MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (11-1) defeated the Cheney Blackhawks 8-0 Monday to earn their 10th consecutive win.  

“Cheney is a good team,” Head Coach Mike Hofheins said. “For us to get some good competition this week before we have West Valley (Friday) was super beneficial for us. They had two outstanding pitchers and a really outstanding catcher, so a good challenge for us to go up there and face off against them.”  

After a scoreless first inning, the Mavericks offense erupted in the second with four runs to take a commanding lead over the Blackhawks. From there, the two teams exchanged sharp pitching performances that resulted four straight scoreless innings. In the top of the seventh, Moses Lake strung together four more runs to secure the shutout win over Cheney on the road.  

Hofheins was complimentary of Avanie Avalos’ pitching performance against Cheney.  

“Outstanding pitching performance by her, best of the year for sure,” he said. “She's a freshman, but she truly was on her game. She only gave up two hits, and one of those I think was a bad call at first. She just controlled the zone. She had some good defense behind her, which is always good to know and (to) have that confidence that you can pitch to contact and let your defense help you. It was a good all-around team win.” 

Avalos pitched all seven innings, allowing two hits, one walk and zero runs and struck out five batters. On 73 pitches, she also threw 54 strikes.  

In the second inning, Amilia Borchert hit a fly ball that helped Alina Lopez to get home and get the Mavericks on the board for the first time. From there, Borchert, Charly Walker and Lila Johnson also got home to increase their lead to 4-0.  

From the bottom of the second through the sixth inning, both teams were unable to get home. Hofheins credits strong pitching by both teams as the cause of the offensive stall.  

“Their pitcher stymied us a little bit, to be honest with you. We broke through early there and struck some runs. (They) made a couple of errors that helped us. We put the ball in play, and then we were in a little bit of a drought, and then we broke through there and got those insurance runs. The way Avanie was dealing, I think we would have been fine without them, but it's always nice to play add-on. (We) tip our cap to their pitcher; their pitchers were solid,” Hofheins said.  

However, the Mavericks broke the game back open in the top of the seventh inning. After Caitlin Decubber singled on a line drive, Hayden Morris and Josie Carlstrom scored to increase their lead by two more runs while Mya Martinez advanced to second base. Moments later, Alina Lopez doubled on a line drive that scored Decubber and Martinez to seal the Mavericks' 8-0 win.  

Before the Mavericks turn their focus to West Valley and Eastmont, they will host the Selah Vikings in one last non-league game on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Including non-league opponents this late in the season is intentional by Hofheins, he said.  

“We wanted to get some good tough competition to kind of sharpen ourselves a little bit before we get into these last four against West Valley and Eastmont,” he said. “So that we're as sharp as we can be and firing all on all cylinders. These are great games for us to get that competition,” Hofheins said.  

BOX SCORE: 

MLHS: 0-4-0-0-0-0-4: 8 

CHNY: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0: 0 

    The Mavericks’ Avanie Avalos (33) throws her next pitch in a recent game against Wenatchee. Head Coach Mike Hofheins said Avalos had her best pitching performance yet in their win over Cheney Monday.
  

    Lila Johnson (7) rounds third base during the Mavericks game against Wenatchee. Johnson scored a run in their win over Cheney on the road Monday.
  

    The Mavs’ Charley Walker (26) steps into her throw as she passes it to first base against Wenatchee.