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Tag: Maddison Kellogg

  • Softball Preview: Burroughs, Burbank, Providence, Expect Successful Seasons

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    Burroughs hopes to win another Pacific League title. (Photo courtesy Doug Nicol)

    By Rick Assad

    It’s that time of year again when the sun is bright and there is not much wind and balls are being struck and pitchers are trying to get batters out.

    Softball is about to commence for three local teams and each has an air of confidence in their ability.

    Burroughs High, Burbank and Providence are stacked with talent and are hopeful of playing well during the nonleague and league schedule.

    The Bears went 21-7 in all games and 8-1 in the Pacific League for first place and lost to Tesoro 10-2 in the CIF Southern Section Division II opening-round game.

    Doug Nicol has coached Burroughs softball for years and feels that the campaign is going to be something special.

    “I am very excited for this season. We have a team that has worked really hard in our offseason strength and conditioning program,” he said. “Our players really improved physically, and the results have shown with a very successful fall season. We also have so many quality kids who have embraced our culture and are high character young ladies.”

    Nicol went on: “We have pushed them really hard this offseason, and they never backed down from the challenge. I think the sky’s the limit with this team. We are very deep at every position,” he stated. “We have a great mix of older experienced players, along with some exciting younger players. We are going to be a fun team to watch.”

    Burbank is ready for the softball season. (Photo courtesy Javier Rojas)

    The goal is to place first in the league, and the Bears are deep and talented.

    “As always, our goal is to win the Pacific League. I think we have a team that has the potential to do that. The Pacific League will be challenging,” Nicol said. “I expect Arcadia, Crescenta Valley and Burbank to all be in the mix because they all have talented teams.”

    Nicol added: “We know that being Pacific League champions will put a target on our back, but we like that and the challenge that presents,” he said. “The girls are all super excited to lock in and get the season started and to make a run towards a championship.”

    Because of graduation, the Bears will be without power-hitter Chloe Centeno and versatile Alyssa Morales, who played the outfield and shortstop.

    Burroughs is still loaded and has six seniors and include outfielder Karlee Earl, second base/shortstop Karisma Mendez, outfielder Hailey Perez, outfielder Eva Acevedo, third baseman Neyla Cervantes and pitcher/outfielder Hailey Franco.

    The six juniors are shortstop Sophie Rangsiyawong, pitcher/first baseman Valentina Reyes, catcher Sabrina Coto, first baseman/outfielder Chloe Zavala, catcher Ali Cortez and first baseman/third baseman Sady Gonzalez.

    The five sophomores are outfielder Amy Reed, first baseman/pitcher Elliott Rendon, outfielder Haven Vickers, second baseman Claire Simon and outfielder/pitcher Kalani Miramontes.

    The two first-year players include second baseman/shortstop Lily Orozco and third baseman Sydney Shugar.

    A season ago, Burbank carved out a 9-15-1 record and 5-4 mark for fourth in league behind the pitching of Maddison Kellogg, who is playing for California Baptist University.

    Javier Rojas is the Burbank head coach and realizes his team will be without the star hurler and several key contributors.

    “We are a new team after losing eight seniors, but we have a good core of juniors that will lead us and a young core with three freshmen and one sophomore who will be our future and who bring a lot of excitement,” he said.

    Rojas still believes in the players he has despite just one senior on the team.

    Providence won three consecutive Prep League championships but are in a new league. (Photo courtesy Manny Travieso)

    “I think with that mixture we will compete with other teams, and the goal is always to make the playoffs,” he said. “Kassandra Kimmer-Davila, Chloe Updike and Kayla McPherson are the girls to look out for,” he said.

    Rojas continued: “Last year Kimmer-Davila did a great job catching Maddie and was second-team, all-league and Updike was honorable mention and led in stolen bases,” he offered. “It’s great to have a center fielder like her. McPherson will lead us in pitching but I’m excited for the whole team.”

    Burbank has a dozen players on the squad and there is one senior, first baseman/second baseman/pitcher McPherson.

    There are seven juniors on the team and includes outfielder Updike, second baseman/outfielder Alyssa Perez, catcher/outfielder Kimmer-Davila, outfielder Melanie Cendejas, third baseman/outfielder Isabel Villagran, first baseman/third baseman/outfielder Holly Cashman and outfielder Priscilla Sanchez.

    The sophomore is first baseman/third baseman/pitcher Sienna Hale.

    The freshmen are first baseman/outfielder Heather Nielsen, shortstop/third baseman/pitcher Addison Lombardo and second baseman/shortstop/center fielder Cassie Sanchez.

    Providence claimed three consecutive Prep League titles but the Pioneers, who went 12-5 and 9-3 in league for first place, will now be competing in the Liberty League.

    Gone to graduation are some key players most notably Delailah Lopez, who plays for New York University, Gloria Galindo and Mia Allinson, who are also playing at the college level.

    The Pioneers lost to Bishop Montgomery 5-0 in a Division V first-round game.

    Manny Travieso is Providence’s head coach and hopes to still make the playoffs.

    “After an impressive three-year streak of winning the Prep League, Providence is transitioning into the Liberty League. However, it’s important to note that the league does not currently have a softball league, which means that this season we will be competing independently. Despite this change, our determination to qualify for the CIF remains unwavering,” he said. “We understand that the pathway to CIF may be different and more difficult this year, but we are committed to working diligently towards that goal.”

    Travieso, who is also an assistant coach at Vermont State University, believes it will take time, but the Pioneers will be good.

    “This season will serve as our retooling year after losing three players to the college softball world last year. We will continue to compete with the same tenacity as in previous years,” he stated. “Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the next four years for Providence softball as we expect to emerge even stronger.”

    Travieso also addressed the first-year players.

    “We are particularly excited to watch our freshmen develop, shining a spotlight on Kayla Salazar and Brooklyn Freed as they embark on their high school journey knowing they will be wearing a college uniform in just three and a half years,” he said.

    There are two seniors and they are Gigi Aleman and Ariana Benito and two juniors that include Siany Cruz and Siena Hartman.

    “Our junior players continue to grow and improve, and we expect our senior captains, Ariana and Gigi, to have the best years of their softball high school life this season,” Travieso said. “Their leadership and contributions are irreplaceable, and we will miss their guidance next season.”

    There are three sophomores and includes Sofia Carrillo, Madelynn Watts and Stellina Truglio.

    “Our sophomore class has no pressure to prove themselves, but we know our workhorse, Madeline Watts, will aim to surpass her already impressive performance, having been recognized as a member of the All-CIF team last year,” Travieso said.

    The freshmen include Brooklyn Freed, Kayla Salazar, Talia Simpson, Melissa Buckwoski and Rebecca Connery.

    Travieso thinks highly of the whole team.

    “Every member of our team possesses the heart and grit needed to make this unconventional year one to remember,” he said. “We are ready to embrace the challenges ahead and look forward to a memorable season as we keep our tradition in sending our softball players to play college softball at top universities.”

    Chamber

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    Rick Assad

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  • Rick’s Sports Corner: Maddison Kellogg, Talented, Faith-Driven

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    By Rick Assad

    From the moment that Maddison Kellogg stepped into the pitcher’s circle for the Burbank High softball team, she made her presence known.

    While she was confident in her ability to get batters out, she was also young and inexperienced playing at the high school level.

    “As a freshman, I was still learning, still figuring out who I was on and off the field,” said the freshman at California Baptist University who will play softball and major in Business Marketing. “By my senior year, I had grown stronger, more confident, and more grounded in my faith. Softball taught me discipline, resilience, and how to lead with compassion. I know I left high school not just a better athlete, but a better person.”

    Across Kellogg’s four-year varsity career that included 434 and one-third innings pitched, a 1.77 earned-run average with 590 strikeouts, 165 walks and 29 victories with 31 losses, believes she has something guiding her and that’s her faith.

    “Before stepping into the circle, I always prayed to God. My mindset was to stay grateful, stay confident, and trust the work I had put in during practices and training,” she said. “I didn’t try to over complicate things. I just focused on being present in the moment.”

    Kellogg, who went 3-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 108 strikeouts and 27 walks over 79 innings her senior season, added: “Instead of feeling nervous, I focused on being thankful for the opportunity to play the game I love,” she stated. “That mindset helped me stay calm, confident, and ready to compete.”

    Maddison Kellogg was a Burbank standout pitcher and attends California Baptist University where she will play softball and major in Business Marketing. (Photo courtesy Maddison Kellogg)

    Of course, there were tense moments during that four-year span but Kellogg, who went 8-5 with a 0.30 ERA and 166 strikeouts with 27 walks over 92 and two-third frames as a junior where she was named Pacific League Co-Pitcher of the Year and first team all-league, didn’t change her game plan.

    “When the game got close and the pressure was on, I went back to my breathing and my faith,” she noted. “I would remind myself to breathe, stay in the moment, and trust that I wasn’t out there alone. I had my teammates behind me, and God guiding me. Focusing on one pitch at a time, instead of the score or the situation, always helped me reset and keep my composure.”

    As Burbank’s best pitcher, Kellogg, who was also named honorable mention as the Southern California All-State softball team as a junior, knew that she had to deliver and, in many instances, did just that.

    “Being the ace definitely came with responsibility, and yes, sometimes that meant extra pressure. But I learned to turn that pressure into motivation. I didn’t see it as just being on my shoulders,” she acknowledged. “I saw it as a way to lead, to inspire my teammates.”

    Kellogg went on: “I knew my team counted on me, and I didn’t want to let them down. At the same time, I remembered that the outcome wasn’t just on me. It was a team effort, and we were all in it together,” she added. “My goal was always to give my best effort and trust that no matter the outcome, I was growing as both an athlete and a person.”

    Why did Kellogg flourish in the circle from the outset and is one of the best pitchers in Burbank’s history?

    “I think I did well because I trusted the process and worked hard every single day. I put in the extra hours, but I also leaned on my faith to guide me,” she said. “I knew that God had given me these gifts, and it was my responsibility to honor Him with how I used them. Hard work, discipline, and keeping my heart in the right place made all the difference.”

    As the best pitcher on the team, this meant Kellogg played in many important games. Which stood out for her?

    “Some of my favorite games were the ones that pushed us the hardest, especially close, competitive matchups where we had to dig deep,” she said. “Those games reminded me why I love this sport: the energy, the bond with my teammates, and the chance to rise to the occasion together. Win or lose, those moments brought out the best in us and created memories I’ll never forget.”

    Kellogg, who carved out a 11-10 record as a sophomore and fanned a career 175 with 65 walks and had a 1.86 ERA over a season best 147 innings, knows that not many people play a sport and stand out.

    Maddison Kellogg takes some time off from playing softball and is getting ready to hit the books. (Photo courtesy Maddison Kellogg)

    “I am thankful and pleased with my high school career. It wasn’t always easy, but every challenge and every victory shaped me into the athlete and person I am today,” she said. “I’m proud of the effort I gave, the growth I experienced, and most of all, the relationships I built with my teammates and coaches. I’m grateful for every moment.”

    Reflecting on what she accomplished during her time as a Bulldogs, Kellogg, who went 7-12 with 141 strikeouts and 46 walks with a 2.18 ERA over 115 and two-third innings as a freshman, looked back.

    “It was even more than I imagined. I expected competition and hard work, but I didn’t realize how much love, support, and community I would gain through this program,” she stated. “Playing for BHS gave me lifelong friendships, incredible mentors, and opportunities to grow that I will carry with me forever.”

    Kellogg also realizes she has a great deal of support behind her career.

    “So many people helped me along the way,” she noted. “My amazing mom [Priscilla], dad [Dannylee], and coaches, who pushed me to reach my potential; my teammates, who supported me through every inning; and of course, my family, my friend’s, teachers, and even yard duty/school security staff who never stopped believing in me and showed up to every game.”

    Kellogg went on: “Coach Daisy Beltran was a huge influence and support system for me while she was the assistant coach at Burbank. Coach Javier Rojas, who I only had in my senior year, really went up and beyond to recognize all my efforts and accomplishments all four years,” she said. “But most of all, I know it was God’s hand guiding me through it all. I couldn’t have done any of this without faith and the people he placed in my life.”

    Kellogg enjoyed her tenure as Bulldog and will never forget the time she spent in the softball program.

    “What I’ll miss most is the coaches and teammates. The practices, bus rides, and little moments that brought us close together. I’ll also miss representing my school and community, knowing that something is bigger than myself,” she said. “High school softball wasn’t just about games; it was about the people and the memories we made.”

    Rojas reflected on his one year as Kellogg’s coach.

    “Maddie meant everything to Burbank softball. Everybody knew who she was, even me coming into my first season,” he said. “Everybody told me to wait until you see Maddie pitch. She was elite but most importantly, she was an elite person and that came from her parents.”

    Rojas knows that he was fortunate to get a player of Kellogg’s skill.

    “What made her stand out was her confidence and calmness in the circle,” he offered. “She was able to shake things off and move on to the next batter if someone got a hit off her.”

    Chamber

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    Rick Assad

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