Eatonville Fastpitch Holds Off Tenino for 7-6 Season-Opening Victory
The Eatonville Cruisers built an early lead and held off a late Tenino rally to earn a 7-6 victory in their season opener this past Friday at home.
Eatonville trailed early after Tenino’s Chloe Grayless doubled in two runs in the top of the first. The Cruisers answered in the second, stringing together singles from Lila Downey, Zoe Burns, and Kaitlyn Kenney to take a 3-2 lead. Eatonville extended the advantage in the third as Downey singled in another run, and an error allowed another to score, pushing the lead to 5-2.
The Cruisers tacked on two more in the fifth to make it 7-3, taking advantage of Tenino’s defensive miscues and drawing key walks. However, the Beavers didn’t go quietly, mounting a seventh-inning rally. A single, a walk, and an error helped Tenino close the gap to 7-6, but Eatonville held firm to secure the win.
Josie Lavergne earned the victory for Eatonville, going the distance despite a high pitch count. The right-hander allowed seven hits and six runs—only two of them earned—while striking out eight and walking eight over seven innings.
Eatonville’s offense finished with 10 hits, led by Downey, who went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Ava Twedt and Downey each had two hits, while the Cruisers demonstrated patience at the plate, drawing nine walks.
Defensively, Eatonville made key plays, turning two double plays to help limit Tenino’s scoring chances.
“This win was an amazing jump start to our season,” Eatonville head coach Jen Smith said. “We worked out some first-game jitters and added a lot of energy and excitement to our team dynamic this year. I am very excited to see this group of girls together.”
The Cruisers (1-0) will look to build on the win when they host Bethel on Monday.
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