Maricopa girls win softball trophy

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After back-to-back tournaments, the Maricopa High School girls softball team has a winning record and a trophy.

“They’ve shown so much improvement,” coach Brandi Howell said.

The team went 1-4 in the Boulder Creek Sun Blast Tournament in Anthem to start the season. They came home to reverse their fortunes.

In the eighth annual Kristen Diehl Tourney, the Rams went 5-1.

They defeated Camelback 6-3 after holding the Spartans scoreless for five innings. Against Page, the Rams trailed most of the game and were still behind by one after scoring four in the fourth. But a six-run sixth gave them a 10-6 victory.

Despite scoring three in the fourth, Maricopa could not get past Florence, losing 5-4. Howell called it a turning point.

“They were playing to the other team and not coming out and playing their game,” the coach said. “They kind of came back ready to go.”

Maricopa defeated Higley 3-0 to set up a rematch with Florence in the championship game. The Rams scored five in the first inning and never looked back, taking the title 10-1.

Senior Victoria Andrade has been “pitching really great” and “hitting outstanding,” Howell said.

***ADVERTISEMENT***She also credits strong pitching from junior Amber Cramer and good hitting from senior Kayla Martinez and senior Samantha Dugan for getting the team on a roll.

After a Monday game on the road, the Rams play at home this week against Flowing Wells on Wednesday and Catalina Foothills on Thursday. Both games start at 4 p.m.