OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Having eight prior section titles to its credit coming into last Saturday’s Northern Section’s Division VI championship game, the Maxwell baseball team is no stranger to winning in the playoffs, but after four years of coming up short, the No. 1 seeded Panthers broke through with a 3-2 victory in thrilling, albeit somewhat controversial fashion over No. 3 Redding Christian.
It was the second time the two evenly matched squads met this season and once again ended in a one-run victory for Maxwell, who prevailed due to the combined factors of solid pitching, situational hitting and a bit of luck.
Sophomore Wyatt Roach got the nod on the mound and after some loud contact got out of the first inning unscathed despite allowing three hits.
Meanwhile, the Panthers were able to scratch out a run in the home half of the frame, when a single by Alex Krug plated Vincent Orozco, who drew a leadoff walk and was moved into scoring position on a sacrifice by Roach.
With the score remaining 1-0 in Maxwell’s favor after two innings, the Lions pulled even in the third.
Yet, in the fifth, Roach got out of a bases loaded jam, minimizing the damage by conceding just a single run, as he ended his stint on the bump for the day having stranded a total of six Lion baserunners while striking out three.
Preventing Redding Christian from putting any more runs on the board in the inning ultimately proved pivotal for what was to come, as Maxwell could not break through in its half of the fifth.
In the sixth, Levi Velasquez took to the hill and worked around a one-out walk to retire the side and give the Panthers the opportunity they needed with the heart of their lineup coming up.
Krug led off the bottom of the frame with a single, Colt Montgomery followed suit and Yahir Alcaraz walked to load the bases.
Then after strikeout, Macklin Kuska made his first plate appearance and hit a chopper up the middle that changed the outcome of the game.
Fielding the ball near second base and thinking he touched the bag, the Lions’ shortstop threw to first base for what appeared to be an inning ending double play.
However, as Redding Christian celebrated and ran into the dugout, Panther coach Forrest Bateman kept his base runners on the field and checked to see if there was in fact an out at second. When the runner was called safe, Bateman directed his two pinch runners, Colten Jones and Ian Lepe, to run with both crossing the plate as the Lions scrambled to get back on the field.
A vehement protest from RC Coach Christian Reynolds regarding the lack of a clear signal at second base was to no avail and Maxwell went back in front 3-2.
For Bateman, it was a matter of staying in the moment as he explained, “When I asked and the umpire said safe at second, I just yelled at my guys to run and they both scored.”
Yet, in the aftermath of the chaotic situation, the Panthers still needed a shutdown seventh inning and they got just that from Velasquez who was able to retire the side and deliver the elusive ninth championship.
Velasquez, who had been in centerfield for the first five innings, said that he didn’t really feel pressure coming in with the game on the line.
“I keep loose by talking to my fellow outfielders when I’m out there, but when I come in to pitch, I’m confident and I believe that no one is going to get a hit off me. I’ve been in every situation possible during my time here and it’s been part of my growth as a pitcher. I also get motivation from the fact that the coaches believe in me.”
It was a performance that drew praise from Bateman who said this about the senior, “Levi has done everything I have asked of him this season. He has been a great leader on this team.”
Krug and Montgomery both ended the day 2 for 3, while Orozco, Roach and Luke Pearson recorded a hit apiece.
Bateman, who in the aftermath spoke about his team’s resiliency as a whole, also singled out what Montgomery, his junior catcher, has meant to the squad this season.
“These kids deserve all the credit,” said the Panther coach. “They worked their butts off to be here and they always battled. It’s just nice to see them get over this hurdle. I am especially proud of Colt, who has been the glue of this team. I let him call the pitches and he has really stepped up.”
To get to the championship, Maxwell beat No. 4 Weed 12-2 on May 19, behind a six inning gem from Alcaraz in which he surrendered just two hits and struck out four.
Montgomery went 3 for 3 at the plate as did freshman Luka Benedet, whose big day included two doubles and three RBI.
With the victory in the section game, the Panthers (22-7) earned a spot in the CIF Regional Tournament and will learn its fate on May 31 when the brackets are released.