Crescenta Valley

LA CRESCENTA - It was a battle for second place in the Pacific League when the Crescenta Valley High and Burbank girls' tennis teams met Thursday afternoon. With Arcadia already running away with the league, the Falcons and Bulldogs have been able to distance themselves from the remainder of the other squads in league. The winner Thursday would have the inside track for the league runner-up spot mid-way through the league campaign. Bolstered by a singles sweep, Burbank took a big step in that direction with a 13-5 victory at Crescenta Valley.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - Even with a double-digit lead and three outs away from seeing the Burbank Junior All-Star baseball team advance to the Section 2 Tournament, Burbank Manager Mike Lockheimer wasn't taking anything for granted Wednesday night. He remained aware Crescenta Valley had the capability of mounting a comeback, having witnessed it Tuesday night. When the final out was recorded Wednesday, Lockheimer breathed a sigh of relief. "With a big lead, I still wasn't comfortable," Lockheimer said after Burbank recorded a 24-14 victory against Crescenta Valley in the District 16 if-necessary championship contest at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields.

TUJUNGA — With darkness falling and the game in extra innings Tuesday, the Burbank Junior All-Stars scored three runs in the top of the eighth and were just three outs away from capturing the District 16 Tournament championship. But Crescenta Valley had no thoughts of packing it in. Taking advantage of four walks in the bottom of the eighth, Crescenta Valley battled back, and when Robert McNelis scored from third base on a high chopper to second, it had completed an improbable 15-14 comeback at Tujunga Little League Fields.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Power bats and slick fielding weren't just the norm for the Crescenta Valley Major All-Star baseball team throughout the District 16 tournament the last five days. Those hallmarks were also present in Tuesday afternoon's championship game versus host Burbank, as Crescenta Valley scored five of six runs via the long ball and came up with some clutch defensive plays in a 6-3 victory at Babe Herman Field. With the victory, Crescenta Valley advances to Saturday's Section 2 Tournament opener at El Dorado Little League Field in Lancaster, where it will play Encino at 6 p.m. "Some of our sticks that had been hitting the snot out of the ball took off tonight," Crescenta Valley Manager Michael Vinceri said.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - With the additional time spent in the batting cage, it's no wonder why the members of the Crescenta Valley 9-10 All-Star baseball team are prepared and confident when they step into the batter's box during a game. Nearly each day, all 13 of the Crescenta Valley players spend about 20 minutes apiece perfecting their swings in the cage. It's paved the way for success during the postseason. Crescenta Valley pounded out 13 hits Tuesday afternoon en route to a 14-1 victory against Burbank in the District 16 Tournament championship game at Babe Herman Field.

 GLENDALE - Behind a solid pitching performance and timely hitting that complemented good base running, the Burbank 9-10 All-Stars set themselves up for a rematch against a team who looked to be their superior just two days prior. With the 12-2 win over Vaquero in the District 16 Tournament on Monday at Babe Herman Field, Burbank will again face an undefeated Crescenta Valley squad at 5 p.m. today at the same venue. "I'll be honest, it's going to be tough," said Burbank Coach Tony Castiglioni, whose team lost to Crescenta Valley, 19-2, on Sunday.

ARCADIA - With the Crescenta Valley High, Burbank, Burroughs and Arcadia boys' golf teams having already clinched postseason berths, the first round of the Pacific League Tournament on Tuesday afternoon focused more on the field. Sixteen players - including 10 locals - from the field of 36 kept their bids alive for the league's individual crown at Santa Anita Golf Course. The group, which is determined by overall league scoring for the year as well as Tuesday's results, will compete in the tournament's individual final at 1 p.m. today at the same site.

BURBANK — While its dominance temporarily wavered midway through Friday's Pacific League match, the Burroughs High boys' volleyball team regrouped in plenty of time to keep Crescenta Valley from getting close to an upset on the road. And although the Falcons made a strong run at getting back in the match after coming alive down the stretch in the second game, the Indians rediscovered their intensity in the third game to finish off their 25-13, 25-21, 25-17 sweep just as solidly as they began.

BURBANK - Burbank High's softball team and Coach Nicole Drabecki believe they have a legitimate shot to contend for a Pacific League championship this season. However, as opponents have discovered for almost a decade and a half, winning a league title has to go through Crescenta Valley. The Falcons have earned that respect, having won or shared 13 of the last 14 league crowns. The Bulldogs gave credence to their championship quest with a dramatic come-from-behind victory Thursday at McCambridge Park.

Francisco Baez was an invaluable member of a Burroughs High boys' soccer team that was able to turn its season around. Beginning the year with a 1-5-1 record, the program's worst start since 1985, the Indians came on during Pacific League competition and finished second behind a strong Crescenta Valley squad that went on to win a CIF Southern Section Division III championship. Baez helped lead the turnaround, breaking the program record for goals in league and putting together a string of high-scoring results.