Story & photos by Jennifer Corriea
BIGGS, CA (MPG) – Last week was a busy one for the Maxwell softball team as they followed up on a 17-2 victory over Esparto at home on Mar. 12, by going 2-1-2 at the Biggs Tournament, which ran from Mar. 14-16.
In their second blowout win over Esparto this season, Emma Hendrix led the way going five innings in the circle where she stuck out six and surrendered just three hits in addition to finishing 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles.
Also picking up two hits against the Spartans was Shelby Dunlap.
On their first day at the Biggs Tournament, the Panthers started off with lopsided wins over Portola and Quincy by scores of 17-1 and 13-5 respectively.
Against the Tigers, Bailee Haywood had a monster game going 4 for 4 with four RBIs, then earned the win in the circle going four innings and striking out three.
Hendrix also made a major contribution at the plate going 3 for 3 with a triple and driving in four runs.
In their second game against the Trojans, Maxwell emerged with a 13-5 victory after getting two hits from Ruby Herrera and one apiece from Dunlap, Haywood, Teresita Salazar and Ryann Dennis.
Haywood earned the win in the circle.
Yet the Panthers weren’t done for the day and seemingly ran out of gas in the nightcap against Modoc where they were held to two hits and fell 11-3.
Returning to Biggs the following day, Maxwell tied Fall River 5-5 as Haywood recorded 11 strikeouts.
Allie Wills went 2 for 3 with a triple, while Dunlap, Haywood and Herrera each finished 2 for 3.
In their final game against St. Bernard’s of Eureka, the Panthers played the Crusaders to a 9-9 draw.
Dunlap was 2 for 2 with an RBI, Haywood also had a pair of knocks and Hendrix drove in two with a hit.
Dennis and Kayleigh Chambers accounted for Maxwell’s other two hits.
Despite playing six games last week, the Panthers (6-3-2) were back on the diamond Monday when they hosted Princeton and then welcomed Mt. Shasta to town for a double dip on Tuesday.