Mike Hernandez started coaching at Manchester Valley when the school opened in 2009, and he initially had players on the varsity who never had played softball.
The coach gradually built the Mavericks into one of the area's top programs. They broke through for their first Class 1A state championship to cap their 2014 season, and Hernandez guided them to their second straight title this season. They routed Sparrows Point, 11-0, in the 1A final. They also finished second in the competitive Carroll County league.
Manchester Valley (19-4) played better as the season progressed, going 5-0 in the postseason and outscoring opponents 68-3. They had the top player in the area in pitcher Madison Grimm, but this was far from a one-player team. Hernandez focused on the fundamentals and found a way to get contributions from players throughout the lineup.
"This group of players from freshmen through the seniors had great chemistry," Hernandez said. "As a coach, you always worry about drama when you mix all the different classes. With this group, they all knew what they were responsible and accountable for. They respected and trusted each others' skills levels and counted on each other to get the job done."