Panthers win 1st title

Christina English belted a two-run homer and the Maxwell High softball team will raise its first Northern Section Div. VI championship banner after rallying to defeat Champion Christian, 5-3, in Chico on Saturday.

"The last four or five games the kids really became team players and we gelled at the right time," said Panthers assistant coach Ed Wells.

The team is coached by Ron Turner,

English's round-tripper was part of a three-run fourth inning that erased a 3-1 deficit. All the runs came after two outs were recorded.

Laura Wells knocked in the first run with a double. She trotted home ahead of English following the home run.

Maxwell (17-8), which tied the game at 1 with a run in the third, added one more in the sixth for the final tally.

Lucinda Wells doubled home the first run. Katrina LaGrande knocked in the final run with a single.

Molly Dennis earned the win in the circle. She allowed three runs on five hits. She struck out four and walked one.

English also had a triple, as did Dennis. Laura Wells finished with two hits.