The Burroughs Indians (11-9, 6-4) took to the field at
George Izay Park to face the Hoover Tornadoes (5-12, 2-5) for a second round game in the Pacific League. On the mound for the Indians was
Lizzie Peters, with
Katie Budrick behind the plate.
At the top of the 1st inning, Peters made short order of the Tornadoes with two ground outs and one strikeout. Burroughs was unable to score in the bottom half of the inning as six batters could not adjust to the Hoover pitcher (
Jade Terry had the only hit). Peters returned to the mound at the top of the 2nd inning, retiring the side with the assistance of the Burroughs defense. With one out in the bottom of the inning,
Angela Parker hit a double. Peters, hit by a pitch, reached first base.
Kerry Hodgins then sacrificed Parker home for the Indians' first score of the game.
The 3rd and 4th innings saw the Tornadoes offense take form as they sent a total of nine batters to face Peters, who gave up a single in one inning and a double in the other. However, the Tornadoes were unable to capitalize on their efforts and came away scoreless. The Indians stumbled in the same innings as they went down in order on three strikeouts and three groundouts. The 5th inning saw the Tornadoes stall as they went down 1-2-3 and Peters recorded her fourth strike out of the game. The bottom half of the 5th seemed like a wakeup call for Burroughs as they sent ten batters to the plate.
Cassie Colón, Casey Reichelderfer, Brittni Spear, and Parker all received walks. Hodgins and
Liz Hanna singled; Budrick slammed a triple to center field. By the time Hoover recorded the third out of the inning, Burroughs had pushed across five runs. The 6th inning had Peters logging in strikeout numbers five and six to retire the side. Burroughs opened their part of the inning with a well-hit ball that was caught by the Tornadoes' center fielder. Hanna then reached first base on an error but did not advance when Colón popped out to the shortstop.
Bri Casillas stepped into the box hoping to advance Hanna. On the second pitch, Casillas ripped a shot between left and center field. By the time Casillas turned the corner at second base, headed toward third, coach
Nick Schepperle frantically waved her home. Casillas dove for the plate and slipped under the tag for her first homerun of the season. Two batters later, the inning came to an end with Burroughs leading 8-0. Hoover entered the 7th inning facing their last chance at getting back into the game. Peters walked the first batter but the defense stepped up, producing two outs. Peters then brought the curtain down as she recorded her seventh strikeout to end the game.
Up next for Burroughs (12-9, 7-4) will be the Pacific League leader Arcadia (18-4, 11-0).