Indians’ lone loss was a 4-3 setback to Oak Park. However, after the loss the Indians went on to win their final 17 games of the season.
“They really had a good season, and that team has some very good talent,” Burroughs varsity Coach Doug Nicol said. “A group of those girls will be coming up to varsity next year. And on top of that, we have a very good freshmen group coming in a well.”
Nicol said the program is attracting large numbers of players who want to compete for Burroughs. With the increased interest, Nicol added he would like to see a freshman team formed to accommodate the incoming athletes.
“Last year, from what I heard, Burbank had 27 freshmen try out for their program,” Nicol said. “[Crescenta Valley] had something like eight freshmen and we had 63 at Burroughs. The interest in our program has been phenomenal.”
Nicol will likely have his pick of a fine crop of players from the junior-varsity team, many of whom put up big numbers. The Indians overwhelmed opponents with their offense, as 11 players batted .400 or better and six had averages over .500.
Leading the was infielder Aimee Rodriguez, who had a .528 average (28 for 53) with 34 runs batted in, 28 runs scored, nine doubles and 15 stolen bases. Shortstop/pitcher Cheyenne Steward had a .547 average (29 for 53) with 34 runs scored, 24 RBI, eight doubles and 22 stolen bases, first baseman Molly Holt hit .564 (22 for 39) with 20 runs scored and 14 RBI and catcher Megan McKenna hit .525 (21 for 40) with 18 RBI and 17 runs scored.
The Indians also had solid contributors in outfielder Erica Bolognia (.688), outfielder Gracie Mote (.515) and infielder Aimee Rodriguez (.528). The squad also included Aubrie Bogle, Chelsea Narajos, Jessica Little, Jessica Sanchez, Stephanie Cejudo, Kaitlin Brooks, Jordan Mejia, Lexi Buliavac and Nora Fritner.