MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks slowpitch softball team (16-1) is heading to the 4A state tournament as the first seed and will play Lake Washington at Kiwanis Park in Yakima. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said his players are ready to go.   

“The girls have been excited basically since last Thursday,” he said. “They wanted to be district champs, and they got to check those boxes. I think if you asked them, they probably would have rather the state tournament (been on) Monday or Tuesday. They're ready to go.”  

After falling just short in the semifinals last year, the Mavericks came into the season motivated to make another run. From the beginning of the season, Hofheins said he liked their chances as much as any other team to make the state championship game. With several returners from last year, he felt confident this team was meant to be playing in the postseason.   

“I think the girls think that they should be in the state championship game, playing their best softball at the end of the season,” Hofheins said in an earlier interview.   

The Mavericks are led by a core of six seniors. Hofheins said Hayden Morris was a key leader for them this season. He said she is a solid athlete who loves to compete. He said she leads with an intense aura that her teammates gravitate to.   

Alina Lopez, Addi Reffett and Lila Johnson string together a solid outfield on defense that has shown up for the Mavericks throughout the season.   

From there, it was a matter of finding who else was going to contribute. Hofheins said the senior group has done a good job of bringing the younger players into the fold. To him, team chemistry might be the best it’s ever been.   

From the second game of the season against Chiawana, Hofheins said he saw the potential of this team.   

“There were several lead changes in that game, and to see them not blink and just keep fighting and keep playing and find a way to win was great. I said, ‘If we're going to do that all year, we're going to have a chance to be pretty darn good,’” Hofheins said.   

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Mavericks were down 11-12. They rounded off six runs to take a 17-12 lead and held off Chiawana in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.   

As they prepare for Lake Washington, Hofheins said defense is going to be important in a game of offense. He said the team that plays the cleanest is usually the one that comes out the winner in the end.   

“Everybody's going to put the ball in play, but if you play clean defense, you run the base smart and you hit line drives good things usually happen,” he said.   

The Mavericks went 16-0 before dropping their final game to Eastmont. Their winning ways this season did not come without some adversity and necessity for adapting to sudden changes. 

In September, the Mavs were supposed to go on the road to Wenatchee for a doubleheader. However, due to poor air quality from wildfires, the Panthers came to Moses Lake on short notice. The Mavs seized the moment that day and swept them 14-2 and 19-3. After the win, Hofheins was pleased to see all of his players contribute in some way to the win.   

“I really liked how we jumped out from the get-go,” he said. “It’s weird being the visiting team at your home ballpark, but one thing in slowpitch is that when you are the visitor, and you get the opportunity to score first, you have that opportunity to really grab momentum and keep it.”  

The Mavericks play Lake Washington at 11 a.m. Friday at Kiwanis Park. If they win, they move on to play the winner of Ferris and Skyview at 5 p.m. The winner of that game advances to the state championship game Saturday at 2 p.m.   

If they lose in the first round, they will play the loser of the previously mentioned game. If they could win out from there, they would finish in third place. However, the Mavericks are focused on winning a state title. If they do, it will be their first in school history.   

Hofheins is aware of the historical implications but is focused on finishing the job first.   

“That would be pretty special, obviously. We have some work to do. There's a lot of good teams there, and we just have to win. We're going to win every bat, and we've got to win every inning, and then let that other stuff take care of itself,” he said.   

Editor's Note: The Columbia Basin Herald team wishes the Mavericks the best of luck at the state tournament. Congratulations on a season well-played and honors well-earned. 

    The Mavs’ Samantha Kling (4) sprints to first base after hitting a line drive to the outfield against Wenatchee. The Mavericks were supposed to be on the road against the Panthers, but it was made a home game due to air quality issues in Wenatchee.
  

    Hayden Morris (2) takes off after hitting a home run against Eastmont in the 4A district championship. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said Morris leads the team with an intense aura.
  

    Hayden Morris (2) is greeted by her teammates at home plate after hitting her second home run against Eastmont.
  

    The Mavs’ Lila Johnson (7) rounds third base against the Wenatchee Panthers earlier this season.
  

    Hayden Morris, left, and Samantha Kling, right, celebrate after a big defensive play against Eastmont in the 4A district championship. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said playing clean defense will be important to making a deep state tournament run.
  

    Lila Johnson (7) eyes her teammates in the infield before she throws the ball back into play against Eisenhower earlier this season.
  

    The Mavs’ Josie Carlstrom (13) takes a swing at the ball against Eisenhower earlier this season. She recorded an RBI in that game.