MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (16-3) defeated the Wenatchee Panthers 24-4 Thursday behind a three home run and nine RBI performance by Mya Martinez.  

“I think I performed really well,” Mya said. “I was really just focusing on my fundamentals and Coach Bob (Richardson) helping me in the cages. That was a really good breakthrough for me, because the last few games have been rough, so I just think I really needed that.” 

The Mavericks offense exploded out of the gate with 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 10-0 lead over Wenatchee. From there, things slowed momentarily with one run in the second before stringing together eight in the third. Though Wenatchee fought the whole game, the game was essentially sealed after Moses Lake added five more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.  

By the end of it, Mya accounted for half the final score.  

“You can't count on three home runs from your second baseman, but it's nice,” Head Coach Mike Hofheins said. “We've known this about her. She has sneaky pop in her bat. She does it in slowpitch, she does it fastpitch; it's not really a secret anymore. I like watching other teams react, because nobody thinks she's going to hit it out, and then she does it three times.” 

The Mavericks started strong with Martinez singling on a line drive that helped Hayden Morris score. Shortly after Caitlin Decubber tripled, which got Martinez home. From there, Avery Getzinger, Addi Reffett, Amaiah Martinez, Lila Johnson, Morris (twice) and Decubber (twice) got home.  

Suddenly Moses Lake built a 10-0 lead heading into the top of the second inning. The game briefly slowed in the second with just Getzinger getting home. However, business picked right back up on offense for the Mavs in the third.  

After the Panthers got on the board with one run in the top of the third, MLHS erupted for eight more runs. Their 19-1 lead came behind runs by Josie Carlstrom, Alina Lopez, Amilia Borchert, Getzinger, Reffett, Johnson, Amaia and Mya, who hit her second homer of the day.  

The Panthers added another run in the top of the fourth before Decubber forced three outs. The Mavs were steadily building on their lead with runs by Getzinger and Ely Vela. Moments later, Mya hit her third homer with Morris and Johnson already on base to increase their lead to 24-2.  

Despite two runs from the Panthers in the top of the fifth, it was not enough as the Mavs defense forced three outs and sealed the win.  

In their win on Tuesday over Sunnyside, Hofheins asked his team to give more than they did the day before. Mya feels the team took a step forward Thursday.  

“Everyone just really stepped up, we're just connecting and we're just really smart out there. If we bring that on Saturday, we'll definitely make it to state,” she said.  

As they look ahead to Saturday, the Mavericks have one more obstacle left in their pursuit of a state tournament berth. After the Eastmont Wildcats defeated the West Valley Rams 3-2 in the district championship game, the Mavericks will travel to Yakima. The game is slated to start at 1 p.m.  

Hofheins challenged his team to step up Thursday, and they did, he said.  

“They came out ready to play, obviously scoring 10 in the first so now we just got to go polish some things up tomorrow and get ready to go earn ourselves a trip to state,” he said.

BOX SCORE: 

WNCH: 0-0-1-1-2: 4 

MLHS: 10-1-8-5-X: 24

    Hayden Morris (2) takes a breath before stepping up to bat for the Mavericks.
  

    The Mavericks’ Addi Reffett (21) eyes the ball in the air as she takes off for third base against Wenatchee Thursday.
  

    Amilia Borchert takes a practice swing in between pitches against Wenatchee on Thursday.