Burroughs comes out on top with a 10-6 win in game 1 of the 2-game series over crosstown rival Burbank in 9 innings

The John Burroughs Bears came away with a 10-6 win over their crosstown rival the Burbank Bulldogs behind a 4-run top of the 9th inning to snap a mini 2-game losing streak. The Bears entered this contest following an 8-3 loss to Arcadia to split the 2 games with them on Friday, April, 19th, and then a 7-4 loss to Simi Valley on Saturday, April 20th. The Bulldogs were coming off a 2-game sweep of the Crescenta Valley Falcons, the second win by the final of 6-0 also last Friday.

Before the first pitch, 5 graduating seniors from the Burbank Bulldogs baseball program were honored. Bryant Johnson (infielder), Miklo Reynoso (catcher/infielder/outfielder), Jake Reyes (Designated Hitter/first baseman), Ryan Sebastian (outfielder), and Nathan Zecena (infielder/outfielder), celebrated in a senior night pregame ceremony with their families to highlight their accomplishments and dedication to the team for the past 4 years. Following the senior night ceremonies, longtime head coach of the Burbank High School Baseball program, Bob Hart was honored for his 20 years of service with the Bulldogs baseball team and in Burbank High Athletics. Hart is currently the longest-tenured head coach in any sport at Burbank High School.

On the baseball field, the Bears scored the game’s first 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning with Eliot Ross and Nate Chapman scoring on errors charged to Adrian Vasquez and Jake Dibbie with Devin Whittenkiend reaching first base without recording a hit. Willian Armes drove in the game’s 3rd run with an RBI groundout. Jake Reyes drove home Ryan Sebastian while being out on a double play to get the Bulldogs on the board in the bottom of the 1st inning.

The Bears put up 3 more runs on the board in the top of the 2nd with Kyle Smith scoring on a throwing error by Colby Bette, with Bryan Martinez advancing to 3rd base on the play. Eliot Ross, Nick Fritz, and Whittenkind helped drive in runs.

The Bulldogs responded and put together a 5-run bottom half of the inning to draw even with the Bears. Tomas Angel jump-started the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd inning after getting on base with a leadoff walk. Angel was on third base, following a single and another walk, when Kenny Montgomery attempted to get him on a pickoff attempt. The pickoff was wild and Angel came in to score. Ryan Sebastian, Robert Snyder, and Jake Reyes added RBIs to help the Bulldogs tie the score at 6.

Both teams were held scoreless over the next six innings until the Bears put together a 4 run top of the 9th inning. Whittekiend, Dylan Connahan put Burroughs ahead and Kyle Smith punctuated the Bears rally with a 2-RBI single for a 10-6 lead.. Burbank was unable to start a comeback behind a Snyder 1-out single as Johnson popped out to end the game.

“I thought we did the opposite of what we worked on at practice, we put together great at-bats and drove the ball the opposite way,” said Bears coach Matt Maggllon. Maggllon praised pitcher Elvis Moreno for stepping up in a big way in the win for Burroughs tonight.

“Senior night is special. Those 5 seniors in Reynoso, Sebastian, Reyes, Johnson, and Zecena. (They) are the heart and soul of the program,” Hart admitted that he was touched by the support and love that he got in a pregame ceremony honoring his 20 years of service with Burbank High Baseball and their athletic programs.

Burroughs improves to 19-5 overall and 11-2 in Pacific League play while Burbank drops to 7-13 overall and 6-7 in Pacific League play. Both teams will meet again on Friday, April 26th at John Burroughs High School with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Prior to the first pitch of the series finale between the 2 crosstown rivals, 13 graduating seniors from the John Burroughs Bears baseball team will be honored and celebrated in a senior night pregame ceremony with their families. The Burroughs Bears baseball senior night festivities will take place at 5 p.m.