Burbank softball uses early offense and dependable pitching to beat Burroughs

BURBANK — The Burroughs and Burbank softball teams met under the lights of Olive Park on Wednesday night. Red streamers and sparkles were draped over the dugout and stands as crowds from both schools packed out the humble softball park.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were spritzing glitter all over each other and making TikToks in their dugout, creating their own home-field atmosphere that would help them win the crosstown rivalry game 5-3.

“Being cute, looking cute, making TikTok’s just pumps us up and hypes us up for the game,” pitcher Maddie Kellogg said. “I block out the whole audience and I just throw into my catcher, just throw it into the glove.”

Kellogg, a Cal Baptist University commit with velocity in the low 60s, went the distance and recorded 14 strikeouts while giving up six hits in the win to help hand Burroughs its first Pacific League loss of the season.

The Bulldogs (10-10 overall, 5-2 in Pacific League) also got their offense going early with a two-run home run from Kara Valencia that drove in Eliza Bowren, who singled to get on base.

“With these kinds of games, the first one to score has the momentum,” Burbank coach Melissa Sanchez said. “That’s what we normally struggle with is putting up a run against these big teams in the Pacific League, so that home run was huge for us.”

Valencia kept the hits coming with a two-run triple in the top of the third inning and Burbank tacked on an unearned run in the same frame to take a 5-0 lead.

Burroughs (18-5, 6-1) loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning but weren’t able to break through offensively until the fifth inning. Karlee Earl doubled to bring in Eliza Torres and Alyssa Morales scored on a passed ball to bring the score to 5-2.

“The last two, three weeks we’ve been getting behind in games early,” Burroughs coach Doug Nicol said. “We’ve gotta figure out why this is happening because innings three through seven we’re fine. Today we just got off to another poor start.”

The Bears hit the ball far multiple times, but the Bulldogs’ fleet-footed outfield consistently positioned itself for outs. Burroughs’ Chloe Centeno sent a rocket to left field in the fourth inning, but freshman Chloe Updike ran to the fence for the catch.

“Our outfielders are really fast, so I trust them running in,” Sanchez said. “I do like to start them deep because I know (Burroughs) has great hitters. A lot of respect to the Bears, they’re a good team.”

Breana Tapia drove in Gizelle Rangsiyawong on a single in the seventh inning and the Bears were able to get two more runners on base, but Kellogg locked in for one final strikeout to finish off the game.

“I’m super excited,” Kellogg said. “I can’t wait to keep playing with these competitive teams because it’s so much fun. I love it so much.”

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