Cruisers Bounce Back Behind Tozier’s Six-RBI Night

It was a tale of two games for the Eatonville Cruisers fastpitch team this past week, as they bounced back from a lopsided loss with an explosive offensive showing to split their contests against Fife and Franklin Pierce.

Eatonville’s Amy Tozier squares up a pitch during the Cruisers’ matchup this week, delivering a clutch performance at the plate that included six RBIs in a 17-12 win over Franklin Pierce. Photo: Heather Quirie

Eatonville entered the week looking to build momentum from the previous stretch, but ran into a buzz saw on Tuesday, falling 18-2 to Fife in a game that quickly got out of hand.

Fife struck first in the opening inning and then broke things open in the third, capitalizing on control issues to plate nine runs despite recording just three hits in the frame. A string of walks and hit batters proved costly for the Cruisers, who struggled to slow the Trojans’ momentum.

Eatonville starter Josie Lavergne worked 2 2/3 innings in the circle, allowing nine runs on four hits while striking out one and walking six. Fife added eight more runs in the fifth inning, using a mix of timely hitting and continued pressure to extend the lead.

Despite the scoreline, Eatonville showed some positives. Lucy Allen paced the offense from the bottom of the lineup, going 2 for 2, while Amy Tozier and Ryleigh Chopic each drove in a run. The Cruisers also played clean defense, turning a double play and committing no errors, with Chopic leading the way defensively.

The quick turnaround proved beneficial.

Just a day later, Eatonville responded with one of its most complete offensive performances of the season, outlasting Franklin Pierce 17-12 in a high-scoring affair.

The Cardinals grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Eatonville answered immediately. The Cruisers erupted for five runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run double from Amy Tozier that set the tone.

Eatonville continued to apply pressure in the third before delivering the decisive blow in the fourth inning, erupting for eight runs on five hits. Morgan Laird delivered a key two-run double, Brooklynn Sullivan drove in two more, and Lilah Chapman added an RBI single. Tozier capped the inning with a bases-loaded single that brought home three runs.

Franklin Pierce mounted a furious comeback attempt in the fifth, scoring nine runs to tighten the game, but Eatonville held on behind timely hitting and aggressive base running.

Tozier led the charge with a dominant performance at the plate, driving in six runs on three hits, including a two-run double and two clutch singles. Aubree Mills added three hits, while Laird, Chapman, Kaitlyn Kenney, and Lavergne each contributed multiple hits as part of a 15-hit attack.

Eatonville also showcased an aggressive approach on the base paths, swiping 23 bases and drawing 13 walks to keep constant pressure on the defense. Chapman, Tozier, Mills, Kenney, Laird, Chopic, and Allen all recorded multiple stolen bases.

Lavergne went the distance in the circle, striking out eight over seven innings to earn the win.

Defensively, Eatonville remained steady once again, finishing the game without an error. Chopic anchored the effort, recording a team-high 10 chances.

With the split, the Cruisers showed both the challenges and potential of a squad capable of bouncing back quickly. Eatonville will look to carry that momentum into the coming week as it hosts Steilacoom before traveling to Clover Park, a team the Cruisers defeated 16-1 earlier this season.