Big second inning surges Mavs past Wildcats for Big 9 title

MOSES LAKE – An offensive surge in the bottom of the second inning of Saturday’s Columbia Basin Big 9 district championship game helped push Moses Lake to an eventual 21-7 win over Eastmont, punching its ticket to the state tournament in the process. 

“I feel like we worked super well together as a team and persevered through everything that was thrown at us and performed,” junior Hayden Morris said. “It was a really good feeling getting this win.” 

Eastmont held a 3-0 advantage through the first inning and a half, though things quickly changed; junior Amilia Borchert delivered an RBI double to get Moses Lake on the board. 

“It didn’t phase them – we just kind of stayed relaxed and stayed in what we do,” head coach Mike Hofheins said. 

Soon after, freshman Mya Martinez hit a three-run home run to left field to give Moses Lake the lead. 

“I thought it was in, so I was running hard – and I was running hard the whole entire time, because you never know,” Martinez said. “I was just really excited because we were on the board, and it’s a great feeling when you hit the barrel.” 

The scoring barrage continued throughout the inning, with Moses Lake going through its lineup twice. Martinez hit another home run, with another three-run shot going to center field. 

“I think I really had the momentum and the swing down,” Martinez said. “Didn’t change the swing, same old swing – just had to keep the momentum going.” 

Two at-bats later, Morris went deep on a two-run home run to put Moses Lake up 16-3. The inning ended with a 17-3 lead in favor of the Mavericks. 

“I knew as soon as it left my bat that it was out,” Morris said. “My team being so supportive, pushing me to be better, was just a great feeling.” 

Moses Lake had 16 of its 23 hits on the day come in the bottom of the second inning. 

“It just was contagious,” Hofheins said. “The girls fed off of one another, and there was good energy in the dugout ... that’s kind of how slowpitch goes. We were hitting legit hits; we were hitting the ball hard into gaps, it wasn’t like they were making a bunch of errors." 

Martinez led Moses Lake with six RBI in the win, with senior Eryn Eckenberg and sophomore Alina Lopez both driving in three runs in the win. Eckenberg’s four hits were a team-high, though each Maverick starter recorded at least one hit Saturday. 

Moses Lake qualified for the 4A State Slowpitch Softball Tournament with Saturday’s win; the Mavericks received a No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 Woodinville Friday at 10 a.m. at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima. The winner will go on to face the winner of No. 2 Skyview and No. 7 Mead at 2 p.m. Friday. 

“If you’re playing your best ball when you get there – everybody's good, you’ve just got to string hits together,” Hofheins said. “Nobody’s going to throw a no-hitter, and you can’t rely on pitchers to strike people out. We’ve just got to string hits together, line drives and play defense. I like our chances with the way we’ve been playing.” 

Box score 

ESTM: 2-1-1-2-1 7
MSLK: 0-17-0-4-X 21 

    Moses Lake freshman Mya Martinez celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting her second home run of the game against Eastmont on Saturday.
  

    Moses Lake sophomore Amelia Avalos makes contact with a pitch during Saturday’s Columbia Basin Big 9 district championship game against Eastmont. Every Maverick starter recorded at least one hit in the win.
  

    The Moses Lake slowpitch softball team smiles in celebration after defeating Eastmont 21-7 in the Columbia Basin Big 9 district championship game on Saturday.