Cruisers Dominate Under the Lights at Cheney Stadium Behind Berg, Herbrand

It was a week that showed both the sting of a missed opportunity and the promise of a team still building momentum at the right time.

The Eatonville Cruisers split their season series with Franklin Pierce and followed it up with a decisive non-league win over Mount Tahoma, leaving the club with renewed focus as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Eatonville senior Waylon Berg loads up in the batter's box during the Cruisers' 11-1 victory at Cheney Stadium. Berg finished the night 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, playing a key role in Eatonville's dominant offensive performance. Photo: Heather Quirie

Eatonville opened the week looking to complete a sweep of Franklin Pierce after a narrow 3-2 win in their previous meeting. Instead, Tuesday’s rematch turned into late-inning heartbreak, as the Cruisers fell 3-2.

The game was tied at two entering the bottom of the sixth inning before control issues proved costly. Franklin Pierce used a pair of walks to push across the go-ahead run, capitalizing without the benefit of a hit.

Eatonville had set the tone early. In the top of the first inning, Colston Bruun delivered a clutch single that brought home two runs and gave the Cruisers an early lead. From there, pitching and defense carried much of the load.

Starter Ben Smith worked five innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven. He worked around four walks and kept Eatonville in position to win. Colton Herbrand came on in relief and struck out one, but was tagged with the loss after issuing four walks in the decisive sixth inning.

Despite the result, Eatonville showed sharp play in the field. The Cruisers committed no errors and turned a double play, with Santiago Ruvalcaba handling a team-high nine chances cleanly.

At the plate, Bruun led the way, going 2 for 3 with two runs batted in.

Franklin Pierce’s patience at the plate made the difference. The Cardinals drew eight walks and used aggressive base running to create pressure throughout the game.

The loss prevented Eatonville from sweeping the season series, but the response just a few days later showed a team capable of bouncing back.

On Friday night, the Cruisers traveled to Tacoma for a non-league matchup against Mount Tahoma at Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers. Backed by a strong turnout of Eatonville supporters, the Cruisers delivered one of their most complete performances of the season in an 11-1 victory.

Colton Herbrand set the tone on the mound. The senior right-hander held Mount Tahoma hitless through the first 3 1/3 innings before allowing a double that led to the Thunderbirds’ only run. He went the distance in the five-inning contest, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out eight and walking one.

Offensively, Eatonville wasted no time getting started. The Cruisers opened the scoring in the first inning on a wild pitch that scored Ben Smith, and then added to their lead in the second with run-scoring plays from Jose Cruz Diaz and Coleson Simpson.

The lineup continued to produce in the third inning, with Waylon Berg driving a ball down the right field line for a run-scoring single. Additional runs came on a dropped third strike and another RBI single from Cruz Diaz.

The game broke open in the fourth inning when Eatonville plated five runs on five hits. Colton Herbrand highlighted the inning with a triple, while Berg, Bruun and Smith each drove in runs as the Cruisers pulled away.

Berg led the offensive surge, finishing 2 for 3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Herbrand, Smith and Russell also collected two hits apiece as Eatonville racked up 13 hits in total.

The Cruisers were aggressive on the bases, swiping six bags, including two from Cjay Russell. Defensively, Eatonville remained steady, committing no errors, with Ruvalcaba again leading the way with eight plays in the field.

With six games remaining in the regular season, Eatonville appears to be finding its rhythm at a crucial point.

The Cruisers return to league play this week with three games on the schedule. Eatonville hosts Clover Park on Monday, a team it defeated 12-0 earlier this season, before opening a two-game set against Washington with a home game Tuesday and a road matchup Wednesday.

With a favorable schedule ahead, the Cruisers have a clear opportunity to build momentum and strengthen their push toward postseason play.