GLENDALE — The Burbank Diamonds definitely had the odds in their favor when they took on Crescenta Valley Muir-Chase Plumbing.
Prior to Wednesday’s Tri-Cities District 16 Little League Junior Softball championship game, the Burbank squad had defeated its rival seven straight times this season.
The endeavor was made more interesting for the Diamonds because they were missing three players — including two starters — for various reasons.
Although Muir-Chase was able to jump out to an early three-run lead, Burbank battled back to secure the championship, 8-4, at School Canyon Ballfields.
“We haven’t had to come from behind like we did [Wednesday],” said Burbank Coach Albert Hernandez, whose team lost just once this season, that coming by way of forfeit. “It was something that we weren’t used to at all this season.”
Despite the loss, Crescenta Valley Coach Chris Sanford had nothing but praise for his players. He said his squad continued to improve this season and it has nothing to be ashamed of finishing behind the Diamonds.
“The one thing about these girls is they never gave up,” said Sanford, whose group fell to Burbank, 6-4, June 6. “They also never hung their heads. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls.”
Burbank was able to win back the Junior championship after losing the title last season to Crescenta Valley. Prior to 2008, the Diamonds claimed the title two straight years.
It looked like that title might be in doubt early on Wednesday, as Muir-Chase pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning.
A run-scoring triple by Katie Benson, a triple by Whitney Craig and a single by Jessica Morena did most of the damage in the first.
Craig was two for four with two triples and two runs scored and Morena and Amber Alsamman had two hits each.
Burbank was able to get one of the runs back in its half of the first, as Katie Hooper singled in Ashley Russo — who had singled — to cut the lead to. 3-1.
“Once we got that one run, the girls realized that they were going to be able to battle back,” Hernandez said. “They were able to settle down after that first inning.”
The Diamonds grasped hold of the lead in the second inning by pushing across five runs. Along with five hits, they took advantage of four Muir-Chase errors in the inning.
Run-scoring singles by Russo and Gabriella Chamberlin and singles by Jessica Sanchez, Molly Holt and Valerie Stein contributed to the offensive charge.
Russo played well, getting the win in the circle, as well as enjoying a big effort at the plate. Russo was four for four with two doubles, a run batted in, four runs scored and two stolen bases.
Burbank scored a single run in the fourth on an RBI-ground out by Sanchez to take a 7-3 lead.
A run-scoring single by Brady Sanford in the fifth inning gave Muir-Chase its only other run. Burbank tacked on its last run in the sixth.
Hooper was two for three with a double and Regina Riojas had two hits for the Diamonds.
