Burroughs softball begins title defense by blanking Glendale

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Burroughs’ Nikki Ricciardella hits a two-run double against Glendale at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Citlali Mendez makes a catch on an infield fly ball by Glendale at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Kylee Lousararian waits for a throw from the outfield as Burroughs’ Citlali Mendez slides safely into second base at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Alyssa Sinisterra nearly gets to the ball for a catch that just drops in front of her for a Burroughs hit at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Kylee Lousararian and Amanda Gonzalez look to see if there is still a play after Burroughs hit a very high fly ball that falls just out of Lousararian’s reach at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ starting pitcher Sidnie Dabbadie delivers her opening throws against Glendale in the first inning at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ starting pitcher Sidnie Dabbadie makes a play on a come-backer hit by Glendale and throws the batter out at first base at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ head coach Westley Tanigawa walks back to the dugout between innings in the game against Glendale at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s head coach Chris Funari calls in a pitch during the game against Burroughs at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Mia Storer hits a lead-off double in the fourth inning against Glendale at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Alyssa Sinisterra just misses a deep fly ball hit by Burroughs at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Andrea Chacon third baseman makes a play on a short hit by Burroughs and attempts the throw that gets to first base a little late at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s starting pitcher Aurora Funaro delivers a pitch against Burroughs early in the game at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Citlali Mendez turns a double play as Glendale’s Andrea Chacon approaches at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Nikki Ricciardella, after a Glendale ground ball initially gets through her glove keeps up with the play and throws out the Glendale runner for the final out of the game at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale’s Alyssa Sinisterra makes a play in left field on a Burroughs hit at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ shortstop Citlali Mendez makes a play on a Glendale hit and throws out the runner at first base at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Kaitlin Escamilla points to her bench after safely getting to second base off of an RBI bunt against Glendale at Olive Park softball field in Burbank on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Burroughs won the game by mercy.

(Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

By Charles Rich

March 27, 2018 5:40 PM PT

BURBANK — There’s a huge transition that’s expected to occur in the circle for the Burroughs High softball team.

Having lost stalwart starting pitcher Presley Miraglia for the season because of academic issues, the Indians have turned to a pair of sophomores to fill at least part of the void in their quest to win a fourth straight Pacific League championship.

Sidnie Dabbadie drew the starting assignment against Glendale in the Pacific League opener Tuesday and passed her first league test by tossing a one-hitter in a 10-0 five-inning victory at Olive Park.

“I came out and felt very confident with my control,” said Dabbadie, who will likely split the pitching chores with sophomore Isabella Kam in place of Miraglia, who was selected the league’s pitcher of the year last season and the 2016 All-Area Softball Player of the Year. “It’s definitely hard to come in [after Miraglia], but it’s an opportunity and you try to make the most of it.

“We had great energy out there and that helped settle the team down. I was able to hug the inside of the plate and get a lot of pop-ups and ground balls. It worked out well.”

Burroughs (2-3-1) improved to 23-0 against Glendale (6-1-1) since joining the Pacific League in 2007. The Indians, who split the league championship with Crescenta Valley last season, will meet thew Nitros again April 19 at Glendale.

Glendale’s lone hit came on an infield single by Andrea Chacon to start the second. Dabbadie, a right-hander, ended the inning with a 1-6-3 double play.

Dabbadie retired the final seven batters she faced.

“Sidnie came out real well and got the job done,” Burroughs coach Wes Tanigawa said. “It’s a big setback not having Presley here, but you see what your other pitchers can do and Sidnie got us going.

“We were able to keep things simple and we got the hits when we needed them. Timely hits. The season might be a struggle for us, but we’ll give it our best shot.”

Burroughs finished with 12 hits.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on a run-scoring single by Chloe Bookmeyer.

Burroughs scored three runs in the second to make it 4-0. An error by the catcher gave Burroughs a 2-0 lead before Jessica Amaya singled in a run to make it 3-0 and scored on a three-base error by the left fielder.

Citlali Mendez drove in a run to give the Indians a 5-0 lead in the third.

A two-run single from Nikki Ricciardella gave Burrough a 7-0 lead. Another run-scoring single by Amaya made it 8-0.

The Indians scored two runs in the fourth on an RBI triple by Bookmeyer and a sacrifice fly by Megan Williams closed out the scoring.

Burroughs received three hits from Mia Storer and two each from Amaya, Kaitlin Escamilla, Bookmeyer and Ricciardella. Storer, Bookmeyer, Mendez and Ricciardella scored two runs apiece.

Glendale coach Chris Funaro, whose team tied for fourth in league with Burbank last season, said the Nitros couldn’t get on track.

“Our defense wasn’t very good and most of their runs came on errors,” said Funaro, whose team committed four errors. “And then you only get the one hit.

“We have some things we can build on and some of our players had good efforts. It’s just a tough way to start league.”

The Indians and Nitros will compete in league games Thursday. Burroughs will be at Crescenta Valley and Glendale will be at home against Muir.

charles.rich @latimes.com

Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich