Burbank High softball secures a share of Pacific League crown

For the first time in 26 years and in the Pacific League, the Burbank High softball team will be able to call itself a league champion.

The Bulldogs secured a share of the league title Wednesday with an 11-1 win over Pasadena in six innings Wednesday at McCambridge Park. They improved to 21-2, 11-0 in league with the victory and are ranked second in CIF Southern Section Division III.

Burbank can wrap up the title outright with a win against Arcadia on Friday. Arcadia is tied for second in league with Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, who all have three losses. Crescenta Valley’s 10-7 win over Burroughs, which gave the Indians their third loss, made Wednesday’s win a title-clinching victory.

“We aren’t going to celebrate until we get to that Burroughs game,” said Burbank Coach Nicole Drabecki of her team’s regular-season finale May 9 at Olive Park. “It’s been a long, long time.”

The Bulldogs last won a league championship in 1987 when they were in the Foothill League.

“Since 2008, my first season here, I planted that seed,” Drabecki said. “Each year that goes, you keep nurturing the seed, it grows into a tree and you get to see what works and what doesn’t. I have some really good talent and when you have talent, great coaching and hard work you can do anything.”

Burbank’s Lily Winn went three for three with three runs batted in and a double Wednesday against Pasadena. Bridgette Pisa, who was two for four, also had three RBI and a double for Burbank, which received a pair of hits each from Laina Do and Katie Hooper.

In the circle, Caitlyn Brooks struck out three and didn’t allow a run in two innings. She was relieved by Ashley Russo, who struck out three, through four innings.

“It speaks volumes about how much we work and the kids themselves and the great talent they have,” Drabecki said of the season her team has put together so far with the playoffs looming. “We’re on an awesome wave and I hope we still keep riding it.”