St. Anthony softball rallies in sixth inning to beat Burroughs, moves on to regional semifinals

LONG BEACH — When St. Anthony senior catcher Aimee Metz stepped up to the plate with her team down 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, she was ready to make something happen.

“It’s always pressure when you’re a senior and a team captain but I just have to know to stay within myself and breathe and just do my thing and that’s what I did,” Metz said.

Metz’s leadoff single was just what the Saints needed to begin a four-run rally in the sixth inning, powering them to a 4-2 win at home against Burroughs of Burbank in the CIF SoCal Regional Division III playoffs at Pan Am Park Tuesday afternoon.

St. Anthony (17-10) will play at Granite Hills of El Cajon, the No. 1 seed in the CIF SoCal Division III semifinals, on Thursday at 4 p.m.

“This team always believes they’re in the game until the last out,” said St. Anthony softball coach Joe Younger. “This isn’t our first time coming from behind late in the game to win it… This team fights until the end.”

In the top of the fourth inning, Burroughs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after an RBI single by sophomore designated player Alyssa Rosales and an RBI sacrifice bunt by sophomore right fielder Mia Ramirez.

St. Anthony’s four-run rally in the sixth inning began with a leadoff single by Metz, who went 2 for 3.

Burroughs then switched from junior starting pitcher Stevie Dabbadie, who threw five scoreless innings, to senior pitcher Kelsey Acosta, who started the game at second base.

Metz advanced second base on a passed ball, which put her in scoring position with no outs.

St. Anthony senior Jayla Cadena drew a walk, which put runners on first and second with no outs.

St. Anthony senior Rose Cano hit a fly ball to right field that dropped between fielders. That loaded the bases with no outs, Metz on third, Cadena on second and Cano on first.

Leomiti’s bunt single scored Metz, who dove across the plate before she could be tagged, making it 2-1 Burroughs.

An RBI single by St. Anthony freshman third baseman Miracle McKenzie scored Cadena to tie the game 2-2.

With the bases loaded, St. Anthony freshman Kween Taulau drew a walk, which brought home Cano, giving the Saints a 3-2 lead. Leomiti then made a heads-up play and stole home when the catcher wasn’t looking to make it 4-2.

Metz said she’s extremely proud of Cano, who pitched the first inning and then closed out the game in the sixth and seventh innings, and Cadena, who pitched the second through the fifth innings, a strategy by St. Anthony’s coaching staff that paid off.

“They’re both amazing pitchers,” Metz said. “I love both of them. I could throw both of them in there and I know they can do what they’re supposed to do.”

St. Anthony senior catcher Aimee Metz shares what it was like to get the Saints 4-run rally going with a leadoff single when her team was down 2-0 in the sixth inning. @SAHS20Athletics beat Burroughs of Burbank 4-2 in seven innings. @AimeeMetz2 pic.twitter.com/JnNpdNCQKf

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 1, 2022

Younger said he switched pitchers with the goal of keeping their opponent off-balance because he didn’t want Burroughs to face the same pitcher three times through the lineup.

“We didn’t want them making adjustments to either one of our pitchers,” Younger explained. “If it wasn’t for Jayla or Rose, we would not have had the season we’ve had this year.”

Burroughs softball coach Doug Nichol said even with a first-round CIF SoCal Regional loss, the Bears (22-11-1) made history.

“It started out on September 4, (2021) with workouts, and it’s now almost June 1 and it’s been an incredible ride,” Nichol said. “This team has done something that no one has ever done and that’s going to state and go to the CIF-SS semis, so I’m really proud of them. I’m proud of all the girls, they worked really hard, had good attitudes and they’re a fun group to be around.”

Burroughs softball coach Doug Nichol said he’s proud of his team’s historic season. It was the first time the softball program had ever made it to the CIF SoCal Regional. @ladailynews @Tarek_Fattal @SoCalVarsity pic.twitter.com/HuhOwwUCXx

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 1, 2022

Meanwhile, Younger said he’s looking forward to at least one more game with St. Anthony’s seniors, some of whom he has known since they were in elementary school.

“This gives us a little bit of new life, something to work for,” Younger continued. “I love this group. Anytime we get one more, I’m going to be happy.”

Cano, who finished with four strikeouts in three innings, stepped back into the circle and struck out two of the final three batters she faced to win the game.

St. Anthony softball coach Joe Younger said his team always believes they’re in the game until the last out. He said that mantra helped power a 4-run rally to pull off the 4-2 comeback win in the SoCal Regional against Burroughs on Tuesday. @SAHS20Athletics @presstelegram pic.twitter.com/lfpELrUQmI

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 1, 2022