By Jessica SHUMATE, intern

Tuesday’s softball game was the classic showdown the girls of CV Softball look forward to year after year. Every season the Falcons must battle Burbank to fight their way up the Pacific Leaguet. This week, on CV dirt, the Burbank Bulldogs lost against the Falcons with the final score of 7-3.

The game picked up quickly with CV scoring right off the bat. Jessica Yzaguirre scored off of Kendall Ebert’s bunt in the first inning due to Burbank’s unsuccessful attempt of a double play. CV added another to the scoreboard when Ebert scored off of Sydnee Wells’ single. From then on Burbank improved their throws and their defense overall. Even then, the Bulldogs struggled up at the plate.

The win improved CV’s Pacific League record to 4-0, and kept pace with Burroughs for first place.

Freshman pitcher Taylor Hoogenhuizen kept Burbank on their toes with her change-ups and held the Bulldogs from scoring until the seventh inning.

“When our defense wasn’t up to par, our pitching stepped up,” said Head Coach Amanda Peek.

After a drought at home plate, senior Paige Baker went up to the plate with bases loaded and drove in three runs. Although intended to be a single, Baker rounded first as Burbank attempted to get an out at home. She was then thrown out at second but this had no negative effect on the team’s attitude as they greeted her back to the dug out with smiles and pats on the back.

“We focused on keeping our cool and playing as a team instead of as an individual. That way we were able to come together and feed off of each other’s energy,” said Baker.

As the game entered the seventh inning, Burbank gradually grew frustrated but channeled their anger with a good at-bat. Senior Julia Duarte picked up the momentum with a hard double followed by Cailey Stevenson’s triple. With only one out the Bulldogs had scored three runs. After two pop flies to first base and left field, the game came to an end. For the first time in four years, the Crescenta Valley varsity softball had beat Burbank with a score of 7-3.

Today the Falcons will face off again against Burbank. This season is the first time the teams in the Pacific League will be playing each other twice in a week. For the Falcons this could either benefit or hurt their season record.

“It’s kind of like a double-edged sword,” said Peek. “Whether you do well or not you have a chance for revenge. For them it’s going to be fresh in their minds for this Thursday.” At 3:15 p.m., the girls of CV will get the chance to defend their name on Burbank’s field.

  Jessica Shumate, softball