GLENDALE — History was already made when the Burbank Diamondbacks and Burbank Bulldogs faced one another Monday in a Little League game.
Since its inception in 2001, there has never been an instance where two Burbank teams have played for a Tri-Cities District 16 Major Baseball championship.
Regardless of the outcome, a Burbank Little League squad would lay claim to the 2009 title.
Although the Bulldogs spotted the Diamondbacks a run early, they were able to turn up their offensive a notch to defeat the defending champions, 13-3, in a 10-run mercy-rule game at Babe Herman Field.
“I think that we really started to crest a few weeks ago, and we are playing our best ball of the year,” Burbank Coach Jim Noud said. “We figured it would probably take a very good effort to beat us in the championship game.”
The Bulldogs, who went 4-0 in the tournament, did their share of offensive damage, scoring six runs in the first and tacking on five in the second and two in the third in a game that was halted in the fourth inning.
The Diamondbacks, who used a huge come-from-behind effort Thursday in a 9-8 win against Crescenta Valley Gangi Builders to advance to the title contest, didn’t help themselves with their share of mistakes.
“Walks really hurt us,” Diamondbacks Coach Jonathan Malden said. “But you have to give credit to the Bulldogs, they are a very good bunch of hitters.”
The Diamondbacks took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Aidan Anding led off with a walk and moved to third on an error. He scored on in infield hit by Joey Khun.
The Bulldogs came roaring back in their half of the first, taking advantage of three walks, five passed balls and three wild pitches. A two-run double by Justin Lewis, and RBI-groundout by Thomas Wilson and a single by Danny Bustos did most of the damage in the inning
In the second inning, the Bulldogs took an 11-1 lead with five runs. An RBI-single by Jake Noud, a double by Connor Lockheimer, a single by Randy Higgins and a three-run home run to left-center field by Fischer Cabot accounted for the runs.
“It was just great to have two Burbank teams in the championship game for the first time,” Noud said. “It’s good for the city and good for the Little League.”
Danny Navarro was two for three with a run scored and Khun was two for three for the Diamondbacks, who got single runs in the third and fourth innings.
Lockheimer was two for three with two doubles, a walk and three runs scored, Cabot was two for two with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored and Chris Peres had a hit.
“Nobody expected us to even be in the championship,” Malden said. “I’m proud of our guys.”
