MOSES LAKE — On Wednesday, the Mavericks slowpitch team opened the 2025 season with a doubleheader against Sageview (Pasco) and Chiawana. The Mavs defeated Sageview 21-4 and Chiawana 17-12. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said it was a good first test for his team.   

“When you when one of your opening games is against the four-time defending state champion, then that's a pretty good litmus test for you,” he said. “They're a good squad, and they're going to be in the state tournament. For us to be able to compete with them and come up on top was huge for us. If we continue to improve, we'll be pretty tough in the end.”   

In game one, the Mavs came out on fire offensively. In the top of the first inning, they scored six runs including a home run by Hayden Morris that Hofheins said helped spark the team. They held Sageview scoreless before scoring three more runs in the top of the second.   

After scoring four more runs in the top of the third inning, Sageview responded with three runs to cut the deficit to 13-3. However, the Mavs continued to pile on the runs with five in the top of the fourth. Sageview would score one more run before the Mavs added three runs to seal their first win of the season.   

Alongside Morris, Addi Reffett contributed to the Mavs offense. She recorded five RBI’s and three double plays. Morris and Samantha King also recorded three double plays. Hofheins said having a team of experienced players like Reffett played to their advantage against Sageview.   

“She's a senior, so we're not surprised. That's the nice thing about having a senior-led team is those seniors you can count on to perform and to show up and be ready to go ... (Reffett) made two or three or four really nice catches in left field,” Hofheins said.   

In game two, Chiawana would present a tougher challenge for the Mavs. After the first inning, Moses Lake found itself behind 3-1 but clawed its way back into the game after scoring one run in the top of the second inning and three more in the top of the third, taking a 5-3 lead. They held Chiawana scoreless in the bottom of the third and capitalized by adding three more runs in the top of the fourth to make it 8-3.   

In the bottom of the fourth, Chiawana bounced back with three runs to make it a two-point game at 8-6. The Mavs were held to three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Chiawana erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 12-11 lead. After both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning, the Mavs scored six runs to regain the lead. They held Chiawana scoreless and secured a 17-12 victory and a sweep on the day.   

Mavs standout Alina Lopez had seven RBIs and recorded two double plays against Chiawana. Hofheins said Lopez’s presence was helpful given how consistent she is at hitting line drives.    

“That's kind of the name of the game in slow pitch,” he said. “You’ve got to just hit line drives, because there's four outfielders. If you put any kind of pop-up on it, it's probably going to be caught... It's nice as a coach to have that leadership and that confidence and that sort of swagger that they know what they're doing. (They’ve) been there, done that, so it's super fun to watch that,” he said.   

As Hofheins and the Mavs look ahead, he said they want to work on playing a cleaner game. He hopes to see them executing crisper throws, catches and begin using the whole field. Part of this will be working on their timing, he said.   

“Nobody's using the whole field because the ball is obviously coming slower than they've played all summer, so their timing is a little off,” he said.   

Despite that, Hofheins is confident his team will only continue to improve as the season goes on. The Mavs hit the road again to play Sunnyside in a doubleheader Sept. 16, with the first pitch set for 3:30 p.m.  

BOX SCORE:  

Game One:  

MAVS: 6-3-4-5-3 21  

SVHS: 0-0-3-1-0 4  

Game Two:  

MAVS: 1-1-3-3-3-0-6 17  

CWHS: 3-0-0-3-6-0-0 12 

    Mavs’ Alina Lopez takes a swing at bat against Woodville last season. Lopez recorded seven RBI’s and two double plays against Chiawana on Wednesday.
  

    A Mavs slow pitch player takes practice swings during practice ahead of the 2025 season. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said playing Chiawana to open the season was a good litmus test for them.