Softball, baseball tournaments honor students’ memories

Maricopa High School honored the memories of Matt Huffman and Krystin Diehl recently with a baseball and a softball tournament at Maricopa High School. 

The eighth annual Matt Huffman tournament, which benefits the Matt Huffman Scholarship, was held March 11-13. In pool play, the Maricopa Rams baseball team ran 2-2-0. The Rams faced some tough competition, according to head coach Daron Connelly.

“Five of the nine teams play in the 5A Conference (the highest classification in the state), so the competition was strong,” Connelly said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.” 

Trevor Browne High gained victory in bracket play. Alhambra’s shortstop, Julio Alguno captured the Matt Huffman Never Quit Award. Other competing high schools included South Mountain, St. Johns, Tempe, Betty H. Fairfax, Westwood, and Raymond S. Kellis.

The third annual Krystin Diehl Softball Tournament was held March 12-13. The Diehl tourney was also a huge success, according to Rams softball head coach Rob Henderson.

“We had good, competitive softball and all of the teams enjoyed their experience,” Henderson said. “Our team had a good weekend. We were 3-2, coming in 5th place overall (out of 10 teams). The girls continue to improve – our defense continues to get better. As our young team continues to gain experience, they will get more competitive at the 4A level. We look forward to our region games coming up.”

Cesar Chavez seized the P-Nut award as the most passionate, noisy, unique and tenacious team.

Krystin Diehl, former Maricopa sophomore class president, perished in a tragic auto accident just outside of Maricopa on State Route 347 on May 2, 2006. Matt Huffman, a former catcher for the Maricopa varsity baseball team, collapsed during a run on Jan. 3, 2002.

Shannon Hull, athletic director for Maricopa High School, knows the tournaments keep the players’ memories alive.

“These were two amazing students on and off the field,” Hull said. “They are examples of the type of student-athletes that we want in any program. Our students will learn about both Krystin and Matt each year, so that they may know the importance of these two to Maricopa High School and the Maricopa community.”