MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – A non-conference matchup between two of the area’s smallest schools last Tuesday turned into an offensive outpouring with the two teams combining for 31 runs before Maxwell closed out Princeton in the fifth to come away with a 21-10 victory.
At the outset though, it was the Eagles drawing first blood as Jenna Silva, who had walked to lead off the game, scored on a wild pitch.
Yet, Panther pitcher Emma Miller found her release point and then proceeded to stikeout the side, minimizing the damage and stranding three Princeton baserunners.
In the home half of the frame, Maxwell responded by putting five runs on the board, with the big blow being a single off the bat of Bianca Minutti which plated two runs.
Then, after Miller tossed a shutdown inning in the top of the second, she tripled to drive in a run and came in to score on Minutti’s RBI double.
In the third, Maxwell added two more to the total, but broke the game open in the home half of the fourth as they batted around twice and scored 10 times.
However, a change in the circle for the Panthers opened the door for the Eagles, who to their credit, took advantage of the opportunity capitalizing on five free passes and two timely hits apiece by Madelynn Winn and Reyna Sullivan as Princeton sent 14 batters to the plate before Miller returned to the circle and restored order.
Maxwell then answered in their half of the fifth, ultimately bringing the game to an end.
Minutti had a big day for the Panthers going 3 for 4 with five RBI, Miller collected three hits, while Ruby Herrera and Jessica Ambriz each had two hits.
With her effort in the circle, Miller struck out 12, yielding just two hits and two earned runs.
As for the Eagles, Winn was 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI, while Sullivan also drove in two having gone 2 for 4.
Both teams then went on the play doubleheaders against their respective league opponents with Princeton falling 3-16 and 14-25 to Plumas Charter at home on April 30, and Maxwell succumbing twice to Quincy on May 1 by scores of 0-15, 0-16.
This week, Maxwell (9-14-1, 2-6) closed out Mid-Valley League play with a game on the road in Hamilton City on May 5 before returning home on May 7 to complete the series with the Braves.
Meanwhile Princeton (6-8, 2-4) concluded the regular season with a pair of twin bills against Evergreen League opponents Westwood and Hayfork at home on May 4 and May 5 respectively.