The Burbank Bulldogs begin year two of the Javier Rojas Era

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Lorenzo Antonio

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Rojas will look to guide the Bulldogs to a CIF Southern Section Appearance in year two 

A youth softball training session in a park with players practicing on a dirt field. A coach demonstrates techniques, while several players are engaged in drills among trees and clear blue skies.
A group of players practicing on a softball field, with one player throwing a ball to a catcher while others are positioned around the field. The scene is set under a clear blue sky with tall trees in the background.
A softball practice session on an outdoor field with players in black uniforms and a bright blue sky in the background.

After missing the CIF Southern Section playoffs a season ago, The Burbank Bulldogs will look to return to playoff form in year two under Javier Rojas. Rojas is entering his second season as the head coach of the Burbank High School Softball program as he was responsible for the team that went 9-15-1 overall and 5-4 in Pacific League Play. 

Two baseball coaches at a practice field, one preparing to bat and the other standing with a glove, while players practice in the background.
A softball practice scene showing players on a field, with one player preparing to hit, a pitcher in position, and others observing. Softballs are in buckets nearby.
Baseball players practicing on a diamond with mountains in the background, featuring one player batting and another in a catching position.

Rojas will have a new look on his coaching staff this season as Thomas Bernal will serve as the program’s junior varsity head coach and James Lombardo will serve as the program’s assistant varsity coach.

A baseball practice scene on a diamond with two adult coaches and a child player. One coach holds a bat and looks towards the field while the other directs from the pitcher's mound. Several softballs are in black buckets nearby, with mountains and trees in the background.
A baseball field in the late afternoon with players practicing. Two coaches watch from the infield, while players field ground balls. Green trees and mountains are visible in the background.

“I’m very excited about my second year as the head coach of the Burbank High School softball program,” said Rojas.

A group of people playing softball on a field with mountains in the background. One player is swinging a bat, while another is holding a yellow ball and walking towards a bucket.
Two men practicing softball on a sunny day at a field with mountains in the background. One man is swinging a bat while the other is holding a glove and ball.
A group of five individuals playing softball on a field during daylight. One person is preparing to bat, while others are positioned on the field.

He continued on to say “I feel like this time around is gonna be a lot easier for me because I know what to expect when it comes to scheduling games, practicing and for the girls to buy into my coaching style.”

Three individuals practicing baseball on a dirt field, with trees and a fence in the background.
Two men practicing baseball on a field, one swinging a bat and the other throwing a ball. Several buckets are visible in the background.

Rojas added that he was thrilled to add Lombardo and Bernal to the coaching staff, specifically that he and Lombardo see eye-to-eye on a lot of things with the varsity squad. 

A softball field with players in the outfield, palm trees in the background, and a scoreboard displaying 'GO BUREANKI'.
Two young female softball players practicing throwing on a dirt field, with a third player catching in the background. Trees and a chain-link fence are visible in the surroundings.

The varsity roster will have a different look this season. Though there will be seven returners from last spring, as the Maddison Kellogg Era has come to a close.

A youth softball field with players in black uniforms practicing. The pitcher is on the mound, the catcher is in position, and several other players are in the outfield. Green trees and mountains are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
A softball field with players warming up in the background. A man in a blue shirt sits on a chair near home plate, holding a glove and preparing to catch a ball.
A person in a blue shirt preparing to swing a bat at a softball being pitched on a field, with trees and mountains visible in the background.

The former Bulldogs ace will be playing college softball at Cal Baptist University this spring. Among the returners, this squad will feature team captains, juniors Chloe Updike (Reigning Pacific League’s Honorable Mention) Kassie Kimmer (returning all second team Pacific League Catcher), and senior pitcher/infielder Kayla McPherson. Also adding to the young core this season is freshman pitcher and infielder Addison Lombardo.

A youth softball game in progress, showing a batter in a black uniform preparing to swing at a pitch while a catcher in purple gear crouches behind home plate.
A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field, featuring a player at bat, a catcher in position, and a pitcher throwing the ball. In the background, other players are positioned in the outfield with mountains visible.

Kassie Kimmer led the team last season with 26 hits and  nine doubles. Defensively, she was second on the team in fielding percentage with .938. Kimmer is looking to be one of the anchors at the top of the lineup and become an elite catcher heading into her junior season. 

A sunny day at a sports field with green grass, palm trees, and people playing in the background.
A sunny park scene featuring a large green field with a person walking on the grass, surrounded by trees and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

“I can’t wait for the 2026 season,” said Kimmer “I’ve been working hard and excited to see where it translates this season,” Kimmer also added that playing with Chloe Updike is a great feeling and also talked about their friendship off the field. 

A youth softball game in progress, with a batter in a black uniform preparing to swing at a pitched yellow softball. Players in purple uniforms are positioned in the background, with trees and a blue sky visible.
A softball game in progress, showing a player rounding home plate with a catcher ready to receive. An umpire and several others are visible in the background.

Updike had a breakout season at the plate a season ago by leading the team with 11 stolen bases, 27 runs scored and was second on the team in batting average at .397. Kassandra Davila joins Updike as the two third-year juniors on the team.

A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field with players in purple and black uniforms. Trees and mountains are visible in the background and spectators are watching from behind a fence.
A softball field with a player pitching, surrounded by other players in the background. A coach is crouched down near home plate, watching the game. Palm trees and mountains are visible in the background.
A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field, featuring a pitcher throwing to a catcher, with players positioned on the field and a mountainous backdrop.

“I feel like that our team has a lot of chemistry this year and that everyone works together nicely,” said Updike. She added that she and Kimmer are looking to become role models to the young girls on a young team this season. 

A softball field during a game, featuring players in black uniforms. The sun is shining, casting long shadows on the infield, with mountains visible in the background.
A baseball or softball field with a player pitching in the distance, surrounded by spectators and trees under a clear sky.

Kayla McPherson, the only senior on the roster, transferred from Crescenta Valley High School last year. She enters her senior year looking to be a central leader for a young Bulldogs squad. McPherson posted a 0.70 ERA and posted a batting average of 240 as a junior. 

A softball player standing on the field, saluting, with palm trees and mountains in the background. Other players are positioned in the outfield, and the sun is setting.
A young female softball player pitches from the mound during a game, with teammates in the background on an outdoor softball field surrounded by trees.

“I’m really excited to push through and thrive with my teammates in my senior season,” said McPherson. She also added that she feels optimistic about getting more wins this season. 

A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field, with a batter preparing to hit and a pitcher in the background. Softball players are wearing uniforms and the sun is setting in the background.
A softball game in progress on a dirt field with a player in a purple uniform preparing to bat and an umpire behind home plate. The background features trees and mountains.

Addison Lombardo, who spent this past season playing with the 14u I5-McCurdy travel softball team is looking to make an impact on this team’s young core with sophomore Sienna Hale along with incoming freshman Heather Nielsen, and Cassie Sanchez. 

A softball game in progress, featuring a batter in a black uniform preparing to hit the ball, with a catcher in white gear nearby and players positioned in the outfield.
A softball player in a black uniform prepares to bat on a dirt field during a game, with players in the background and spectators nearby.

“I’m excited about my freshman season with Burbank High Softball.” said Lombardo, “The girls are amazing and they have welcomed me onto the team with class.” Lombardo also added that she has two great friends while playing travel ball for the I5-McCurdy squad. 

A softball field at sunset with players positioned in the outfield and infield, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field with a player preparing to bat, while other players are positioned across the field in the background.

The Bulldogs will kick off the 2026 season with a road contest at La Canada on Tuesday, February 17 at 3:45 p.m. Their home opener will take place on Thursday February 19 at McCambridge Park, Field 2 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific League play will begin on Tuesday, March 10 against Muir at 3:45 p.m. Senior Night, honoring Kayla McPherson, will take place on Thursday, March 26 against the Arcadia Apaches with first pitch at 6:00 p.m. The Bulldogs will play the Burroughs Bears at Olive Park Field 3 on Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. 

Softball game in progress at dusk, with players in purple jerseys positioned on the field and a batter preparing to hit.
A softball field during a practice session, with players in black uniforms positioned around the diamond. The sun is setting, casting warm light on the scene.
A young female softball player in purple prepares to bat while an umpire stands behind her, and players are positioned in the field during a game on a dirt baseball diamond.

The Bulldogs will be participating in the Santa Fe Tournament beginning on Saturday, March 7th and again on March 14th with opponents to be determined. Stay tuned for coverage of Burbank High School softball all season long.

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