The Rams finished the season with 40 home runs, including 16 by Avvisato, 10 by Moore and nine by senior Hailey Peterson.

“We’re built on that long ball mentality and hitting the ball hard and scoring a lot of runs,” Coach Kevin Bednoski said. “Once we knew we were establishing solid contact early in the game … we knew we were in a position to hit the ball hard.”

A home run sent Riverside (24-3) to the final less than a day earlier, when Peterson connected for a walk-off grand slam with the Rams down by two in the seventh inning against Hickory. The Rams sent the ball over the fence in their next at-bat the following morning — Avvisato crushed a no-doubter to left-center field to start the championship game.

Moore said the Rams knew they had a good shot at the title when Avvisato rounded the bases. Two innings later, frustrated by her performance in her first at-bat, Moore found a down-and-in pitch and laced the ball high into right field. Peterson, standing in the on-deck circle, waved goodbye to the ball as it soared up and out.

“The energy just started blasting,” Moore said.

Consecutive hits from juniors Christina Franco and Natalie Johnston ballooned the lead to 4-0, and the Rams took a four-run advantage into the bottom of the seventh. With their dramatic semifinal victory fresh in their minds, they didn’t let their guard down until the final out.

“Look, we were in this exact same position yesterday, and we didn’t give up,” Bednoski told his players. “Don’t expect them to give up.”

The Rams induced a pop out and a flyout in the first two at-bats of the seventh, and suddenly they could taste their first title. Peterson, in center field, walked toward Moore in left for a brief conversation.

“Oh, my gosh, I have chills right now,” Peterson said.

“I do, too,” Moore responded.

Seconds later, Moore recorded the season’s final out. Her teammates came rushing toward her, ready to start the celebration.