YAKIMA – The Moses Lake slowpitch waited for Mother Nature to cooperate and then did the rest.

After a nearly four-hour rain delay and the relocation of the tournament, the top-seeded Mavericks dethroned four-time defending champion Chiawana 13-3 to win the Class 4A state championship.

After taking fourth place a year ago, Moses Lake captured the top prize this time around.

“That was like the longest day of my life,” Mavericks coach Mike Hofheins said of Saturday’s weather and scheduling issues.

Leading 4-3 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Mavs (19-1) erupted for eight runs with Alina Lopez hitting a two-run homer, and Hayden Morris and Samantha Kling launching solo shots.

An inning later, Amaiah Martinez – a courtesy runner for Lopez, who had doubled earlier in the inning – scored on an error to trigger the 10-run rule.

“They were just on fire, they played good defense and they pitched well and you have all that you have a chance,” Hofheins said. “They’re a heckuva team. You’re never ever feeling you have a big enough lead and our mind set was we have to keep adding on.”

Lopez finished with three hits and three RBI, Martinez had two hits and knocked in two runs, and 

Hayden Morris collected three hits including a solo home run.

The tournament was moved from the Gateway Sports Complex to West Valley High School.

West Valley, which fell to the Riverhawks in Friday’s semifinals, was awarded third place because the rest of the action was rained out.

Mt. Spokane defeated Greater Spokane League rival University for the third straight year to claim the 3A title.