Big Day at the Plate, Chopic Powers Eatonville With 6 RBI

After a week of waiting and three straight rainouts to open the season, the Eatonville Cruisers fastpitch team finally took the field and experienced both ends of the spectrum in a busy stretch of non-league play.

Ryleigh Chopic posed during the team's media day. Chopic had an incredible 6 RBI day against Vashon to lead the Cruisers. Photo: Perler Photography

The Cruisers opened their 2026 campaign March 16 on the road against North Mason, where one difficult inning set the tone in a 15-0 loss. Two days later, Eatonville responded in emphatic fashion, erupting for 22 runs in a shortened win over Vashon Island.

The split leaves the Cruisers with an early sense of both the challenges ahead and the potential within their lineup as they prepare to enter league play.

In the opener, Eatonville ran into a North Mason squad that capitalized early and never let up. The Bulldogs plated three runs in the first inning and added three more in the second, quickly putting the Cruisers in a hole.

Josie Lavergne drew the start in the circle for Eatonville and showed flashes early, striking out two batters. Control proved difficult, however, as she worked through traffic on the bases and allowed six runs over one and one-third innings.

Morgan Laird came on in relief and provided length, tossing two and two-thirds innings. North Mason continued to apply pressure, stringing together hits and taking advantage of additional walks to extend its lead.

The decisive moment came in the third inning when North Mason broke the game open with eight runs. Eatonville struggled to slow the momentum as the Bulldogs collected multiple extra-base hits and consistently found gaps in the outfield.

Offensively, the Cruisers were limited in their opportunities. Kaitlyn Kenney accounted for Eatonville’s lone hit, finishing 1 for 1 at the plate. Despite the lopsided score, the game marked a first step for a team that had not yet seen live action this season.

Rather than dwell on the result, Eatonville quickly turned the page and shifted focus to its next matchup. That reset paid off.

Traveling to Vashon Island on March 18 to battle to Pirates, the Cruisers came out aggressive and never looked back in a 22-2 victory that was shortened by the mercy rule.

Eatonville’s offense exploded immediately, sending a message in the top of the first inning. The Cruisers scored 13 runs in the frame, batting through the lineup with a mix of timely hitting and disciplined at-bats.

Kenney got things started with a double, and Ryleigh Chopic followed with a run-scoring single. Amy Tozier added an RBI single of her own, while Laird contributed with a run-scoring groundout.

The inning continued to snowball as Daylee Wynn and Lilah Chapman each drew bases-loaded walks. Kenney later added an RBI single in her second plate appearance of the inning, and Chopic worked a walk to drive in another run.

Tozier delivered again with a two-run single, Lavergne helped her own cause with an RBI knock, and Aubree Mills capped the inning with a two-run single as Eatonville seized full control.

The Cruisers did not let up. They added four more runs in the second inning behind RBI singles from Chopic, Laird and Lavergne, extending the lead and keeping constant pressure on the Pirates.

Chopic delivered the highlight moment in the third inning when she launched an inside-the-park home run, driving in three runs and showcasing both power and speed. She finished the game with six runs batted in on three hits, leading a relentless offensive effort.

In total, Eatonville collected 20 hits. Lavergne and Mills anchored the attack with four hits each, while Chapman, Tozier and Kenney also turned in multi-hit performances.

The Cruisers were just as aggressive on the bases as they were at the plate. Wynn drew three walks, and Eatonville consistently turned those opportunities into extra bases. Tozier, Mills, Kenney, Wynn and Chopic each recorded multiple stolen bases as the team piled up 19 steals.

Defensively, Eatonville was clean and efficient. The Cruisers did not commit an error, and Chapman led the way with nine defensive plays.

Lavergne delivered a strong performance in the circle to secure the win. She allowed just two hits and two runs over four innings while striking out nine. Her ability to miss bats and control the tempo helped Eatonville maintain its early advantage.

The contrast between the two games was stark, but together they offered a clear picture of a team still finding its rhythm. After a delayed start to the season, the Cruisers showed resilience by bouncing back quickly and putting together a complete performance.

Eatonville was scheduled to continue play March 19 against Clover Park, but that game was rained out, extending an already weather-impacted opening stretch.

Now, the focus shifts to league competition. The Cruisers are set to open 2A SPSL play March 26 on the road at Orting, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.

With one game to shake off early rust and another to showcase their offensive potential, Eatonville heads into league play looking to build consistency and carry forward the momentum from its breakout performance against Vashon.