Over the final three quarters, the Mavericks played to their potential, rallying and then pulling away for a 56-34 victory at Marquette Stadium.

Quarterback John Lobbestael threw for five touchdowns and ran for two more as Yakima ripped off 38 unanswered points after falling behind 21-3 after one quarter.

The Mavericks (4-0, 5-0) took the lead for good when Lobbestael threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Jake Zeutenhorst late in the first half for a 24-21 halftime lead.

Yakima pushed the advantage to 41-21 before the teams traded scores late in the game.

Yakima is now off for two weeks. It’s next game is June 9 against Grays Harbor at Marquette Stadium.

Complete statistics were not available Saturday.

Taking advantage of a missed extra point in the first half and then making a key defensive stand in the final two minutes, the Mavericks clipped the South King County Colts 17-16 in a Pacific Football League game Saturday night at Sunset Chev Stadium.

John Lobbestael wasn’t particularly effective, completing just 10 of 28 passes, but two of his completions went for touchdowns — 37 yards to Ryan Hill and 19 yards to Ryan Wright — as the Mavericks led 14-13 at halftime.

Alex Mahre added a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for a 17-13 lead.

Deep in Yakima territory with about five minutes remaining, South King County opted for a 26-yard field goal by Mike Astley.

Yakima’s defense made a key fourth-down stand near midfield with about 1:50 remaining. The Colts got the ball back deep in its own end with about 20 seconds remaining but two long passes fell incomplete as Yakima (3-0 league, 4-0) remained undefeated.

The Mavericks’ will face a tough test next Saturday when they host the top-ranked Bellingham Bulldogs at Marquette Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

Yakima 7 7 0 3 — 17
South King County 7 6 0 3 — 16

SKC — Anthony Montgomery 74 pass from Rabbitt Vasa (Mike Astley kick)

Yak — Ryan Hill 37 pass from John Lobbestael (Alex Mahre kick)

Yak — Ryan Wright 19 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

SKC — Montgomery 50 pass from Vasa (pass failed)

Yak — FG Mahre 43

SKC — FG Astley 26

YAKIMA INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING — Kenny Peterson 11-48.

PASSING — Lobbestael 10-28-0-150.

RECEIVING — Wright 3-52, Mahre 3-47.

Quickly regrouping, the Mavericks scored three times in the first five minutes of the third quarter and cruised to a 48-6 victory over the South Sound Shockers in a Pacific Football League game Saturday night.

Alex Mahre started the flurry by returning the second-half kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and he later caught touchdown passes of 26 and 13 yards from John Lobbestael, who finished with five scoring passes for the night.

Ryan Wright also caught two scoring passes, including a 33-yarder to cap that third-quarter burst. He also hauled in a 17-yarder in the second quarter to put Yakima up 14-6 at halftime.

Lobbestael was 10 of 18 for 199 yards, including a 2-yard scoring toss to Devin Sume early in the second quarter to open the scoring. He was also intercepted three times.

Mahre finished with four catches for 116 yards, and Wright had three grabs for 61 yards.

Kenny Peterson rushed for 75 yards, including a 10-yard scoring run.

Jeremy Frank led the defense with two interceptions.

Yakima (2-0, 3-0) will play South King County in Sumner next Saturday.

Yakima 0 12 28 6 — 48
South Sound 0 6 0 0 — 6

Yak — Devin Sume 2 pass from John Lobbestael (Alex Mahre kick)

SS — Jacob Howe 47 pass from Paul Lene (kick blocked)

Yak — Ryan Wright 17 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Mahre 85 kickoff return (Mahre kick)

Yak — Kenny Peterson 10 run (Mahre kick)

Yak — Wright 33 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Mahre 26 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Mahre 13 pass from Lobbestael (kick failed)

YAKIMA INDVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING — Peterson 11-75.

PASSING — Lobbestael 10-18-3-199.

RECEIVING — Mahre 4-116, Wright 3-61.

YAKIMA, Wash. — Last year at this time, John Lobbestael was playing wide receiver and quite happy doing so, thank you.

But a sluggish start with a sputtering offense forced the Yakima Mavericks to turn back to their former quarterback, who led them to the playoffs.

This year, coach Steve Davis wasn’t going to mess around — Lobbestael was given the reins to the offense from the get-go and that was that.

Quarterback John Lobbestael of the Yakima Mavericks runs the ball against Oregon Outlaws at Marquette Stadium in Yakima, Wash. Saturday April 28, 2012. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

After a second straight strong outing Saturday, there’s little doubt the Mavericks made the correct decision.

The signal caller completed an efficient 15 of 22 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Mavericks to a 37-9 victory over the Oregon Outlaws in a Pacific Football League game at Marquette Stadium.

“He did this for the team. If he had his druthers, he’d play wide receiver,” Davis said. “This year, I told him, ‘We’re not looking for a quarterback, you’re it. Now let’s go out and win a championship.’”

So far, Lobbestael is doing his part.

In Yakima’s first two games, both wins, he’s completed 29 of 40 passes (72.5 percent) for 385 yards with seven touchdowns to two interceptions.

“He’s comfortable back there,” Davis said of the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder from Oak Harbor. “He made some (really) awesome plays back there tonight. He’s only going to get better.”

Although not his first choice, Lobbestael is certainly comfortable running the show.

“I like playing wide receiver better but I like playing quarterback,” he said, adding that having so many familiar faces back has made his job easier.

“The offense is more comfortable,” he said. “I knew this would happen. This is the best group of guys we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

That comfort level was on display in the first half Saturday as Lobbestael completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two scores. He found four different receivers in the half, including touchdown passes to Alex Mahre for 48 yards in the first quarter to open the scoring and Jake Zeutenhorst on a 16-yarder in the second period.

In the second half, the quarterback found Ryan Wright, who outworked the defender in the end zone to collect a 19-yard scoring pass.

“We knew they’d give us the deep ball,” said Lobbestael, who had seven completions of at least 10 yards and three of at least 34.

He is the brother of former Washington State quarterback Marshall Lobbestael.

“John’s got a lot of weapons to throw to,” Davis said, adding that the offense knows it doesn’t have to be perfect because the Mavericks’ defense has been even more impressive so far this season.

“They rocked it tonight,” Davis said, raving about Saturday’s effort, which was led by linebacker Jesse Cardenas, who had 15 tackles, a forced fumble and 1 1/2 sacks.

A third-quarter sequence summed up Yakima’s dominance.

Oregon failed to gain one yard on two straight running plays from their own 34, turning it over on downs, leading to a Mahre field goal. On their next possession, the Outlaws were forced to punt and the snap sailed into the end zone where Yakima recovered for a touchdown.

Yakima then forced a fumble on the ensuing possession that set up Lobbestael’s TD pass to Wright on the next play.

In all, Yakima had 14 tackles for losses, including six sacks, and 22 of Oregon’s 40 running plays going for two yards or less.

“The defense came to play,” Davis said. “There were a couple of series where they just took over.”

Much like their quarterback has done.

Oregon 0 3 0 6 — 9
Yakima 7 14 16 0 — 37

Yak — Alex Mahre 48 pass from John Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Jake Zeutenhorst 16 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Jake Valenzuela 12 run (Mahre kick)

Ore — FG 38 Ian Maloney

Yak — FG 26 Mahre

Yak — Jeremy Frank fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed)

Yak — Ryan Wright 19 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Ore — FG 42 Maloney

Ore — FG 32 Maloney

YAKIMA LEADERS

RUSHING — Kenny Peterson 13-36, Nick Muir 4-29.

PASSING — Lobbestael 15-22-1-228.

RECEIVING — Wright 6-90, Mahre 5-69, Zeutenhorst 2-61.

Click here for information on purchasing any of these photos.

But as effective as YVCC’s pitchers were, it didn’t matter.

With Jake Fife and Seth Darling combining on a four-hit shutout in the first game and Kyle Garvin scattering five hits in the second, Yakima Valley swept the Sasquatch 8-0 and 5-2 at Parker Field to stay in a three-way tie for first place.

At 11-5 in region play and 21-9 overall, the Yaks kept pace with Treasure Valley and Columbia Basin. They host CBC for a doubleheader on Wednesday.

The first game was tied 0-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, during which Yakima Valley sent 11 hitters to th plate and scored seven runs.

Kyle Mall started the frame with a base hit and later added a two-run single, Kyle Thompson clubbed a two-run triple and J.R. Weigel, Reid Martinez and Tyler VonDracek added an RBI each.

Fife worked the first seven innings, striking out six and walking four. And after Darling added two more goose eggs, Garvin went the distance in the second game, fanning three and walking none.

It was 2-2 going into the home half of the seventh, but YVCC scored three runs as Martinez had a run-scoring groundout, King an RBI double and Mall a run-scoring single.

Game 1

Spokane 000 000 000 — 0 4 2
Yakima Valley 000 000 71x — 8 15 1

Gonzalez, Neilson (7), Shea (7) and Santos; Fife, Darling (8) and Chavarria.

YVCC highlights: Kyle Thompson 3 RBI; Reid Martinez 3-5, RBI; J.R. Weigel 3-4, RBI; Kyle Mall 3-4, 2 RBI; Will Chavarria 2-4; Tyler VonDracek 2-4; Jake Fife 7 IP, 4 BB, 6 K.

Game 2

Spokane 100 100 000 — 2 5 1
Yakima Valley 100 001 30x — 5 13 2

Johnson, Potter (6), Weber (7), Curtis (8) and Boe; Garvin and Smith, Chavarria (7).

YVCC highlights: Kyle Garvin 3K, 0 BB; Thompson 2-5, run; Martinez 2-4, RBI; Ryan King 2-4, 2b; Fife 2-3, RBI; Shawn Wardian 2-3, RBI; Weigel 2b.

Wildcats drop 2 at Saint Martin’s

LACEY, Wash. — Central Washington led in both of its GNAC games with Saint Martin’s on Saturday, but won neither.

The Wildcats fell 8-7 in a 10-inning first game and 12-10 in the second, falling to 7-11 in conference play and 15-21 overall.

Central led 5-1 in the opener and 7-0 in the nightcap. Ellensburg High graduate Ethan Sterkel had two hits in the second game for CWU, which meets the Saints today in a doubleheader scheduled to start at noon.

Game 1

Central Wash. 113 001 100 0 — 7 14 1
Saint Martin’s 101 201 200 1 — 8 16 1

Rohde, Jones (7), Davidson (8), Knutson (10) and Swartz; O’Bryan, LaDue (5), Klonitsko (7), Moss (7), Carter (8) and Thorpe.

CWU highlights: Brandon Wang 2-4; Derrick Webb 3-4, Brady Kincannon 4-5.

Game 2

Central Wash. 043 001 2 — 10 12 3
Saint Martin’s 006 150 x — 12 15 4

Long, Hastings (4), Knutson (5) and Sani; Goforth, Banker (3), Moss (5), Carter (7), LaDue (7) and Tracy.

CWU highlights: Kyle Sani 2-5, David Leid 2-4, Ethan Sterkel 2-4, Jimmy Ryerson 2-4.

COLLEGE FASTPITCH

YVCC splits in Crossover

Bouncing back in a big way after being shut out, Yakima Valley pounded out 13 hits in a 10-2 victory over Centralia in the NWAACC Crossover Tournament Saturday at Kiwanis Park.

Yakima Valley lost its first game 7-0 to Olympic, collecting just three hits.

But that changed against Centralia, with Krysta Beach and Kiley Dunn both going 3 for 4 with two RBI to lead the way.

Tori Slobig was 2 for 5 with three runs scored and Courtney Cable was 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI for the Yaks, who jumped out quickly with four runs in the first and extending the lead to 8-0 after three innings.

Today, Yakima Valley will meet Edmonds at 10 a.m. and Clark at 2 p.m.

Olympic 7, Yakima Valley 0

Yakima Valley 000 000 0 — 0 3 1
Olympic 004 030 x — 7 8 1

McKinley and Reeves; Kleeberger, Van Ryan (5) and Box.

Highlights: Arlene Futch (YVCC) 1-3; Jenna Bice (YVCC) 2-3; Brown (O) 2 hits, 2 RBI.

Yakima Valley 10, Centralia 2

Yakima Valley 422 101 — 10 13 0
Centralia 000 200 — 2 5 3

Marvet, Slobig (5) and Reeves; Dibetta and Haugen.

YVCC highlights: Futch 1-5, run, sb; Courtney Cable 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Tori Slobig 2-5, 3 runs; Krysta Beach 3-4, 2b, run, 2 RBI; Jessie Ihly 1-2, run, RBI; Kiley Dunn 3-4, 2 RBI; Whitney Biehl 1-3, run; Bice 1-4, run.

Saturday’s other scores

Lower Columbia 8, Big Bend 3; Mount Hood 6, Douglas 1; Treasure Valley 9, Grays Harbor 1; Clark 11, Skagit Valley 0; Clark 6, Big Bend 3; Pierce 17, Edmonds 3; Walla Walla 10, Everett 7; Olympic 5, Grays Harbor 3; Bellevue 10, Mt. Hood 0; Douglas 15, Lower Columbia 8; Chemeketa 16, Columbia Basin 5; Spokane 18, Edmonds 1; Southwestern Oregon 8, Centralia 0; Clackamas 11, Pierce 1; Everett 9, Chemeketa 0; Bellevue 6, Spokane 3; Clackamas 3, Columbia Basin 0; Walla Walla 6, Southwestern Oregon 3; Clackamas 1, Bellevue 0.

Today’s schedule

(At Kiwanis Park)

8 a.m.: Grays Harbor vs. Chemeketa (Field 1); Mt. Hood vs. Treasure Valley (Field 2); Southwestern Oregon vs. Douglas (Field 3).

10 a.m.: Clackamas vs. Walla Walla (Field 1; Mt. Hood vs. Pierce (Field 2); Southwestern Oregon vs. Spokane (Field 3); Yakima Valley vs. Edmonds (Field 4); Chemeketa vs. Treasure Valley (Field 5).

Noon: Douglas vs. Big Bend (Field 1); Pierce vs. Clark (Field 2); Bellevue vs. Grays Harbor (Field 3); Lower Columbia vs. Olympic (Field 4); Columbia Basin vs. Skagit Valley (Field 5).

2 p.m.: Big Bend vs. Skagit Valley (Field 1); Yakima Valley vs. Clark (Field 2); Spokane vs. Everett (Field 3); Olympic vs. Centralia (Field 4); Walla Walla vs. Edmonds (Field 5).

4 p.m.: Everett vs. Centralia (Field 3); Lower Columbia vs. Columbia Basin (Field 4).

CWU sweeps on Senior Day

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Bre Thomas pounded out 7 hits in 8 at bats Saturday, pacing Central Washington to a 12-11, 5-1 GNAC fastpitch sweep of first-place Montana State Billings on Senior Day at Frederick Field.

Thomas, a senior outfielder from Vancouver, was 3 for 4 in the first game, scoring a run and driving in another. She then went 4 for 4 in the second game, doubling twice and scoring two runs.

The victories improved CWU, the two-time defending conference champion, to 12-18 in the GNAC and 16-26 overall.

The first game was tied 11-11 going into the bottom of the seventh when Thomas bunted for a single, advancing a runner to second with no outs. The runner then scored on Carrina Wagner’s sacrifice fly.

Thomas raised her average from .315 to .347 against the Yellowjackets, who slipped to 24-8 and 31-13.

Central visits Saint Martin’s today for a doubleheader.

Game 1

MSU Billings 011 602 1 — 11 15 2
Central Wash. 305 111 1 — 12 17 2

Parsley, Bywater (4) and Wilkerson; Baxter, Wells (4), Gau (7) and Ellis.

CWU highlights: Bre Thomas 3-4, RBI; Jen Schwartz 2-3; Natasha Wood 2-3, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Molly Coppinger 3-4, 2b, 2 RBI; Cassi Ellis 3-4, 2b, RBI.

Game 2

MSU Billings 000 000 1 — 1 6 2
Central Wash. 002 021 x — 5 11 1

Conder and Sanders; Gau and Ellis.

CWU highlights: Thomas 4-4, 2 2b, 2 runs; Jen Schwartz 3-3, RBI; Carrina Wagner 1-3, RBI; Wood 1-3, RBI; Coppinger 1-3, run.

FOOTBALL

Mavericks cruise in opener

Kenny Peterson ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as the starting tailback as the Yakima Mavericks opened their season with an impressive 52-14 victory over the Tacoma Invaders on Saturday night at Marquette Stadium.

Peterson, a converted linebacker, got his yards on just 12 carries. He scored on runs of 21 and 8 yards.

Quarterback John Lobbestael was an efficient 14 of 18 for 157 yards and four touchdowns — two to Ryan Wright, who had a team-best five catches for 53 yards.

Alex Mahre also caught a TD pass and booted a 47-yard field goal.

The Mavericks will host the Oregon Outlaws next Saturday at Marquette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Tacoma 0 6 8 2 — 16
Yakima 14 17 21 0 — 52

Yak — Ryan Wright 8 pass from John Lobbestael (Alex Mahre kick)

Yak — Julian Villegas 6 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Kenny Peterson 21 run (Mahre kick)

Yak — FG Mahre 46

Tac — Tiki Banks 37 pass from Ben Shelton (kick failed)

Yak — Wright 11 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Yak — Peterson 8 run (Mahre kick)

Yak — Mahre 9 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

Tac — Marcus Wilson 51 interception return (Chris McKutchin pass from Shelton)

Yak — Nick Muir 1 run (Mahre kick)

Tac — Safety, runner tackled in end zone

YAKIMA LEADERS

RUSHING — Peterson 12-109. 

PASSING — Lobbestael 14-18-1-157.

RECEIVING — Wright 5-53.

GOLF

Johnston gets ace in Olympia

Rory Johnston scored his second career hole-in-one during a Wednesday round at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club in Olympia.

Johnston aced the 134-yard fourth hole using an 8-iron. Ray Gallipo and Paul Cobleigh witnessed the shot.

Players come and go, coaches as well, with great frequency, wiping rosters clean nearly every season.

That’s what makes this year’s version of the Yakima Mavericks somewhat remarkable.

Yakima Mavericks' Ryan Wright runs the ball near Clark County Vipers' Donnie W. Vercher, Jr. during the first quarter Saturday, April 23, 2011. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic file)

The football team begins its season against Tacoma at 6 p.m. tonight at Marquette Stadium with a roster that features virtually every offensive skill position player and its key defensive players back from a team that overcame a slow start to finish 7-3 and make the playoffs.

“I think we’ll be pretty good this year,” Mavericks general manager Nathan Soptich said. “We have every key member from last year’s team back.”

Coach Steve Davis said much of the stability has to do with Yakima’s reliance on local players and the cohesion they’ve built over the years.

“It’s pretty unusual,” he said of the veteran-ladden squad. “But we’re like a family. These guys want to keep playing together.”

A lack of stability hurt Yakima out of the gate last season, with Davis making a quarterback change after an 0-2 start, going back to John Lobbestael, which triggered a turnaround that saw the Mavericks win seven of their final eight games before an overtime loss in the first round of the playoffs.

With Lobbestael back at the helm this season, the Mavericks are confident they can pick up right where it left off last season.

“I think the offense will score a lot of points,” Soptich said, adding that Lobbestael has really assumed a strong leadership role.

He’ll have plenty of familiar targets to throw to, starting with Ryan Wright and Alex Mahre.

“Any time you have those (two) guys to throw to, you’re in good shape,” Davis said.

The offensive line is young but has good depth, with newcomer Adam Peters from Sunnyside, making an immediate impression. The only significant change is at running back, where converted linebacker Kenny Petterson takes over as the starter.

“He’s a tough kid,” Davis said. “He won’t dazzle you with speed, but he’ll be tough to bring down.”

While the offense seems ready to roll, Yakima’s experience could have an even bigger impact with the defense.

Anchoring that side are defensive backs Jon Devolve (8th year with team) and Jeremy Frank (4th), linebackers Jesse Cardenas (8th) and B.J. Quinn (8th), and lineman Mick Gause (4th).

Complementing that experience is an influx of new players, including defensive end Darius Benitez from Davis, linebacker Alex Couette from Eisenhower, and cornerback Quincy Davis from Selah.

“The defense has those grizzly veterans and we have some young kids to mix in,” Davis said, adding that the teams’ veterans have set a standard for the younger players to follow.

“Any time you play semi-pro, if you don’t put in the time, you won’t be that good,” Davis said. “These guys work hard. In two months, we’ve had maybe two bad practices.

“They want to win and they want to put in the time.”

NOTES: The Mavericks have lowered ticket prices this season to $5 for everyone age 12 and older, with those 11 and under getting in for free. … All home games will be played at Marquette Stadium, at 5400 W. Chestnut Ave. … Yakima will again play in the Pacific Football League. Yakima has just three road games this season.

Junior Alex Dunn led the Wildcats with 19 points and three 3-pointers, but Central was hindered by 29.2-percent shooting from the field.

Western Oregon, meanwhile, connected on 33 of 52 shots for better than 63 percent. Jade Haas and Rylee Peterson combined for 43 points, making 20 of 27 shots.

“Our shots were out of rhythm, all of which was a result of Western Oregon shooting well,” said Central coach Shawn Nelson. “They played a lot harder than we did and it showed.”

Central Washington (0-1, 2-2) plays at St. Martin’s University in Lacey on Saturday.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Alex Dunn 8-17 0-0 19; Jessica VanDyke 2-8 5-7 10; Johnson 1-6 6-6 8; Fettig 4-8 0-0 8; Burke 2-7 1-1 5; Russell 0-8 4-6 4; Jacobson 1-2 0-0 3; Gordon 1-1 0-0 2; Moser 0-3 2-3 2; Valdez 0-1 0-0 0; Albrecht 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 19-65 18-23 61.

WESTERN OREGON — Jade Haas 10-14 3-5 23; Rylee Peterson 10-15 0-1 21; Reade 3-6 2-5 8; Fowler 3-4 2-3 8; Miller 3-3 0-0 6; Clifford 2-4 0-0 5; Goularte 1-5 2-2 4; Topalovic 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 33-52 9-16 77.

Halftime: Western Oregon 36, Central Washington 25.

3-point goals: Central Washington 5-17 (Dunn 3-6; Jacobson 1-1; VanDyke 1-2; Burke 0-3; Russell 0-4; Johnson 0-1), Western Oregon 2-5 (Clifford 1-1; Peterson 1-3; Reade 0-1). Fouled out: None. Rebounds: Central Washington 33 (Fettig 6; VanDyke 6), Western Oregon 40 (Peterson 15). Assists: Central Washington 6 (Russell 2), Western Oregon 17 (Clifford 4). Total fouls: Central Washington 19, Western Oregon 21. Technical fouls: None. Att: 335.

FOOTBALL

Mavs host food drive Saturday at Rosauers

Players from the Yakima Mavericks football team will help conduct a food drive for Northwest Harvest on Saturday at Rosauers on 72nd Avenue.

The food drive will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and people are asked to bring a canned or non-perishable food item, or cash.

For more information, contact Nathan Soptich at 509-945-4834 or visit the Mavericks website at www.yakimamavericks.com.

MEETING

Monthly QB Club luncheon set for Monday

The Yakima Monday Morning Quarterback Club will hold its monthly luncheon Monday at 11:30 a.m. at the Clarion Hotel on North First Street. Lunch will be served, and the public is invited.

The Wildcats won 25-21, 25-23, 25-21, improving to 7-7 in conference play and 13-9 overall.

Offutt totaled 11 kills while Smith had 10 for CWU, which visits Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

CWU highlights: Jordan Offutt 11 kills, 4 digs, 2 blocks, 2 aces; Erin Smith 10 kills, 3 digs, 3 blocks; Carlee Marble 37 assists, 3 digs, 2 blocks; Kaely Kight 27 digs; Marcy Hjellum 12 digs.

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Thorp splits, advances to state

SOAP LAKE, Wash. — After dropping a tough five-game match to Moses Lake Christian, Thorp swept past Cascade Christian to finish second in the North Central 1B district and advance to next week’s state tournament in the SunDome.

Moses Lake Christian beat Thorp 22-25, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 15-11 to earn the top seed, but Thorp (11-5 overall) had little trouble with Cascade Christian, winning 25-20, 25-15, 25-7 in the winner-to-state, loser-out match.

Thorp highlights vs. Moses Lake Christian: Christina Price 7 kills, 15 digs, 5 aces; Katelyn Pendley 7 kills, 4 aces, 17 digs; Haley Lindelof 18 digs, 3 kills, 2 aces.

Thorp highlights vs. Cascade Christian: Pendley 20 kills, 8 digs; Price 8 kills, 13 digs, 4 aces; Alex Houle 32 assists, 7 digs, 2 aces; Lindelof 7 aces, 3 kills, 14 digs.

Knights open with victory

GOLDENDALE, Wash. — Maddy Wavrin and Stormee Van Belle had seven kills apiece as the ninth-ranked Sunnyside Christian swept its district opener against Trout Lake-Glenwood 27-25, 25-20, 25-10.

Sunnyside Christian will return to Goldendale on Saturday to face the winner of Thursday’s Klickitat-Bickleton opening-round match. Four teams are vying for one state berth.

Sunnyside Christian highlights: Alyssa Haak 18-19 serving, 12 assists; Maddy Wavrin 7 kills, 10 perfect passes; Stormee Van Belle 7 kills; Alexandra Newhouse 20-21 serving, 11 pp; Danika DeGroot 5 kills, 12 assists; Brittany Broersma 5 kills.

FOOTBALL

Mavericks set to return

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima Mavericks announced Thursday their intent to return in 2012 and continue playing in the Pacific Football League.

The Mavericks will open the season at home on April 21 against the reigning PFL champion Kitsap County Bears.

Mavericks 2012 schedule: April 21, Kitsap County Bears; April 28, at Southern Oregon Renegades (in Portland); May 5, at South Sound Shockers; May 12, at South King County Colts; May 19, Bellingham Bulldogs; June 2, Clark County Vipers; June 9, Grays Harbor Bearcats; June 16, TBA, non-league game; June 23, at Snohomish County Vikings.

MEETINGS

Monday QB luncheon set

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima Monday Morning Quarterback Club will hold its monthly luncheon at the Clarion Hotel, 1507 North First Street, on Monday at 11:30 a.m. Lunch service will be available, and the public is invited.

Wapato winter meeting set

WAPATO, Wash. — Wapato High School will hold its winter sports meeting for parents and athletes on Nov. 9. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Then at least the Mavericks would’ve had a shot.

Instead, the South King County Colts scored on the first possession of sudden-death overtime and escaped with a 20-14 playoff victory Saturday night at Sunset Chev Stadium.

With their fourth straight victory, which avenged a loss in Yakima two months ago, the Colts (8-3) advances to play the Kitsap County Bears next week for the North Division title.

Down 14-7 late in the game, the Mavericks drove 64 yards in less than two minutes to forced overtime. Quarterback John Lobbestael connected with Ryan Wright on a 10-yard scoring pass that, after Alex Mahre added the PAT kick, drew Yakima even at 14-14 with 54 seconds left.

But the Colts made quick work of the overtime as Carlos Clark hauled in his second touchdown pass to end the game on the first drive of the extra period.

The Mavericks concluded their season at 7-4.

Yakima            0 7 0 7 0 — 14
South King     0 7 7 0 6 — 20
Yakima — Tanner Goforth 36 pass from John Lobbestael (Alex Mahre kick)
SKC — Carlos Clark 62 pass from Micah Prescott (Mike Ashley kick)
SKC — Bradley Chappell 54 run (Ashley kick)
Yak — Ryan Wright 10 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)
SKC — Clark 25 pass from Carlos Sundquist

GIRLS FASTPITCH

Selah still alive at Regionals

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Despite a one-run loss to the Yakima Stealers, Selah bounced back with two loser-out victories on Saturday to remain in the 18-U ‘B’ Regional tournament at Ramsey Park.

Selah recovered by beating Liberty Lake 12-0 and Omak 11-3 as Ashley Wilkey went 7 for 9 with seven runs and four RBI and Mary Graf added seven RBI in those elimination games.

After beating Selah 10-9, the Stealers fell to the Washington Mustangs 11-2 to end their season.

SATURDAY’S SCORES

LEWISTON 5, SELAH 4. Highlights: Ashley Wilkey 2-4, run, Cheyenne Fletcher 1-3, run; Sara Bersing 1-3, run, RBI; Carly Minnick 2-3, run; Taylor Rath 1-3.

YAKIMA STEALERS 10, SELAH 9. Highlights — Yakima: Hailey Stottlemyre 2-4; Anissa Araiza 2-3, Jessi Brodorius 2-run 2b. Selah: Mary Graf 2-4, 2 RBI; Bailey Turner 1-3, run; Rath 2-4; Kylee Morse 2-3, run; Shelby Wilkey 3-3, 2 runs.

SELAH 12, LIBERTY LAKE 0. Highlights: A. Wilkey 3-5, 3 runs, 3 RBI; Graf 3-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI; Bersing 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Turner 1-4, run, RBI; S. Wilkey 3-3, 2 runs, RBI; Kari Grow 2-4, run, RBI; Morse 6 IP, 0 runs, 4 K.

SELAH 11, OMAK 3. Highlights: A. Wilkey 4-4, 4 runs, 3b, RBI; Fletcher 2-3, 3 runs, RBI; Graf 1-3, 3 RBI; Turner 2-3, RBI; Morse 2-3, 2 runs, RBI, 2 2b; Minnick 6 IP, 0 runs.

BASKETBALL

Court monitors needed

Organizers of next month’s Hot Shots 3-on-3 tournament in downtown Yakima Aug. 27-28 are looking for court monitors to help regulate play.

If you are interested, contact Will Gaethle at 509-952-9804 or Brad Cramer at 509-945-5555.

YOUTH BASEBALL

WEST VALLEY BASEBALL CLUB 12, YAKIMA VALLEY PEPPERS 7: WV highlights: Ryan Engquist 2-5, 2 runs; Kyle Conrad 4-4, 4 runs; Ryan Ross 4-5, RBI; Nick Gravbrot 2-4, RBI; Cody Lariviere 2-5, 3b; Derek Thomason 2-2, RBI.

WEST VALLEY BASEBALL CLUB 18, YAKIMA VALLEY PEPPERS 7: WV highlights: Corey Onustock 2-3, 3 runs; Conrad 3-5, 4 runs, 3 RBI; Gravbrot 2-3, 3 RBI; Kevin Schwartz 3-5, 2 2b, 2 RBI; Mikey Bonnett 4-6, 2 2b, 3b, 2 RBI; Lariviere 2-5. YVBC overall record: 32-13.

First of all, that 20-15 Yakima victory was here, at Zaepfel Stadium, and this game will be played on the South King County Colts’ home field at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

Second, the Colts (7-3) were missing several key players the first time, although they did have quarterback Leo Dickerson and running back Tristin Gray.

But most important, neither team has any true indication of just how good the other’s offense is.

It rained so hard during that May meeting that Yakima (7-3) attempted just three passes total, failing to complete one, with South King County’s passing game only slightly more effective.

“Nobody got a good feel for anyone,” Yakima coach Steve Davis said. “When it’s hard to hold the ball and hard to run the ball in the rain, every coach limits the game plan.

“I know we didn’t see their entire offense.”

Although Yakima didn’t get a good feel for the Colts’ offense, Davis knows that both Dickerson and Gray are serious threats, particularly the QB, who is averaging about 18 yards per completion with 11 touchdowns.

“Their QB is very elusive,” he said. “He gets out of the pocket and is hard to contain. He throws well on the run — even in that rain game.”

And while Davis admits Dickerson will be more dangerous on what is expected to be a dry, artificial surface today, the coach said that could also help his defense.

“That will make him faster, but it’ll also make a couple of our (defensive) guys faster,” he said of a unit that has been quite impressive since the team’s 0-2 start.

Yakima (7-3) won seven of its final eight games, and the Mavericks allowed just 81 points in those victories, with three shutouts and a fourth game in which they allowed eight points.

“Our defense, generally, never takes a game off; never takes a play off,” Davis said. “We’ve always had pride in our defense … and they’re playing with a lot of heart.”

Yakima’s offense is also playing much better, particularly quarterback John Lobbestael, who was moved from receiver to QB literally hours before the first Colts game.

Lobbestael, who ran for three touchdowns against the Colts, has been a dangerous dual threat, completing 66 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns, and also rushing for 483 yards (a 6.6 per-carry average) and 10 more scores.

“John is a lot different than in that game,” Davis said of the first meeting. “He’s looking very good right now.”

As is the entire team, Davis said, adding that the chemistry has gotten better with each week.

“Our guys stick together,” he said. “They seem to find a way to win. They’re not going to leave anything there (tonight).”

The Mavericks (7-3) claimed the North Division’s No. 3 seed and will play the No. 2 South King County Colts on Saturday at Sumner High School. The Colts upset North champ Kitsap County on Saturday 38-20.

Alex Mahre caught two touchdown passes from John Lobbestael in the second quarter and was 9 for 9 on extra-point kicks. Lobbestael completed 10 of 15 passes for three TDs.

Devin McDaniel highlighted the defense’s shutout with a 46-yard interception return for a score in the third period.

Yakima         14 21 14 14 — 63
Vancouver      0 0 0 0 — 0
Yak — Jacob Massey 2 run (Alex Mahre kick)
Yak — Massey 71 run (Mahre kick)
Yak — Mahre 12 pass from John Lobbestael (Mahre kick)
Yak — Mahre 18 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)
Yak — Massey 46 run (Mahre kick)
Yak — Ty Harvin 2 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)
Yak — Devin McDaniel 46 interception return (Mahre kick)
Yak — Massey 9 run (Mahre kick)
Yak — Nick Muir 2 run (Mahre kick)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing: Massey 13-170. Passing: Lobbestael 10-15-143. Receiving: Mahre 4-71.

Yakima faces the Vancouver Vipers at 3 p.m. in a game in Milwaukie, Ore., as part of a doubleheader with two Oregon teams in the Pacific Football League.

Yakima’s game was originally in jeopardy because Vancouver couldn’t secure a field. Had the Mavericks earned the forfeit victory, it would have put them in the playoffs.

Instead, Yakima must win today to secure that postseason berth.

Yakima and Vancouver are both 6-3, tied with the South King County Colts for second place in the North Division. If Yakima wins, it makes the playoffs, but if it loses, it has to hope the South Sound Shockers (4-5) lose to the Gray’s Harbor Bearcats (4-5) in order to make the playoffs.

The Shockers hold the tiebreaker with Yakima because of their victory over the Mavericks during the regular season. Yakima holds the tiebreaker with the Bearcats should those teams tie.

Yakima could be the division’s No. 2 seed and host a playoff game if it wins and South King County loses to the undefeated Kitsap County Bears.

Too bad it came against a team that’s playing even better than the Mavericks.

A.J. Ash’s second touchdown of the game, on a 9-yard run just inside the two-minute warning, gave the Kitsap County Bears a 24-17 victory in a Pacific Football League game.

That snapped Yakima’s six-game winning streak, while keeping Kitsap County undefeated, now at 9-0.

“We played really well but they’re a good team,” Mavericks general manager Nathan Soptich said. “We can’t be too upset losing to them.”

Yakima quarterback John Lobbestael threw scoring passes of 24 yards to Tanner Goforth and 8 yards to Serg Torres, with the latter tying the game at 17-all in the third quarter.

Yakima had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but instead of attempting a field goal on a fourth-and-goal from the Bears 2, the Mavericks went for the touchdown and were stopped.

After Ash’s score, Yakima’s final drive ended with an interception on third down.

Yakima (6-3) has this week off before finishing the regular season at Vancouver on July 9.

Yakima 0 10 7 0 — 17

Kitsap County 7 7 3 7 — 24

KC — E.J. Ash 2 run (Jose Moreno kick)

KC — J.R. Wells 24 pass from Don Pursur (Moreno kick)

Yak — Alex Mahre FG 33

Yak — Tanner Goforth 24 pass from John Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

KC — Moreno FG 36

Yak — Serg Torres 8 pass from Lobbestael (Mahre kick)

KC — Ash 9 run (Moreno kick)

YAKIMA LEADERS

RUSHING — Ryan Wright 17-67.

PASSING — Lobbestael 6-16-75 2.

RECEIVING — Goforth 1-24.

GOLF

Eglin seventhth in Women’s Sr. Am

DUPONT — A final-round 77 helped Nancy Eglin grab a share of seventh place in the 12th Washington State Golf Association Senior Women’s Amateur Championship that concluded Thursday.

The Yakima golfer had earlier rounds of 79 and 86 on The Home Course and finished at 242 total, which was matched by two other golfers.

Ellensburg’s Robin Cole finished 13th at 248 (79-85-84).

In the 18th Women’s Amateur Championship contested on the same course, Yakima’s Christine Cook finished 21st. The Seattle University junior-to-be had a 241 total (78-80-83).

Erynne Lee birdied the 18th hole Thursday to clinch the Women’s Amateur Championship by two shots over Katie Lee and Kristen Rue. Lee had a 213 total (68-70-75).

In the Senior Women’s Amateur, Ginny Burkey overcame a three-shot deficit entering the final round to beat Yasue Alkins by five shots. Burkey, the runner-up the past four years, shot 225 (76-75-74).