Tribe Sets Record In Win

BASEBALL: Burroughs defeats Burbank, 7-1, to finish second in league and notch program’s first 20-win season.
By Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader
Published: May 15, 2009

BURROUGHS HIGH — There was still a great deal to be decided Friday in the final day of Pacific League baseball play. A group of teams — including Burroughs High and Burbank — were still trying to nail down their final placement in the league standings. The Indians needed a win against their cross-town rival, and a little help from Crescenta Valley, to win a share of their first league championship in 12 years. Burroughs did its job, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Burbank, 7-1, on its home field. Unfortunately for the Indians, the Falcons lost to Arcadia, 6-4, extinguishing any chances of a league crown for the locals. In the final league scheme of things, Arcadia (21-4, 12-2 in league) wins the title outright, finishing one game ahead of Burroughs (20-7, 11-3).Burbank (11-10-1, 9-5) and Crescenta Valley (18-9, 9-5) finish tied for third place.

The Bulldogs will go into the postseason as the No. 3 team from the league after winning a coin flip with the Falcons. The 20 wins for Burroughs is significant, as this season’s team is the first group to win that many games. Although his squad didn’t win a share of the league title, Burroughs Coach Tom Crowther is happy with his team’s effort this season.“We have won a few league titles in the history of our program, but we have never won 20 games before, so that’s special,” he said. “We would have been happy with a title, but we have to tip our hats to Arcadia.

”Burroughs received a fine pitching performance from senior Kyle Hart. Hart (6-3) went the distance, striking out 11 in a 112-pitch effort. Burbank did get to Hart early, as Chris Mott powered a solo home run to left field in the top of the first inning to give the visitors an early lead.“We knew that a one-run lead wasn’t going to stick,” Burbank assistant coach Kelly Saunders said. “We had our share of hits, we just couldn’t string enough of them together.”Burroughs tied the score in the fourth inning when Nick Bozman singled home Ray Palafox, who reached base on a hit. Bozman led the Indians’ offensive charge, going two for four with a two-run home run and three runs batted in. Palafox was two for three with a walk and two runs scored. The bottom fell out for Burbank and starting pitcher McCauley Taylor in the fifth inning, when Burroughs brought 10 players to the plate and scored five runs. Bozman’s home run, a two-run double by Erik Suarez and an RBI-single by Hart did most of the damage. The Indians added a run in the sixth. Burbank received a fine effort from Greg Koll, who was two for three with a double. It was the Indians’ 18th straight win against their rival and the 36th in 38 games.