Field's Grand Slam Sparks Lady Cruisers to Victory

The Eatonville Lady Cruiser softball team experienced a whirlwind week of triumphs and setbacks, showcasing both their formidable prowess and areas for growth in a series of exhilarating matchups.

Eatonville’s Grace Field poses with her home run ball after crushing a grand slam against the Foster Bulldogs in the Cruisers season opener. Photo: Mike Field

Kicking off their week on Monday, March 11th, the Cruisers showed their power right out of the gate, thrashing the Foster Bulldogs 24-5. The game was a showcase of power and precision, with standout performances from Grace Field, who delivered a flawless 4-4 record including a grand slam homerun and six RBIs. Not to be outdone, Kyleigh Backlund blazed the field with a triple, two walks, and four RBIs. Kaitlyn Kenney joined the offensive barrage with a triple and a walk, driving in four runs as well. The Cruisers showcased their keen eye at the plate, amassing an astounding 21 walks collectively. Sara Smith, Morgan Laird, and Zoe Burns shared pitching duties, combining to only allow one hit and striking out eight, solidifying a long-awaited victory that snapped a daunting 15-game losing streak dating back to the previous season.

However, Wednesday's showdown against the Curtis Vikings proved to be a challenge, resulting in a narrow 13-10 defeat for the Lady Cruisers. Despite the loss, Sara Smith had a great evening at the plate, going 3-4 with a double and one RBI, while Ava Twedt contributed with a 2-2 performance, securing two RBIs for her team.

Undeterred by Wednesday's setback, the Cruisers faced off against the North Mason Bulldogs on Thursday, only to encounter another stumbling block, suffering a 12-2 loss. Sara Smith and Grace Field led the offensive charge, with Smith boasting a 2-3 record and Field contributing a hit alongside one RBI.

However, the Lady Cruisers refused to let adversity define their week, closing it out on a resounding high note with a dominant 11-0 victory against the Steilacoom Sentinels on Friday. Grace Field once again showcased her presence on the field, going 2-4 with three RBIs, while Kyleigh Backlund and Lila Downey delivered stellar performances, each securing two hits and driving in crucial runs. Sara Smith's stellar pitching performance was the cornerstone of the victory, as she held the Sentinels to a mere one hit across five innings while striking out an impressive 10 batters.

Looking ahead, the Eatonville Lady Cruisers brace themselves for another action-packed week, with a doubleheader against Morton-White Pass scheduled for Tuesday, March 19th, followed by a home matchup against the River Ridge Hawks on Thursday, March 21st.