The former Bulldog softball player guided the Bulldogs to 3 winning seasons and 4 CIF Southern Section Playoff appearances

Melisa Sanchez has resigned as Head Coach of the Burbank Bulldogs Softball Program after 5 seasons at the helm. Sanchez, a one-time Bulldog softball player(class of 2009), guided the Bulldogs to 3 winning seasons and 4 CIF Southern Section Playoff appearances during that span. This past season, The Bulldogs finished with a 12-13 overall record and a 5-2 record in Pacific League Play with an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs. 

Sanchez posted a 53–55-1 overall record and a 24-21 record in Pacific League play during those 5 seasons. Before becoming the head coach of the Burbank Bulldogs Softball team, Sanchez was a collegiate softball player at both East Los Angeles College and Cal State East Bay, spending 2 seasons at East Los Angeles College before transferring to Cal State East Bay. In her first season coaching the Bulldogs Sanchez guided the Bulldogs to a 4-3-1 overall record and a 1-1 record in Pacific League play in the 2020 shortened COVID season, while in her 2nd season, she guided them to a CIF Southern Section Playoff appearance where they lost to Santa Clara 7-3 in the 2nd round of the Division 5 Playoffs. Following the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the Bulldogs returned to the playoffs each year. Burbank fell to Temple City in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Playoffs in 2022 followed by losses to Filmore in 2023 and Paraclete in 2024. 

“With a heavy heart, I resigned from my coaching position at Burbank High School, reflecting on my immense gratitude for my incredible experience. From the talented athletes to the competitive games, wins, and losses, I’ve formed unforgettable bonds with my coaches, athletic directors, and players, making this journey truly special. The memories I’ve made with the girls I’ve coached over the past five years have shaped me into the coach I am today, and for that, I’m eternally grateful. I thank the parents, athletic directors, coaching staff, boosters, and fans who have supported me throughout my tenure – their contributions have made this experience truly unforgettable. As I move forward, I will always be a proud bulldog at heart.” said Melissa Sanchez in a statement on her resignation from her head coaching position with the Burbank High School Softball Program. 

“Coach Meli has sacrificed her life to develop young players who want to play at the high school level. She has led the program to many successful seasons and guided us to the playoffs during her tenure coaching the Burbank Bulldogs. We will miss her,” said Burbank High Athletic Director Allison McKain. McKain also stated that Coach Sanchez lives and embodies the sport of softball. The search for a new head coach for the program has already begun with Mckain, along with Edwin Taylor (Burbank High Assistant Principal of Athletics and Activities), and Narneh Barzegar (Burbank High Principal) will be part of the process of finding the next Head Coach of the Program. Taylor and Barzegar will have the final say on who takes over the softball program at Burbank High School. McKain stated that there is no strict timeline on when the school will decide who replaces Melisa Sanchez as head coach of the program, but admitted that they want to make sure whoever they choose is the right fit for the student-athletes and the softball program. McKain also said that Sanchez will continue with the program in a limited capacity. 

The new head coach of the program will be tasked to maximize the potential of 4 key returning players in senior pitcher Maddison Kellogg (Cal Baptist Commit), junior infielder and pitcher Kayla Orosco, along with 2 key sophomores in outfielder Chloe Updike, and catcher Kaia Mendoza. Other notable players that should contribute are seniors Charley Barnett (1st Base), Samantha Cafferty (Infielder & Pitcher), and Olivia Orosco (Utility). The Bulldogs will begin training for the 2025 season when the school year begins on Monday, August 12th.