Burbank softball drops to 0-2 in West Region Tournament

It’s been a phenomenal summer for the Burbank Major All-Stars softball team.

That said, the start to the West Region Tournament in San Bernardino has been just the opposite.

Burbank fell behind early Saturday evening as it gave up three first-inning runs on the way to a 5-2 loss to Washington at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino.

With the defeat, Burbank fell to 0-2 in the tournament and in Pool A play.

Burbank opened with a 14-8 loss to Oregon on Friday.

Needing to take one of the top two spots in the pool, which includes Washington (2-0), Oregon (1-0), Northern California (1-0), Arizona (0-1) and Nevada (0-1), Burbank will need to win out with games remaining against Nevada on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday against Northern California at 5 p.m.

Burbank was essentially handcuffed by Washington pitcher Makayla Miller, who went the distance, allowing three hits – to Burbank’s Angelie Burmeo, Erika Montoya and Melissa Orozco – and two unearned runs while striking out seven and walking two.

Mia Garcia went 3 2/3 innings for Burbank, allowing four runs (two earned), just one hit, but five walks and striking out four. Alyssa Valenzuela threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing a run, one hit and walking two, as free passes issued by Burbank propelled Washington’s offensive success from the get-go.

After Burbank went down in order to begin the game, Washington’s first two batters in the bottom of the first walked before a Kiley Hubby infield single brought the score to 1-0. A groundout brought the score to 2-0 and a wild pitch with two outs brought it to 3-0.

Thus, with just one hit, Washington plated three runs and set the tone for a game in which it had just two hits to Burbank’s three, but never trailed.

Burbank, representing Southern California after winning District 16, Section 2 and Division III titles, cut the score to 3-2 in the top of the fourth.

With Burmeo singling with one away and Memorie Munoz following with a walk, A’sia Morales drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Montoya then reached base on the only error of the game by either team, which pushed Burmeo across for a 3-1 tally. Munoz then scored on a wild pitch to cut it to 3-2, but that was as close as Burbank would get.

Another Washington run came around on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth before Washington’s final run in the fifth came via a pair of walks and a single.

Following a leadoff single by Orozco to start the top of the fifth, Burbank’s last six batters were retired in order.