Softball

Mia Acosta, Sophomore, Pitcher, Bellarmine-Jefferson Transfer made an immediate impact in leading the Guards back to the CIF final. The All-CIF Southern Section Division VII first-teamer and Santa Cruz League MVP allowed just one run in the playoffs and none in league play, while posting a 13-3 record. Caitlyn Brooks, Freshman, Utility, Burbank Had a terrific debut season, as the All-CIF and All-Pacific League first-teamer posted a 16-5 record in the circle in leading the Bulldogs to the CIF quarterfinals.

Since advancing to their first CIF Southern Section championship game last season, players from the Bellarmine-Jefferson High softball team have made it a goal to return to the title contest this year. The Guards have been truly dominating in three postseason games thus far, and they are one victory away from achieving their goal. To qualify for its second consecutive Division VII championship, however, Bell-Jeff must win its semifinal game against a tough Rolling Hills Prep team.

SOFTBALL Burroughs 22, Muir 0 (five innings): The Indians stayed in the hunt for the Pacific League championship with an easy mercy-rule win Tuesday at Olive Park. Burroughs is 16-6, 8-2 in league. Jessica Little was two for four with five runs batted in and two runs scored and Dominique Santos had four RBI for Burroughs. BASEBALL Burroughs 13, Muir 1 : The Indians remained tied for the Pacific League lead with the victory Tuesday at Muir. Crescenta Valley (16-7)

SOFTBALL Burbank 13, Muir 0 (five innings) : The Bulldogs remained undefeated in the Pacific League with an easy victory Tuesday at McCambridge Park. The game was called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. Burbank (13-1, 6-0 in league) is ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division III. "We would have liked to play a more competitive team heading into the Burroughs game, but we've played our share of competitive teams this season," said Burbank Coach Nicole Drabecki, whose squad takes on second-place Burroughs at 6 p.m. Thursday at McCambridge Park.

BURBANK - In command with a huge lead entering the seventh inning, things appeared in order for the Burbank High softball team to extend its season. The Bulldogs were in control with ace pitcher Caitlyn Brooks in the circle and three outs from victory. They then encountered trouble before seeing their season come to a close in heartbreaking fashion. PHOTOS: Burbank softball in CIF second-round softball game   Second-seeded Burbank yielded five runs in the seventh and two in the eighth en route to an 8-7 home loss to Sunny Hills on Tuesday in a CIF Southern Section Division III second-round contest at McCambridge Park.

SOFTBALL Burroughs 9, Arroyo Valley 3 : The Indians received a three-hit, complete-game effort from pitcher Brice Edrington on Tuesday to earn a CIF Southern Section Division III wild-card win on the road. "This was just a great effort by our girls and I'm just so proud of them," said Burroughs Coach Doug Nicol, whose team is the No. 4 seed from the Pacific League. "We started the game with three runs in the first inning and we never looked back. " Edrington also did well at the plate, as she was one of four Burroughs (18-8)

GLENDALE - Caitlyn Brooks wasn't aware the Hoover High softball team averaged 16 runs per game in its first three games of the season. That suited the budding Burbank sophomore pitcher fine. Brooks turned in a performance Thursday afternoon that might not soon be forgotten while also serving notice that she plans to keep the Bulldogs in contention for the Pacific League championship. PHOTOS: Hoover vs. Burbank girls' softball “I didn't know anything about Hoover's offense,” said Brooks, who struck out 17 and allowed two hits to lead visiting Burbank to a league-opening 7-0 road victory against Hoover.

LYNWOOD - Providence High softball Coach Joel Curtis told his players they would have to cut down on their mistakes if they were to win their CIF Southern Section Division VII first-round game Thursday against host Firebaugh. "I pretty much told them before the game that we were going to have to play mistake-free ball if we were going to win," Curtis said. The Pioneers didn't do that. Mistakes led to early runs for the Falcons and that advantage grew through the latter innings, ultimately leading to a 12-1 loss on the road for Providence.