Burbank turns in one-derful effort
NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Another chance equaled another day for the Burbank 9-10 Softball All-Star team in the District 16 consolation bracket final.
Burbank, which is made up of all-stars from the Bees and Bruins, scored in four of five innings and received a one-hitter from pitcher Lillyanna Travieso in eliminating visiting Crescenta Valley, 10-0, in five innings Saturday morning at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields.
With the triumph, Burbank earned another opportunity at redemption versus unblemished Foothill, which it plays today at 12:30 p.m. back at Scholl.
Foothill scored a come-from-behind 8-7 victory Friday afternoon over Burbank that vaulted it into Sunday’s title game.
A victory for Foothill on Sunday would clinch the district championship, while a Burbank triumph would force a winner-take-all final Monday at Scholl at a time to be determined.
“What a difference a day makes. These girls were sharp, they were focused. I can’t remember one real mistake that they made,” said Burbank Coach Shawn Broyls, whose team opened with a 15-3 win over Crescenta Valley on Thursday. “This was probably the crispest game I’ve seen all season.”
Even though Burbank only tallied six hits, the victors made a habit of taking advantage Crescenta Valley’s charity.
Burbank virtually iced the game thanks to a five-run first inning aided by four walks, two errors, one passed ball and three wild pitches.
The lone hits of the inning came from Katie Marando, whose single plated Victoria Garcia, and from Isabella Kim, who singled home Sidnie Dabbadie.
In the frame, Burbank added three runs via bases-loaded walks to Dabbadie and Shannon Walsh and on a fielding error that allowed Morgan Mersola to score.
Burbank’s next big inning was the third, where the home team added three runs on a two-run triple from Garcia (two runs and two runs batted in) that reached the left-center field fence and a subsequent RBI single from Travieso (two RBI) that plated Garcia and put Burbank ahead, 9-0.
The contest officially ended two innings later when Mersola (two runs), who singled and stole second base with one out, scored on a fielding error off a ball hit by Sabrina Englebrecht.
Burbank’s other run came in the second on a grounder from Travieso that scored Englebrecht (two runs).
“What’s most exciting is that we’ve improved even through the three games in this tournament,” Broyls said. “Our hitting got going, but our defense and pitching were great too.”
Travieso was dominant Saturday morning, as she struck out seven in her one-hit effort, while walking only two.
“I think I warmed up a little bit more today than yesterday,” Travieso said. “If I warm up [well] that makes me a better pitcher.”
Travieso fanned the side in the fifth and put down Crescenta Valley’s biggest threat in the first, when the visitors placed Karlie Vinceri at third and Hanna Wright at second with two outs, with a punchout.
Despite the score, Crescenta Valley had its highlights, including when reserve second baseman Miranda Delfino caught a rocket line drive from Walsh in the fourth.
Crescenta Valley’s pitching combo of Kathryn Thamasian (who led off the game with a single) and Natalie Bitetti also totaled six strikeouts.
“I love my team. We’ve only had a week to come together because half our girls were gone on vacation,” Crescenta Valley Coach David Wright said. “This is also a team of almost all nine-year-olds except for two 10 year-olds.
“We made a lot better contact today and I’m proud of the way we played.”