Uchida, Russo lift 'Dogs

SOFTBALL: Burbank earns mercy-rule win at home against Hoover, 10-0.
By Jeff Tully
Published:Friday, March 26, 2010

MCCAMBRIDGE PARK — It was a battle of young pitchers in their first season with their respective programs when the Burbank High softball team took on Hoover Thursday in a Pacific League game. With the Bulldogs’ No. 1 pitcher, freshman Chrystal Diaz, sidelined with an ankle injury, fellow freshman Ashley Russo got the start against the Tornadoes. Hoover started sophomore Briana Manzanero, a transfer from Burroughs.

Russo, who enjoyed success in the Burbank Little League program before coming to Burbank, had a no-hitter through four innings and gave up just one hit in helping the Bulldogs roll to a 10-0 victory at McCambridge Park. The game was called in the sixth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Burbank Coach Nicole Drabecki said she was pleased with Russo’s performance.“She has pitched in four of our 10 games, so she’s had some experience,” said Drabecki, whose squad is 7-3, 2-0 in league. “She had the no-hitter going and was doing well. I just think she got a little tired in the later innings and she was leaving the ball up a little.”

Hoover (3-3, 0-2) was coming off a fine effort against Arcadia. The Tornadoes were leading in Tuesday’s game, only to lose to the Apaches, 5-4.“We were hoping to build on what we did against Arcadia in this game,” Hoover Coach Rich Henning said. “But we just weren’t able to do that.“We are still taking baby steps, and I am happy with the way we’ve improved this season. We’ll get there.”The Tornadoes’ only hit was a single by senior Vanessa Dorado in the fifth inning.

Russo had three strikeouts and walked two. Read Full Story