MOSES LAKE – After a strong 17-6 slow-pitch season last fall, the Mavericks are eager to top their semifinal appearance in states this year. As the school year has started, they have returned to the field for practice.

“It's just fun to be out on the field hitting and throwing and running and having the girls together, kids seem excited to be out here and get ready to go,” head coach Mike Hofheins said.   

Hofheins said throughout last season, the Mavericks were state championship contenders. After falling just short in the semifinal game, their focus this year is to finish those close games stronger. He said he likes their chances as much as any other team.   

“We have a lot of returning talent, and my goal is to win it, it always is. The girls think that they should be in the state championship game, playing their best softball at the end (of the year),” he said.   

The Mavs only graduated three seniors off of last year's team, Hofheins said. The majority of their dugout returns, led by Hayden Morris, who Hofheins said was instrumental for them. He describes her as a stud athlete for the Mavs.   

“She's a stud athlete, loves to compete. She doesn't necessarily lead vocally, but she just leads with (her play). She has an intense aura about her, and the girls follow it,” he said.   

The Mavs also returned three outfielders in Addi Reffett, Alina Lopez and Lila Johnson. Hofheins said they are all fast and have good footwork. They are poised to fill those roles this upcoming season.   

Hofheins said he anticipates schools like Eastmont to be a tough challenge for the Mavericks. They had success against them during the regular season, but in the state tournament, they fell short in the third-place game.   

“It's just a weird game,” Hofheins said. “If your bats are on, you're pretty tough to beat, and you play some defense, but no pitcher is going to bail you out. Nobody's going to throw a no-hitter, nobody's going to get a strikeout to kind of save an inning, nothing. You got to play defense, and you got to hit.”  

As the Mavs look ahead to this upcoming season, Hofheins remains optimistic about maintaining a winning culture.   

“We're blessed with really good athletes, and they like to compete, I say all the time, people are like ‘Slow pitch, that seems kind of different,’ but it's still competing, we have good softball players, so it translates to slow pitch, and it makes us better in the spring too,” Hofheins said.   

The Mavs open their season on the road against Sageview and Chiawana in a doubleheader Sept. 10.   

    A Mavericks slow pitch player takes reps in the batting cages during their practice on Thursday. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said he could see in his players their excitement to be back for the fall season.
  

    A Mavs slow pitch player prepares to take a swing in the batting cages during Thursdays practice. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said they are blessed with talented athletes that have helped maintain a winning culture throughout the years.
  

    Mavs slow pitch Head Coach Mike Hofheins gives feedback to his players during Thursdays practice. The Mavs graduated three seniors last year and return majority of their roster for the fall 2025 season.