Eatonville bounces back after road loss

The Eatonville Varsity Cruisers fastpitch squad split a pair of 2A SPSL matchups last week, shaking off a disappointing Tuesday loss to Washington High School with a 20-10 bounce-back victory over Steilacoom on April 29.

Eatonville struggled early in the week, falling 7-3 to the Washington Patriots on the road. The Cruisers couldn’t recover from a quick Patriot start, as Washington plated one run in the first inning and added two more in the second. Eatonville starter Morgan Laird battled for five and two-thirds innings, striking out eight while allowing five hits and seven runs — only three of them earned — but control issues haunted her throughout, as she walked eight.

At the plate, Eatonville couldn’t mount enough offense against a tough Patriot pitcher, who scattered five hits over seven innings and struck out nine. Despite the loss, the Cruisers showed flashes at the dish. Zoe Burns led the team with a three-hit day, going 3-for-4. Chase Burns, Zoe Burns, and Lila Downey each drove in a run, and Kaitlyn Kenney showcased her speed with two stolen bases. Eatonville also demonstrated plate discipline, drawing six walks.

Looking to put that game behind them, the Cruisers responded in emphatic fashion two days later against the Steilacoom Sentinels. Eatonville’s offense erupted for 20 runs on 18 hits, overwhelming the home team in a six-inning slugfest.

Kaitlyn Kenney sparked the Cruisers in the top of the first with an RBI single, and Eatonville never looked back. Grace Field added a bases-loaded walk, Josie Lavergne’s fielder’s choice brought in another, and Morgan Laird and Lilah Chapman followed with run-scoring singles — Chapman’s hit driving in two. Kenney capped the inning with another RBI single, putting Eatonville up big early.

The Cruisers kept the pressure on in the second, capitalizing on a Steilacoom error and an RBI single by Chapman. In the third, Eatonville tacked on three more runs thanks to back-to-back RBI singles by Field and Laird.

Eatonville spread the production throughout the lineup. Lavergne finished with a team-high four RBIs, while Field, Kenney, and Chapman each collected three hits. Laird added two hits and two RBIs of her own, and Zoe Burns and Amy Tozier also had multi-hit games. Tozier drew two walks, leading the team in that category as the Cruisers collectively showed patience again, finishing with seven walks on the day.

Laird earned the win in the circle despite a rocky outing, surrendering 10 runs — six earned — on 11 hits and seven walks. But she got just enough defensive help and received more than enough run support to secure the win.

The Cruisers’ offense was relentless, with all nine starters reaching base safely. They scored in each of the first four innings and never let Steilacoom get close after the early lead.

With the win, Eatonville heads into the final week of the regular season with momentum. The Cruisers will host the Clover Park Timberwolves on Tuesday, May 6, before celebrating their seniors on Wednesday against the Foss Falcons.