Stars

NORTHEAST 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.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - With each inning, Justin Rountree could feel the pressure of the situation. The Crescenta Valley Junior Baseball All-Star had two jobs to fulfill - keep his team in the game on the mound and pick up a key hit to support the team and himself - on Monday night during an elimination game in the District 16 Tournament at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields. Rountree passed both tests. Rountree delivered a game-winning single in the top of the eighth inning and pitched three scoreless innings in relief to help Crescenta Valley post a 3-2 victory against Foothill.

MONTROSE - Maybe it was the 9 a.m. first pitch. Maybe the guys just aren't morning people. Whatever the cause, the Foothill Major All-Star baseball team got off to a slow start against Vaquero on Saturday in the consolation bracket of the District 16 tournament. Then it woke up in a big way. Foothill rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat Vaquero, 5-4, at Montrose Community Park and advance to play Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans today at 5:30 p.m. at the same venue.

MONTROSE - While it was Burbank's offense that delivered a lopsided win over Crescenta Valley in the District 16 10-11 All-Star baseball tournament opener, Burbank Coach Thomas Magoon credited the defense as the first spark. Burbank's offense exploded for 13 hits against six Crescenta Valley pitchers for a 10-1 victory Saturday at Montrose Community Park. Five Burbank batters - Carter Kessinger (two for four), Jacob Barrera (two for four, three runs batted in), Gio Zamora (two for three, RBI)

SOUTHWEST GLENDALE - Andres Rivera isn't afraid to look himself in the mirror. At least twice a week, Rivera will spend some time standing in front of a giant mirror in his room and work on his pitching delivery. It's played a vital role in helping the Vaquero 9-10 Baseball All-Star examine his mechanics. Rivera wasn't too shabby facing live batters in his latest outing, as he struck out 10 and allowed a pair of hits in 4 2/3 innings Thursday afternoon to help Vaquero post a 6-0 District 16 opening-round win against Tujunga at Pacific Park.

TUJUNGA - Through two innings, there was virtually no difference in play between the Foothill and Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans 11-12-year-old Major baseball teams in the opening round of the District 16 All-Star Tournament. That was until visiting Jewel City scored three runs in the third inning and continued an offensive assault Foothill was unable to sustain in an 8-2 victory Thursday afternoon at Tujunga Little League Fields. With the triumph, Jewel City earned advancement into today's second round of the winner's bracket and will face Burbank at 5 p.m. Foothill dropped into the consolation bracket and will battle either Tujunga or Vaquero in Saturday's elimination round at 9 a.m. "I don't know what was more impressive, our hitting or pitching," Jewel City Coach Phillip Palmer said.

As coach of Warren Printing, Mike Vinceri watched his team slug its way to the District 16 Major Baseball Tri-Cities championship in June. As coach of the District 16 Crescenta Valley Major Baseball All-Star Team, he's looking for a similar pattern to continue in July. Some of the players from Warren Printing will be a part of Crescenta Valley's squad, leaving Vinceri eager to see if the offense will continue its torrid hitting. "It will be interesting seeing if the bats do come alive again, but you are also now facing tougher competition," said Vinceri, whose team will look to repeat as tournament champion.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - With a quality pitcher tossing strikes and an agile lead-off hitter getting on base with consistency, it's not hard to determine why the Burbank District 16 9-10 All-Star Team has been successful. Though Burbank played its fifth game in as many days Monday night, Mia Coomes and Isabella Kam showed no sign of fatigue. Coomes struck out 10 and Kam collected four hits to help power Burbank to a 15-4 victory against Foothill in the if-necessary championship contest at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - A pair of Crescenta Valley 10- and 11-year-old softball players mentioned after Saturday's Little League contest that they couldn't wait to smack the ball against the pitchers from the Vaquero/Jewel City-Jewish War Veterans squad. Peyton Marshall said she was impatient, and described teammate Brianna McReynolds as "feisty," at the plate and in the circle. But Marshall and McReynolds didn't get many opportunities to hit because they had to remain patient against two struggling pitchers.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE - With his team clinging to a one-run lead and three outs away from victory, Crescenta Valley All-Star Major Softball Coach Dave Fox figured it would be tough to protect the advantage. He figured right. Crescenta Valley saw its bid to repeat as champions take a hit after it surrendered four runs in the top of the sixth inning en route to an 8-5 loss against Tujunga on Friday night at Scholl Canyon Ball Fields. "It was a well played game by both teams," Fox said.