Providence volleyball team rolls to league championship

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Providence d. Oakwood, 25-13, 25-18, 25-22: The Pioneers secured their first Liberty League championship in 13 years Thursday by sweeping the Gorillas at home.

Providence (15-9, 9-1 in league) finished one match in front of Pacifica Christian (8-2 in league), a team that handed the Pioneers their lone loss in league.

“We needed to beat Oakwood or we would have to settle for co-league champions,” Providence Coach Josh Eggleston said. “And the guys really didn’t want that. It was a pride thing with them, and they came out and played with intensity and you could see they really wanted it.”

Strong play from Phil Harvey, DJ Cabrera and Taylor Saldana helped the Pioneers defeat Oakwood.

Burbank d Bellarmine-Jefferson: 25-22, 25-16, 25-21: The Bulldogs received eight kills from Derian Blandon and seven from Joseph Servin to turn back the Guards in a nonleague match Wednesday.

Burbank finished the regular season at 11-17.

Jason Gomez had 11 assists, Ryan Garcia had 10 assists, Elijah Cowart had 16 digs and Josh Wright had four blocks for the Bulldogs.

BOYS’ SWIMMING

Burbank, Burroughs in Pacific League finals: The Indians’ top finish came with a team effort in the 200-yard medley relay, a runner-up placement and CIF Southern Section Division II consideration time of one minute, 45.56 seconds. The group was made up of Max Young, Dexter Brown, Daniel Mairena and Brandon Olivas.

That group also picked up a consideration and runner-up time in the 400-freestyle relay (3:22.46). Brown, Young, Olivas and Casey Ueno then repeated that feat in the 200-freestyle relay in 1:31.63. Burbank’s Shane Pentkowski, Brian Kwon, Dante Nazarian and Ian Shovestull took fourth in the race in 1:35.45.

Kwon also took fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.54). Mairena was fourth in the 100 butterfly with a consideration mark of 54.44 and Olivas took fifth in the 100 freestyle (50.94), just in front of Pentkowski (51.41).

The Bulldogs took third in league with 215 points with Crescenta Valley (623) and Arcadia (402) taking the top two spots. The Indians wound up in fifth (174) behind Pasadena (198).

GIRLS’ SWIMMING

Burbank, Burroughs in Pacific League finals: The Indians took third in league with 276 points after they were just edged by Pasadena (286) and, like the rest of the teams, trailed first-place Crescenta Valley (594) by a bunch. Burbank took fifth with 212 points, behind Arcadia (267).

The Indians’ top finish came in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as Ally Jessen, Sara Jung, Micheala Salinas and Ahsha Earwood were runner-up in one minute, 49.19 seconds. Burbank’s Alin Katoromian, Ashley Hinterlong, Abby Glaessner and Seika Ha were third in 1:56.22.

Salinas, a sophomore, also posted CIF Southern Section Division II consideration times in the 200 (1:59.77, third) and 500 freestyles (5:19.62). Earwood also took third in the 50 freestyle (26.02) for the Indians. Melanie Odadjian took third in the 100 backstroke (1:08.27) for Burroughs.

BASEBALL

Burroughs 12, Glendale 0 (five innings): The Indians did their part to stay in contention for a Pacific League title with a mercy-rule win Friday on the road.

Burroughs (15-9, 9-2) received a one-hitter from pitcher Daniel Barraza, who went the distance to pick up the win.

Brian Pozos had a triple, two runs batted in, two runs scored and two walks for the Indians. Teammate Jimmy Cramer was two for four with two RBI and Luis Pereyra also had two RBI and scored two runs.

Crescenta Valley 4, Burroughs 2: The Indians suffered a Pacific League loss at home Wednesday.

The Indians had trouble figuring out Falcons starting pitcher Ted Boeke, who threw a complete game in which he allowed two runs, both unearned, on four hits, while striking out nine and walking three. He bookended the game with a perfect first and seventh inning, finishing with a final inning in which he needed just six pitches — all strikes.

SOFTBALL

Burroughs 9, Glendale 2: The Indians (17-7, 9-3) stayed in contention for second place in the Pacific League win a win Friday at Olive Park.

Crescenta Valley 10, Burroughs 7: The Indians couldn’t claim the Pacific League win Wednesday on the road.

While Crescenta Valley never trailed in the contest, an equally potent Burroughs offense made sure the home team never felt comfortable. The Falcons held an 8-3 advantage heading into the sixth inning when the Indians clawed back into contention with a two-run single from Kaitlin Okimoto.

It put Burroughs, which piled on 15 hits, back within two runs after a passed ball scored Tori Talavera, who was one of four players to single aboard, in the frame.

BOYS’ GOLF

Burbank, Burroughs in Pacific League Individual Tournament: The Indians and Bulldogs had players participate in Wednesday’s round at De Bell Golf Club.

Burbank, fresh off a second-place finish in league, had a trio of players compete in Brady Dunayer, Andy Chung and Austin Tatka. Chung shot a 78 to finish 10th at 397, followed by Dunayer (76 for 397 for 12th) and Tatka (101 for 426 and 16th place).

“We had a couple of tough breaks,” Burbank Coach Frank Childress said. “If anything, they learned that you have to play consistent throughout the year and we had a couple of blow-ups.”

Burroughs, which placed fourth in league and qualified for the playoffs, received a 79 from Daniel Kesicbasian to place 11th at 393.