The loss, coupled with a 7-3 defeat by Burroughs on Wednesday puts Crescenta Valley (7-2) at 1-2 in league.
Burbank (9-1, 2-0), which trailed for much of the game, stranded seven runners and was unable to cash in on many of their opportunities against a young Falcons squad that features eight underclassmen. But the hosts were able to fight their way back and made good on a prime situation in the seventh.
With one out, Bulldogs freshman starting pitcher Caitlyn Brooks singled to left field off Crescenta Valley sophomore right-hander Chloe Fairbrother. The next batter, junior left fielder Katie Hooper, reached base on one of five errors committed in the game by the Falcons. Fairbrother worked the count to 1-2 on Hernandez, who took the next offering and planted it firmly in the trees beyond the left-field fence.
"I was just trying to protect because I had two strikes on me," said Hernandez, a four-year varsity player. "I just thought if the next pitch was a strike I was going to swing at it. I just didn't want to strike out."
The home run capped a productive day for Hernandez, who went three for three with a double, three runs scored and four runs batted in.
The loss also overshadowed a solid performance from Crescenta Valley sophomore center fielder Hannah Cookson, who hounded the Bulldogs in the field as well as at the plate. Along with going four for four with a double, a triple and four RBI, she also threw a runner out at home plate and made five putouts, two on running grabs.
