MOSES LAKE — When former Moses Lake Maverick Paige Richardson first arrived at Walla Walla Community College, she did not anticipate getting to play as much softball as she did in her freshman season, she said. 

“I didn't know what to expect just because it's a whole different world once you step into college softball compared to high school softball,” Richardson said. “I was used to playing, pitching a lot for the Mavericks. My coach pretty much depended on two of us pitchers, and it just worked out that way, and we worked really well as a pair, and we were able to back each other up in certain scenarios, so I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did.”  

In her first season as a Warrior, Richardson went 18-6 in the 23 games she started in, while appearing in 34 overall. She pitched just over 106 innings, allowing 145 hits, 99 earned runs, 102 strikeouts and recorded a shutout game. Though these are only a few stats that help summarize her first season, it’s not able to tell the whole story. 

Mental adversity 

Richardson struggled with nerves early on, she said. While it wasn’t a new feeling, the intensity was.  

“It showed definitely in the beginning of the season,” she said. 

In her first preseason game against Big Bend Community College, Richardson followed her usual routine. She put up her typical ponytail with bubble braids and got a red raspberry and peach red bull from a local coffee stand.  

“That's my game day drink, I'm convinced that if I don't have that drink, I will play bad, which is crazy. I've always been like that,” she said.  

Despite following her superstitions to a T, she still felt her nervousness in her gut and even was shaking at certain points, she said.  

“Even when I was on the mound before the game had started, I was doing my warmup pitches, I was so nervous,” Richardson said. “I had this weird feeling in my gut, and I just think I'm not used to that because I've never experienced those types of nerves and I had to really bear down and tell myself I was okay and that I've done this a million times before.” 

From there, Richardson worked on her mental game more than ever. Though it could not be resolved overnight, she recalled a long phone call with her dad Bob Richardson ahead of the Warriors' game against the Blue Mountain Community College Timberwolves, in April. 

“He just talked me through it,” she said. “He's like, ‘You got it, you need to show everyone what you are capable of, and you can do it.’ We had won that game, and Blue Mountain had beaten us before, so that was my turning point right there. It was (like) a snap of a finger, and I was good. I was ready. I was confident in that circle.” 

The Warriors defeated the Timberwolves 18-5 and 14-6 in a doubleheader. In game one, Richardson pitched all seven innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and struck out 12 batters. She pitched for one inning in game two, allowing zero hits from the three batters she faced.  

The physical skillset was never the issue for Richardson, it was the internal battle with herself that made it more challenging for her to break out, she said.  

“I doubt myself a lot. I am very hard on myself, especially with softball,” she said. “That was hard for me to be like, ‘We're in the big leagues now, this isn't high school, and it's not going to be as easy.’ I'm facing other pitchers that are phenomenal, they have crazy good skill and I'min my head, ‘I am the worst pitcher in that league,’ because that's just how I am. I'm very hard on myself, and I had to overcome that and just sit there and tell myself like, ‘You are the best.’” 

By seasons end, the Warriors finished 31-15 and 17-7 in the Northwest Athletic Conference and 30-13 in their region, according to WWCC Athletics. To top it all off, Richardson earned first team All-Region for pitching in the NWAC. The recognition proved to be validating after a challenging season; however, Richardson also saw it as motivation to keep improving.  

“I expected more for myself,” she said. “When I got first team All-League pitcher, I was like, ‘Okay well, next year I'm going to get pitcher of the year.’ That's how I took it, like it wasn't enough for me. I didn't settle. So, this next year I will be trying my hardest to be more than that.”  

In her first season, Richardson had to teach herself how to believe in herself again. Not only did she have to work internally on that but remain mindful of the encouragement her coaches and teammates give her.  

Big fish, bigger pond 

Like many high school athletes who make the jump to collegiate athletics, Richardson went from being one of the best players in the Big 9 Conference as a Maverick, to one of many pitchers who were the best where they came from, she said. In her time under Moses Lake Head Coach Mike Hofheins, she earned a lot of recognition for her play – including two league MVPs.  

Making the jump to WWCC, this realization played a role in her mental struggles early on, she said. 

“It's more intimidating for sure,” she said. “I think that was why I was so nervous, because everybody in this whole league is good. You do not face one batter that is mediocre. They're all good, so I think that's what kind of got to me, and it's just new.” 

However, Richardson leaned on her upbringing in the sport with travel ball and her time at MLHS to navigate her new playing field.  

As she developed in her youth as an athlete, she spent as much time as possible working on her game. Whether it was hitting the batting cages or throwing around in the backyard with her dad, she operated on the unease she felt at the thought of losing a step, she said.  

“You don't want to take as big of rests or breaks because you've worked so hard to get to where you've accomplished,” she said. “You don't want to lose muscle or you don't want to lose that skill over time. Even mentally, just thinking about games and thinking about how I can be better.” 

As she reflected on her softball journey, she shared what she would tell a young athlete considering playing their sport at the college level.  

“You have to want it,” Richardson said. “Don't sign to a college if you don't want to be there. You have to want to put that work in. It's hard work, you are there for a reason; to get better and to be there for your team so you can help them win games. If people are making you do it, don't do it. That's one of my biggest things, is so many people who do play college softball really hate the sport, and whether it's parents or coaches or siblings or whoever's making them pursue college softball end up hating it.” 

    The Walla Walla Community College Warriors’ Paige Richardson eyes the batter before her next pitch last season.
  

    Paige Richardson (in white) rips off another pitch during the Walla Walla Warriors 2025-26 season.
  

    Paige Richardson leans forward and eyes home plate ahead of her next pitch for the Walla Walla Community College Warriors last season.