Karlee Earl Seals Victory for Bears in Senior Night Blowout

Karlee Earl records a two-run RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning to complete the blowout win over the Bulldogs

A youth softball team in uniforms sits on the grass during a night practice while coaches discuss strategies.

A softball team lined up along the field at dusk, preparing for a game or celebration. The field is marked with a pitcher's mound and bases, and the year '2026' is displayed in the background.

On a Wednesday evening Senior Night celebration for the John Burroughs Bears’ softball program, the Bears came away with an 11-1 mercy-rule win over their cross-town rivals the Burbank Bulldogs. Karlee Earl’s two-run RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning sealed the victory.

A youth softball game in progress on a sunny day, featuring players on the field and an umpire at home plate, with spectators in the background.

Youth softball game in progress at a baseball field, with players positioned on the field and spectators in the background.

Both teams played the day before. Burbank defeated Pasadena 21-3 in a battle of the Bulldogs contest and Burroughs came off a 21-0 win over Hoover.

A youth softball game in progress, with a batter preparing to hit while a pitcher throws from the mound. Spectators are seated in the background, and the field has a dugout and fencing.

A youth softball game in progress on a field with players in blue and white uniforms. The stands are filled with spectators, and a referee is visible near home plate.

The Bulldogs started quickly in the top of the first inning with the game’s first run. Kassie Kimmer reached base with a walk, which was followed by Addison Lombardo hitting a single to put runners on first and second with no outs.

A youth softball game in progress on a dirt field, featuring players in white and blue uniforms, an umpire behind the catcher, and spectators in the background.

A youth baseball game in progress, featuring players in white and blue uniforms on a sandy field with a clear blue sky and trees in the background.

Chloe Updike and Kayla McPherson both struck out, which presented a two-out RBI opportunity for Priscella Sanchez. Sanchez reached base on a throwing error by Karisma Mendez, which brought home Kassie Kimmer with the opening run. Valentina Reyes then struck out Alyssa Perez to end the top of the first inning.

A softball game in progress at a field with players in blue and red uniforms, an audience in the stands, and trees in the background under a clear sky.

A softball field with players in blue uniforms, a catcher in gear, and a pitcher on the mound under a clear blue sky.

In the home half of the first inning. Kayla McPherson retired the first two batters she faced before the Bears exploded with a four-run inning with two outs.

A view of a softball game in progress, featuring players on the field and spectators in the background, under clear skies.

A sunny day at a softball field, with players in blue and white uniforms on the field and spectators nearby. The background features trees and park facilities.

Earl got the Bears offense going when she reached base on an error charged to Updike who dropped the ball in center field. Kalani Miramontes reached base with a walk. Chloe Zavala, Sydney Sugar and Ali Cortez had consecutive two-out RBI hits to break the game open.

A youth softball game in progress on a sunny day, with players in blue and red uniforms positioned on the field, and a batter preparing to hit.

Youth softball game in a park, showcasing players in blue uniforms on the field and a clear blue sky.

Following a rough first inning for Reyes in the pitchers circle, she managed to work around a one-out walk allowed to Isabel Villagran by striking out Sienna Hale and getting Kimmer on a fly out to center in the top of the second inning.

A youth softball game in progress, featuring a batter in white at home plate and a pitcher in blue ready to pitch. Players are positioned around the field, with audience members visible in the background.

A softball game in progress with players on the field and a batter preparing to hit. The scene shows a clear blue sky and trees in the background, with spectators watching from the sidelines.

Zavala hit her second RBI double of the game, driving in Sophie Rangiyawong and Haven Vickers to put the Bears up 6-1. Sugar stranded Zavala at second base when she grounded out to second base to end the home half of the second.

A youth baseball game in progress at an outdoor field with players positioned on the diamond, clear blue sky in the background.

A softball game in progress with a batter in white preparing to hit, a catcher in blue crouching behind home plate, and players in blue positioned on the field. The scene features trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

In the top of the third inning, Chloe Updike reached base with a one out single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt attempt by McPherson. McPherson reached first on a fielding error charged to Zavala while Updike advanced to third base.

A youth softball game in progress on a sandy field, featuring a batter preparing to swing while the catcher is in position and several players in blue uniforms in the outfield. Spectators are seated in the background along the fenced area.

A youth softball game in progress, showing players in various positions on the field with spectators in the background.

Pinch runner Melanie Cendejas and Updike were both caught stealing second base and home plate respectively to end the top of the third. McPherson then retired the side in order in the bottom of the third inning.

A baseball field with players in uniform practicing; tall trees and a building in the background under blue sky.

A softball game in progress at a well-attended field with spectators in the background, trees in the distance, and players in white and blue uniforms.

Both the Bulldogs and Bears were held scoreless in the fourth inning. Reyes continued her pitching dominance in the circle by retiring the side in the top of the fifth inning.

A softball game in progress with players on the field and spectators in the stands, featuring a banner that reads 'JBHS Softball.'

A softball game in progress at JBHS, with players on the field and a crowd of spectators in the stands.

The Bears added four more runs on the board to complete the Mercy Rule win over the crosstown rival Bulldogs.

A baseball field scene with players on the field, a crowd watching from the stands, and trees lining the background under a blue sky.

A baseball field during a game with players on the field and a crowd in the stands, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.

“It was great to honor the five seniors on the Burroughs softball team and for us coaches to make it a special night for them.” said Doug Nicol. Nicol added that Earl, Franco, Perez, Acevedo, and Mendez are great young ladies that will go on to do great things in life.

A group of people celebrating on a softball field, dressed in red and black. Balloon arches in red and white are present, along with signs that say 'SENIORS'. Everyone is smiling and holding flowers.

A group of people standing on a softball field, celebrating a special event. In the center, a player wearing a white uniform holds flowers, surrounded by family and friends, with a decorative balloon arch in the background and mountains visible in the distance.

Prior to the first pitch the Burroughs Bears softball program paid tribute to their five graduating seniors in Hailey Perez, Eva Acevedo, Karlee Earl (team captain), Hailey Franco (St Joseph’s softball commit) and Karisma Mendez.

A group of people celebrating at a softball field, with a young woman in a white uniform holding flowers at the center. The background features an arch of red and white balloons, trees, and a clear blue sky.

A group of people gathered on a softball field, celebrating a player, holding flowers, signs, and balloons, with a backdrop of trees and mountains.

Earl spent all four years on the Burroughs varsity squad and was part of the Bears Pacific League title teams in 2023 and 2025. That 2023 team advanced to the CIF Southern Section Semifinals.

A softball field with a green lawn, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky. The field includes bleachers and a scoreboard in the background.

A softball field with white and red signs reading 'SENIORS' and '2023'. The background includes trees and a clear blue sky.

“I thought it was a very cherishing moment for me and my fellow senior teammates,” said the Bears senior captian. “It was a great way to say goodbye to the sport that we loved playing and it was a great opportunity for us to connect with everyone that followed Burroughs softball.”

Stadium bleachers decorated with colorful signs supporting students, under a shaded canopy, with balloons in the background.

A decorated softball field with a colorful balloon arch and large 'SENIORS' sign, set against a clear blue sky and trees in the background.

Earl also added that Sophie Rangsiyawong as a junior captain brought a different perspective in becoming a leader for the team.

A softball field with a large balloon arch in red and white, celebrating a milestone with illuminated numbers '2026'. A coach stands on the field, while a player in a white uniform, holding a glove, runs towards the camera.

A softball player in a black and white uniform stands on the field, watching as an umpire in a white shirt walks towards the pitcher's mound. In the background, there is a colorful balloon arch made of red and white balloons, and the landscape features tall trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.

Not only did Perez, Acevedo, Earl, Franco and Mendez receive the spotlight on senior night, Burroughs co athletic director and former baseball and softball coach Jose Valle threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

A person standing on a softball field under an arch of red and white balloons, with large numbers '20' and '26' displayed on either side.

A softball field view showing players in blue and white uniforms lined up for a ceremony, with a speaker and an arch made of red and white balloons in the background.

Valle will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year in May from his roles as co athletic director and health teacher at John Burroughs High School.

An evening youth baseball game in progress with players on the field and a crowd of spectators in the background.

A softball game in progress with players on the field and a large crowd in the stands, some cheering and holding banners.

Burroughs improves to 14-8 overall and 6-1 in Pacific League play and Burbank falls to 3-9 overall and 3-4 in Pacific League play. Burroughs will play Dos Pueblos and Temecula Valley in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m and 12:00 p.m. Burbank will take on Glendale at McCambridge Park field two in the Pacific League tier contest on Thursday April 23rd at 3:45 p.m.