Barsotti home run highlights Maxwell victory

Mitchell Barsotti drove in the first two runs and the last two Friday, as the Maxwell High baseball team thumped visiting Bishop Quinn, 10-0, in the first round of the Northern Section Div. V playoffs.

The Panthers (26-3) are the top seed in the playoffs and are shooting for their fourth Section championship in five years. Last year they won the Div. VI title.

Friday’s win puts Maxwell into the semifinals Tuesday against either No. 4 Loyalton or No. 5 Burney.

“It was a good solid effort,” Maxwell coach Eric Lay said of Panthers’ win, noting they got good pitching and good defense.
And Barsotti’s bat.

In his first at-bat, Barsotti lined a 1-1 pitch down the left field line for a two-run home run and a 2-0 lead after one inning.

Brian Hamner, who got aboard on an infield base hit, was going on the pitch when Barsotti connected.

“I was just trying to get the ball to the outfield,” Barsotti said, figuring Hamner would be able to score.

Barsotti provided more excitement in his fourth at-bat. With the Panthers up, 8-0, and runners at second and third in the bottom of the fifth, Barsotti looped an 0-1 pitch to right field to score both runners and end the game thanks to the 10-run mercy rule.