Softball: Burbank team continues to roll at Western Regional

SAN BERNARDINO >> Burbank Little League manager Rocco Buffolino went with his third pitcher in as many games at the Little League Weste Regional softball touament, and got a third consecutive quality start.

Kelsey Acosta struck out seven as Southe Califoia defeated Oahu’s Gold Coast Little League, 7-3, in the final Pool B game at Al Houghton Stadium.

“What makes us a good, strong team is our pitching depth, and we haven’t hit many obstacles yet so we’re going to keep going like we’ve been going,” Burbank LL manager Rocco Buffolino said.

It’s another bounce-back victory for Burbank LL (2-1), which despite its four losses overall, have not dropped consecutive games this postseason.

“I feel like after a loss we have this thing where everyone’s awake, everyone’s cheering and into it,” Isabella Scozzola said.

Scozzola jump-started SoCal’s offense with a leadoff double to begin the second iing, and came around to score on an error before Burbank loaded the bases and forced four more ruers across on a second Hawaii error for a 5-0 lead.

“I haven’t been hitting lately so I felt a responsibility to get a big hit,” Scozzola said.

Acosta held a 7-2 advantage into the bottom sixth but allowed a leadoff single to Nanea Kalua’u, who added Hawaii’s final run on a delayed steal of home.

“We weren’t focused or ready to play until the end of the game,” Hawaii manager Jerry Hiraishi said.

Acosta kept her command and finished with back-to-back strikeouts.

“My curveball was working and my teammates were behind me,” Acosta said. “It was a good game.”

Alyssa Valenzuela hurled a no-hitter in SoCal’s opener and Aie Buffolino struck out eight as Burbank lost its second game in extra iings.

“We’re talking 25 strikeouts and only three walks in 19 iings,” Buffolino said. “I think their biggest quality, though, is their ability to stay in the moment.”

Burbanks LL’s next game is yet to be determined. Southe Califoia’s 11- and 12-year-old champions will play either June 26 or June 27 in an elimination game.

“It’s kind of hard because you don’t’ know if you should prepare for tomorrow or the next day,” Acosta said.

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“Everybody wants to play on Thursday, but if we play on Wednesday we’ll be alright,” Scozzola said. “We’ve come back from bad situations before.”

UTAH 7, MONTANA 4 >> Santa Clara, Utah’s Snow Canyon LL (2-1) started Day 4 with a full head of steam, scoring in each of the first four iings to blow past Missoula, Montana’s Garden City LL (2-1) in Pool A.

Tyler Mooring had two hits and two RBI, and Joel Wilde had a two-run double to back Jea Thorkelson’s second win of the touament. Thorkelson allowed two eaed runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.

Arly Spry drove in two runs with a double in the fifth iing but Montana missed an opportunity to clinch a bye to Wednesday’s quarterfinal round.

NORCAL 13, IDAHO 0 >> Avery Jolley pitched a four-hitter as Yuba City’s Peach Bowl LL (3-0) claimed Pool B with a victory over Lewiston LL (0-3) in four iings.

Jolley needed used six strikeouts and 46 pitches (32 strikes) for Peach Bowl’s first shutout since its sectional touament, a 16-0 win over Oroville.

Kelsie Beck had two RBI and Jordyn Martins scored her seventh and eighth runs of the touament for the Northe Califoia champions, who extended their wiing streak to 13 consecutive games.

WASHINGTON 4, NEVADA 0 >> Amanda Winington pitched Mill Creek LL (3-0) to the No. 1 overall seed in the quarterfinals with a three-hitter over Sparks, Nevada’s Centeial LL (1-2) in Pool C.

Winington (2-0) is the only pitcher with two shutouts during pool play, nailing down her second on seven strikeouts and one walk.

ARIZONA 12, WYOMING 2 >> It was tougher than expected, but Casa Grande LL (2-1) wrapped up second place in Pool C with a win over Riverton LL (0-3) in the night cap.

Renae Mirada had two hits and two RBIs in support of Briana Jorgensen, who allowed both runs on two hits to get the win.