Cruisers Drop Doubleheader, Skid Reaches Four Games

A rain-soaked start to the week kept the Eatonville Cruisers off the field, but the break did not bring a turnaround.

Eatonville's Colton Herbrand follows through on a swing during an earlier Cruisers home game. Herbrand led Eatonville offensively in Thursday's second game of a doubleheader against Steilacoom, driving in three runs, but was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs over three innings on the mound in a 6-4 defeat. Photo: Heather Quirie

After three straight cancellations Monday through Wednesday, Eatonville finally returned to action Thursday with a doubleheader against the Steilacoom Sentinels in Steilacoom. The Cruisers dropped both games, extending their losing streak to four.

In the opener, Eatonville fell 9-2 and struggled to generate offense. Steilacoom took control early with two runs in the first inning and added to its lead in the third.

Eatonville managed just two hits, one each from Waylon Berg and Ben Smith. Coleson Simpson drove in a run, while Berg added pressure on the bases with two stolen bases. The Cruisers showed patience at the plate with seven walks and were aggressive on the base paths with four stolen bases. They also turned two double plays defensively.

Smith took the loss on the mound, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing three runs, two earned.

Game 2 was more competitive, but Eatonville came up short in a 6-4 loss.

Steilacoom jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning, but Eatonville responded in the second, taking a 4-3 advantage with the help of an error. The lead did not hold. Steilacoom regained control in the fourth and held on the rest of the way.

The Herbrand brothers led Eatonville offensively with Colton driving in three runs while his younger brother Ryder collected three hits. Simpson provided steady relief work, allowing two runs, none earned, over four innings. Herbrand and the defense contributed a double play in the field.

Colton Herbrand was credited with the loss after starting the game and allowing four runs over three innings.

Eatonville will look to snap its skid Tuesday, April 21, on the road against the Franklin Pierce Cardinals. The teams will meet again the following day in Eatonville.

The Cruisers close out the week Friday at Cheney Stadium against the Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds. First pitch is set for 7 p.m., and the team is encouraging fans to come out for the evening game. Tickets will be available at the high school main office or at the stadium.