Mavs stay unbeaten in league, sweep West Valley

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks celebrated senior day by sweeping the West Valley (Yakima) Rams on Tuesday afternoon, winning by scores of 18-5 and 18-3 in the doubleheader. 

In between games, Moses Lake seniors Jenika Balderas, Eryn Eckenberg and Paige Richardson were all honored with family members on the field and gift baskets from teammates. 

“Two of the three of them had sisters that played in our program before them, so they really have been around the program for a long time,” head coach Mike Hofheins said. “They’re the heart and soul of our program right now, and it’s weird only having three of them (seniors). Especially compared to the last couple of years.” 

Moses Lake trailed 2-0 to the Rams midway through the second inning of the first game, though back-to-back RBI from junior Amilia Borchert and Balderas tied the game in the bottom of the second. Then, the Mavs put up 12 runs in the bottom of the third before riding off to an 18-5 win in the opening game.  

“We weren’t super focused in the first couple innings, and then we decided, ‘OK, it’s time to go,’” Hofheins said. “I’m pleased – as long as we keep improving, I like our chances.” 

“It just takes one person to start that spark,” Richardson said of the third-inning rally. “Now somebody’s getting loud, let’s go. We know it’s time to kick it up a notch and it’s time to hit.” 

Eckenberg went three-for-four at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Amelia Avalos recorded two hits and drove in three runs in the win, while four Mavericks drove in two runs in the game. 

“I’m definitely winning with singles, and that’s fine with me,” Eckenberg said. “Getting on base, it’s fun.” 

Balderas led the way in the second game, going three-for-four at the place with four RBI in an 18-3 win. Moses Lake had four players drive in two runs in the nightcap. The Mavericks opened the game with a six-run bottom of the first inning, with the bats coming alive with a leadoff hit by junior Lila Johnson. 

Eckenberg credited the team’s camaraderie for Tuesday’s wins. 

“Everyone supports each other, everyone encourages each other,” Eckenberg said. 

Tuesday’s games come following a doubleheader against Chiawana last Thursday, where Moses Lake split the games with a 3-2 win followed by an 11-5 loss to the Riverhawks. Chiawana had previously swept Moses Lake in a Sept. 14 doubleheader. 

“We played really well in the first game, played tremendous defense,” Hofheins said. “Any slowpitch game between two teams that are pretty good – to be 3-2, there’s got to be a lot of defense being played, and there was.” 

In the first game against Chiawana, Moses Lake took the lead for good in the top of the first with an RBI single by Eckenberg followed by a sacrifice fly by Avalos in the next at-bat. The Mavericks got some insurance in the top of the third with another RBI single by Eckenberg. 

“It felt like a fastpitch game, it was pretty crazy,” Richardson said. 

Moses Lake improved to 10-0 in the league and 13-3 overall with Tuesday’s sweep. They’ll take on Eastmont in a doubleheader on Tuesday in East Wenatchee – both teams enter the doubleheader with undefeated records in league play this season. 

“Eastmont’s our rival in the spring and fall, and they’re loaded with athletes and we have a pretty dang good team,” Hofheins said. “If I have to give them a speech to get fired up for Eastmont, then they’re not ready. That won’t be necessary – they're going to be ready to go.” 

Box scores 

Game One 
WSTV: 1-1-0-3-0 5
MSLK: 0-2-12-4-X 18 

Game Two 
WSTV: 0-0-1-2 3
MSLK: 6-2-4-6 18 

    Moses Lake senior Jenika Balderas (3) catches the ball for an out at first base in the opening game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against West Valley (Yakima). Balderas went three-for-four at the plate with four RBI in the night cap on Tuesday.
  

    Moses Lake senior Paige Richardson (14) makes contact with a pitch during Tuesday’s doubleheader against West Valley (Yakima).