MOSES LAKE — The defending 4A state champion Moses Lake Mavericks (2-0) open the softball season undefeated after sweeping the Sageview Lobos 8-3 and 24-6 in a doubleheader at home. While it wasn't perfect, Head Coach Mike Hofheins was pleased to see his team improve throughout the day.  

"You want to be perfect right out of the gate, and we've only had seven practices, so for us not to be perfectly crisp, I guess looking back, I can probably accept that," Hofheins said. "In the heat of the moment, you just want to be perfect all the time. From game one to game two, we kind of like I don't know shifted up a gear or however you want to say it, but we really took a step forward for sure." 

Moses Lake built a strong 8-0 lead in game one before Sageview responded with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. However, the Mavericks held them scoreless the rest of the way to seal the win. From there, the bats got hot in the first inning of game two with 10 runs by Moses Lake. They continued to pile on the runs throughout the five-inning game, including an 11-run fourth inning which ultimately sealed the sweep.  

"There's so much potential (in this team)," junior Mya Martinez said. "We clean the little things up (and) we're going to be back in that state championship. I have no doubt this team can make it there."  

Game one 

It was a slow start to game one against the Lobos on Thursday. Through the top of the third, the Mavs led 1-0 off a scored run by Martinez in the first inning. However, the bats warmed up in the bottom of the third with runs by Mya, Josie Carlstrom, Aliana Deleon, Ely Vela, Amaiah Martinez, Avanie Avalos and Alivia Boyer to build a commanding 8-0 lead.  

The Lobos responded in the top of the fourth inning with three runs to cut the deficit to five. Despite their best effort to make a comeback, the Mavs defense held strong, holding them scoreless the rest of the way with MLHS winning 8-3 in seven innings.  

Amelia Avalos pitched a full shift Thursday. She threw 37 strikes on 80 pitches, allowed just five hits, zero earned runs and four walks.  

Game two 

After a short break, both teams got right back at it for game two of their doubleheader. The Lobos struck first, taking a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Despite trailing early, the Mavericks bats erupted for 10 runs thanks to Mya (twice), Deleon, Vela, Amaiah, Avalos, Carlstrom, Avery Getzinger, Charley Walker and Isabella Suarez.  

From there, the Mavericks built on their lead with three runs across the second and third innings. Meanwhile, Sageview added three runs of their own in the top of the third. Soon after, Moses Lake responded with an 11-run fourth inning to increase the lead to 24-4. 

Sageview managed to score twice more before earning three outs and suffering a loss in five innings at the hands of the Mavs.  

Though it was a dominant win in game two, it did not come without its tense moments. After a Lobos player hit the ball into the outfield, Mya fell down with an apparent leg injury. What ended up just being a leg cramp, the Mavs star was adamant to not let that stop her from walking it off.  

"I was like, 'I've never gotten a leg cramp before,'" she said. "I'm short, that doesn't really happen much. When I got it, I was like, 'I'm not letting my team down.' I was mentally focusing on saying it doesn't hurt, and I just tried to get up, fell back down, but I got up. I just think that shaking it off – I didn't do it for myself, I did it for my team, and I think that's really important." 

Coming into the season, Hofheins highlighted the big shoes left to be filled by last year’s senior class. However, stepping into that leadership role so far is Mya, who was not only vocal throughout the doubleheader, but led by example in her play.  

"Mya has a little bit of swagger to her," Hofheins said. "I think kids see that, and it gives them a little confidence and that's good. We have some young kids. I don't know how many, but I'm sure we got a handful of kids (this is) their first time ever on a varsity field in any sport, and that's nerve-wracking. The first time you get into varsity, it's different, and it's good in a win to get that experience so that we have those pieces moving forward."  

Looking ahead, the Mavericks have a high-stakes game set for Tuesday against the West Valley Rams at 3:30 p.m. for a doubleheader. This will serve as an early test for the Mavericks, as the Rams made a deep run last season in the slowpitch state tournament.  

"West Valley is good. They've got some good players," Hofheins said. "They had the lead in the semifinal late, and Chiawana came back and got them. They're definitely a good team, and they play well against us. We definitely got to be on our A-game on Tuesday." 

BOX SCORES: 

Game one 

SGVW: 0-0-0-3-0-0-0: 3 

MLHS: 1-0-7-0-0-0-X: 8 

Game two 

SGVW: 1-0-3-0-2: 6 

MLHS: 10-1-2-11-X: 24 

    Ely Vela (1) fields a ground ball before turning to first and throwing out a Sageview player Thursday.
  

    The Mavs' Amaiah Martinez (11) fields a line drive in the outfield and throws it back to centerfield.
  

    Mavs pitcher Amelia Avalos (25) tosses her first pitch of the game against Sageview on Thursday.
  

    Josie Carlstrom (14) bolts for third base against the Sageview Lobos on Thursday.
  

    Charly Walker (26) eyes the ball while at bat for the Mavericks.