Dominic Pasella is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Vista High School for AZPreps365.com

CHANDLER – The weather in the Valley this spring has been abnormally hot, but the Desert Vista High School bats on Monday may have just been hotter. 

DVHS traveled to Chandler to take on Basha High School and made quick work of the Bears, defeating them 18-1 in a five-inning, run-rule victory.

“They jumped out to a 1-0 lead early, and we haven’t been down in a while,” Desert Vista head coach Pat Herrera said. “I think that gave us a little extra motivation to go out and put up some runs.”

The Thunder then rallied in the second and third innings, putting up a combined 13 runs in the frames.

DVHS starting pitcher Hagen Haefs delivered on the mound, dishing four strikeouts and allowing just one run in his start.

“I just feel that early, I needed to figure out the zone, but got it done in the end,” Haefs said. “I just want to put up a zero every time I go out there, and I want to keep my boys in the game.”

Haefs is now up to 26 strikeouts on the season in 21 innings pitched, boasting a 3.67 ERA on the year, according to MaxPreps.

Following Haefs’ day on the mound, DVHS reliever Carlos Lehman came in to close the door, going scoreless in his two innings to help avoid a Basha comeback.

A major contributor to the electricity of the Thunder offense came from the electricity in the dugout, as players consistently cheered on their teammates through their at-bats, and were there to celebrate them in the dugout after every run scored.

“It means the most,” Desert Vista junior Seth Skinner said. “I mean, our chemistry is definitely first in the state, for sure. Everyone’s close. We hang out every day. It’s good to see everyone cheer for each other.”

Following Desert Vista’s victory, it has a quick turnaround, heading to Yuma to take on Cibola High School on Tuesday. 

Desert Vista is 15-2 on the season following the win over Basha and undefeated in region play, but coach Herrera still ensures his team keeps its head level going forward.

“It’s the next game already in our heads,” Herrera said. “We’re on to Cibola, and we have a long road trip ahead.”

The trip from Desert Vista to Cibola is nearly three hours, but the Thunder players plan to make the most of their long road down south.

“I have to make sure I have a good playlist going for this one, I might throw a movie on to watch with the guys too,” Haefs said.