Cruisers Down Thunderbirds On The Big Stage

The Eatonville Cruiser baseball team had a rollercoaster of a week, starting with a tough loss to the Tenino Beavers on Tuesday, April 16th, where they fell 15-1. Their lone bright spot came in the top of the 5th inning when Aaron Tozier's single brought in Will Sepich, who had led off with a single.

The Eatonville Cruisers pose for a photo in the outfield following their 10-3 win over the Mt. Tahoma Thunderbirds. Photo: Matt Koch

However, the Cruisers quickly rebounded with an impressive performance against the Mt. Tahoma Thunderbirds at the iconic Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Despite the Thunderbirds striking first with a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Cruisers responded fiercely, staging a remarkable 5-run rally. Michael Stogsdill's double ignited the offense, followed by hits from Colton Herbrand, Payton Hanly, and Aaron Tozier, propelling them to a 5-2 advantage.

Maintaining their momentum, the Cruisers exploded for four more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning, extending their lead to 9-2. Solid pitching from Aaron Leiter stifled the Thunderbirds' attempted comeback, securing a 10-3 victory for Eatonville. Jackson Doll's RBI in the bottom half of the inning further cemented their triumph.

Head Coach Doug Fillbach emphasized the significance of playing at Cheney Stadium, underscoring the unforgettable experience it provided for the team. Despite the win being the icing on the cake, Fillbach highlighted the players' enthusiasm and dedication, illustrating the profound impact of such high-stakes games.

“These athletes have been excited all season for this game and to see how amped up they were all day reminds me of how special these big games at Cheney really are. Providing a memorable experience for the boys is the priority anytime we play at Cheney. Getting the chance to see our players showcase their abilities and be rewarded for the hours of hard work they put into the game on such a big stage is truly remarkable.”

However, their elation was short-lived as they faced the Elma Eagles in a doubleheader the following day, mirroring their earlier season matchup where they narrowly lost by one run, they would suffer the same fate in the two games of the double header, losing 2-1 and 13-12.

With a 2-9 league record and 3-13 overall, the season hadn't unfolded as planned for the Cruisers. Nevertheless, Fillbach remained optimistic about their chances of clinching a district playoff spot, emphasizing the team's determination to pursue their goals, ““As far as our season goes, we have less wins than any of us would like. We talked a lot leading into the second half of the season about what we wanted moving forward. At that point, most of our season goals were still on the table and these young men all accepted the challenge to still pursue and push toward accomplishing our goals, the biggest of them being a return to the district playoffs and a more competitive showing this year.”

Looking ahead, the Cruisers aim to secure a crucial win over the Hoquiam Grizzlies to solidify their playoff berth. With matchups against Montesano, Hoquiam, and a non-league game against Orting on the horizon, the team remains focused on finishing the season strong and making a statement in the playoffs.