Devin Whittekiend pitches a complete game shutout, striking out 13 batters in the win 

In game one of the battle of Burbank, the John Burroughs Bears shut out the Burbank Bulldogs 4-0 behind the complete game shutout performance by Devin Whittekiend. Last week, Burbank split their two games with the Crescenta Valley Falcons, and Burroughs got swept by the Arcadia Apaches. 

This was also the final home game for six graduating seniors on the Bears roster. Andrew Cosio, Zach Byars, Kenny Montgomery, Chase Robinson, Elvis Martinez and Kyle Smith were all recognized before the game and after the game as part of the senior recognition night for the Burroughs Bears. Previously, the six seniors had their senior night ceremony back on Friday, March 28th, before their game against Muir. 

Devin Whittekiend was flirting with a no-hitter for the first four innings until Orion Bell broke it up in the top of the fifth inning with a single. Whittekind started off the night by retiring the side in order in the top of the first inning and then drove in the game’s first run in the home half of the first inning with a two-out RBI single to drive in Zach Guevara. 

Slater Mersola increased the Bears’ lead to 2-0 in the home half of the fourth inning by driving home Jack Smith on a sacrifice fly. The Bears had opportunities to break it open in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Jake Rauenswinder and Logan Drossin both left Zach Byars stranded at second base to end the inning. The Bears then put a four-spot on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning as Zach Guevara and Jack Smith drove in the most important insurance runs to put the game away from the Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs failed to capitalize in the top of the sixth inning with Jeremy Lee leading off the inning with a single. Andrian Vasquez, Michael Bui, and Tomas Angel failed to bring Lee home as he was left stranded at first base. Whittekiend worked around Taylor Pryor’s two-out single and Julian Recinos’s two-out walk by striking out Robert Snyder to end the game. 

“I thought Devin Whittekiend threw a heck of a game, and offensively, we got timely hits but had a great game plan to get to Colby Bette,” said Matt Magallon. Magallon also calls Bette one of the best pitchers in the Pacific League and had high praise for the Burbank Bulldogs’ ace. 

“Colby Bette is always a gamer. He did a great job out on the mound despite the loss to Burroughs,” said Bob Hart. Hart added that he did not like how the Bulldogs performed offensively at the plate but praised Devin Whittekiend for his outing on the hill for the Bears. 

Burroughs improves to 19-7 overall and 9-4 in Pacific League play, and Burbank falls to 8-10 overall and 6-7 in Pacific League play. The series will shift to Burbank High School on Friday, May 2nd, with  first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. Before the game, the Burbank Bulldogs baseball program will honor its graduating seniors in a senior night pre-game ceremony with festivities expected to take place at 6:00 p.m. Both teams will come into Friday night’s contest with a lot to play for as Burroughs will look to either lock up second or third place in the Pacific League. Burbank will be looking to get into the CIF Southern Section Playoffs either with a fourth place finish or an at-large entry.