At the start of the softball season, Borrego Springs High School freshman Mia Avila-Siqueiros had no idea of what she was in for.

She went from not being on the team — or even in the school — to throwing a one-hitter to lead the Rams to their first-ever section softball title, downing Warner 9-1 in Thursday’s CIF San Diego Section Division 5-AA title game on campus at San Diego State.

“I started the season being homeschooled, not even knowing I’d be on the team,” said Avila-Siqueiros. “I’m honestly surprised. I’m so proud to be on this team and all the hard work we’ve put in — all the practicing in 100-degree temperatures.”

Borrego Springs took the early lead in the top of the first in the battle of Manzanita League co-champs. The Rams scored twice without a hit as Kayla Rodriguez and Avila-Siqueiros reached on walks and came around to score with a combination of stolen bases, wild pitches and an error.

The Rams (16-9) stretched it to 3-0 in the fourth inning when Alexandra Torres walked and came around on the first hit of the game, a double by Nallybe Hernandez to left.

“I felt amazed how I hit it,” explained Torres. “The sound of the bat sounded so loud.”

Meanwhile, Avila-Siqueiros was silencing the Warner bats, allowing just four walks and an error in the first five innings.

In the fifth, the Borrego Springs’ bats came to life, scoring five runs on five hits to break open the game. Big RBIs in the inning came from Michelle Llamas, Torres, Alexandra and Camila Hernandez.

“With (Alexie) Holt on the mound for them, we knew we had to feature our running game; that was the plan,” said Borrego Springs coach Vanessa Rodarte. “It was nice when our bats came alive in the fifth.”

Holt, a junior, pitched an outstanding game for the Wildcats (11-8). She finished the night with a dozen strikeouts

“That’s exactly what you expect out of her,” said Warner coach Bradly Guachino. “She pitches her heart out; you can tell she’s a step above.”

Guachino was happy the way his team fared after losing 27-8 to Calipatria in last year’s 5-AA title game.

“When we were down 9-0, we told the kids to fight to the end, and that’s exactly what they did,” said Guachino. “But you’ve got to give it to Borrego, they made the plays.”

The Wildcats avoided the shutout in the bottom of the sixth as Holt reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second base and scored on Avalina Ortiz’s single to right for Warner’s only hit.