Rival win for Indians
BURBANK HIGH — Some might have seen Friday’s cross-town rivalry baseball game between Burroughs and Burbank highs as just a battle for third place.
The scenario was simple: The winner would finish third in the Pacific League and the loser would be relegated to fourth.
But any time the Indians and Bulldogs do battle, it’s always about a lot more.
In a game that featured solid pitching performances, along with some costly miscues, Burroughs was able to push across three runs in the eighth inning to earn a 5-2 victory at Burbank High.
The win enabled the Indians to split the two-game series with the Bulldogs.
“This was about the rivalry,” said Burroughs Coach J.R. Schwer, whose team finishes the regular season 12-15, 9-5 in league for third. “All these kids have known each other growing up and they want to win.”
Burbank Coach Bob Hart said there is always a great deal at stake when the rivals meet.
“It’ more than just where you’re going to finish in league,” he said. “The game’s always about more than that, and it always will be in this city.”
With the score tied at 2 after seven innings, the teams headed into extra frames.
The Indians scored three runs in the eighth on a ground-rule double by Brandon Lawton, a walk by Hector Gonzalez and an infield single by Casey Kenney. They were also aided by a Burbank error that scored two runs.
Burbank (14-15, 8-6) had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. With two out, Dylan Mersola singled to right field and Lonnie Kauppila and McCauley followed with walks. David Goldberg came to the plate with the bases loaded against Burroughs reliever Ryne Kahikina. Goldberg worked the count to full before Kahikina struck him out.
Kahikina came in relief in the sixth inning for starter Brett Rackie, who gave up two runs on five hits.
Burbank received a fine effort from starter Taylor, who surrendered two runs and five hits in seven innings.
Lawton was two for four with a double for the Indians and Ryan Favor was two for four with a double for the Bulldogs.
Burbank scored one run in the first and the Indians pushed across two runs in the fourth to take the lead. The Bulldogs tied he score at 2 with a run on an error in the sixth inning.
Both teams will play in the CIF Southern Section playoffs starting next week.