In what’s become a bit of a theme for a young Glendale team this season, everything fell apart in one inning. Down, 3-0, headed into the fourth, the wheels came off for the Nitros as the Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division III, racked up seven runs on four hits, a walk and four errors — including one that put the leadoff batter aboard — in the inning.
“It just seems to be working out like that for us this season,” said Glendale Coach Christine Paknik, whose team fell to 5-10, 3-6. “It’s like the curse of the one inning.”
Duarte and Tiffany Pisa (two for two) both got their second RBI singles of the day in the fourth inning, which also included a two-run double from Lily Winn for Burbank, which had 12 hits in the win.
With five games left in the league season, the Bulldogs need three more wins to secure a league title with Crescenta Valley (10-8-1, 6-2) and Burroughs (14-6, 6-2) coming into Thursday tied for second place.
“I feel our girls really believe in themselves, they believe in us as a coaching staff and I feel they really want to accomplish a great goal for the city of Burbank,” said Bulldogs Coach Nicole Drabecki, whose team faces CV at home Tuesday and Burroughs in its league finale May 9.
Glendale will need to scrap and likely win out to have a chance at a playoff berth.
“It’s got to be a strong comeback,” Paknik said. “We’ve got to come out stronger every game. We have to leave the past behind us and move forward. It’s in their hands, now they have to get it out of their head.”
