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The Express

The Student News Site of Sacramento City College

The Express

The Student News Site of Sacramento City College

The Express

Luck changes for No. 13

Erikka+Burke%2C+City+College+sophomore+first+baseman%2C+watches+watches+as+Jazzlyn+Ayala+Modesto+College+pitcher+was+injured+when+she+caught+Burkes+line+drive+in+the+sixth+inning+of+the+second+game+of+a+double+header+at+The+Yard+on+March+14th.%0A%0ADianne+Rose+%2F+dianne.rose.express%40gmail.com
Erikka Burke, City College sophomore first baseman, watches watches as Jazzlyn Ayala Modesto College pitcher was injured when she caught Burke’s line drive in the sixth inning of the second game of a double header at The Yard on March 14th. Dianne Rose / [email protected]

Nazia Shah | Staff Writer | [email protected]

Softball player Erikka Burke returns after 2014 season-ending injury

Injuries are common for athletes — some are mild and some are intense — and can sideline an athlete for a season, which was the case for City College softball player Erikka Burke.

Burke has played softball for the Panthers since the 2014 season. Early in her freshman year, Burke suffered from a torn rotator cuff and was forced to use a medical red shirt to maintain her two years of playing eligibility.

“I love being on the field and playing,” said Burke. “So when I got my injury, I was so devastated. But I knew, no matter what, I was going to come back and play.”

According to Burke, her passion for softball started with playing T-ball when she was 4 years old, she later continued into recreational softball, then transitioned to travel ball when she turned 11 because “the other games became less challenging.”

Before coming to City College, Burke pitched for Elk Grove High School where she earned a 7-1 record with a 2.07 ERA in her 2013 senior year. It was in November of the same year at a City College practice when Burke sustained the injury in her pitching shoulder.

“I pitched the ball and felt a big pop in my shoulder,” said Burke. “It went dead and started tingling. I went to the bullpen, and I just sat there for a second. Then it went back to normal, and I went back to practicing my pitching.”

According to Burke, she reaggravated her shoulder in a February 2014 pre-season game. After an MRI confirmed the diagnosis, Burke had surgery to repair the damage.

Her doctor told her she couldn’t pitch anymore and had to take the season off to recover. However, that didn’t stop her from working hard to come back to the game that she loves, Burke said.

“I work out every day, on my arms, legs, back and shoulders,” said Burke. “When I first started my recovery, I was using 2- to 3-pound weights. Now I’m up to 15 pounds. I won’t let this injury stop me from pitching again.”
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According to Burke, she has seen progress in not only her shoulder strength but also in her recovery, and she hopes to start pitching again this summer.

Burke came into the 2015 season playing a new position: first base. City College’s head softball coach Tim Kiernan has high hopes for Burke’s return to the field and said that her transition should be seamless.

“She’s played first base before,” said Kiernan. “She still may end up pitching in the future. She just needs to give it some time to heal and be ready.”

The idea to switch Burke to first base came easily, because Burke said she loves the feeling of being in action on the field with her team on game day. It’s the importance of the team that attracts her to the sport, she said.

Courtney Davis, Burke’s teammate for the past two seasons, considers Burke a strong veteran presence on a team filled with freshmen.

“We’re a young team, but very passionate about the game,” said Davis. “We’re glad Erikka is still a part of the team and continues to motivate young players even after a loss. She is a great leader.”

The Panthers are halfway through the season and have a 17-7 record. Despite being out a year, Burke is leading the team in several statistical categories including hitting (20), RBIs (18) and homeruns (5). She also has a .339 batting average and a .983 fielding percentage. All statistics current as of March 26.

Burke said that she has witnessed other players get injured but never thought that it could have happened to her. Because of her injury, she said she has learned to never take anything for granted. Now that she is back on the fi eld, she continues to pursue her passion for the game.

“When I’m on the field, nothing else matters. It’s my getaway from everything,” said Burke. “I love playing softball.”

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