Lady Cruisers Are League Champs!
The Lady Cruiser Fastpitch team wrapped up their COVID shortened season this past week by defeating the Franklin Pierce Cardinals 20-0 to claim the 2021 SPSL 2A league championship.
Junior Hailey Rath would come up big again for the Cruisers by hitting two more home runs in the game to increase her season total to 15 home runs in 13 games and break her Cousin Brooklynn Lucht’s record of 13.
“It’s awesome, actually,” Rath said of eclipsing her cousin’s mark. “I knew I was going to come out and work my hardest this year. I didn’t think it would be this crazy.”
Crazy is an understatement. Rath would also drive in an astonishing 58 runs for the Cruisers in those 13 games. Just as astonishing would be the fact that she would hit more home runs (15) than she would singles (10) or doubles (10).
Brooke Blocker would hit her 7th home run of the season and drive in 4 Cruiser runs while Haley Smith would hit her first and drive in 3.
Earlier in the week saw the Cruisers defeat the Orting Cardinals 28-10 behind the power of Brooke Blocker who would hit 3 home runs in the game to lead the Cruisers with 4 hits. Mary Chabot would also have a multi home run game with 2 of her own.
Earlier in the week, the Cruisers would also take down the White River Hornets 14-0 with Hailey Rath going 4-4 at the plate and Cailin Quinney hitting her third home run of the season.
On the season, Rath would lead the Cruisers in a multitude of offensive categories. The most impressive being her 15 home runs in only 13 games. She would also lead the team in batting average (.704), hits (38), doubles (10), RBI (58), runs scored (41), stolen bases (10), slugging percentage (1.833), and on base average (.747).
There would be many school records set in this shortened season besides the home run record Rath broke. Her team leading totals in batting average and on base average would also be school records.
Alina Quinney would also break a school record with the lowest K% with only striking out 3 times in 60 plate appearances.
Head Coach Jen Smith and her assistants were very happy with how the season turned out and how their players responded to the crazy season.
“The shortened season, there is a lot to say with this group of girls. Between the coaches we had many talks of what could have been. With the players we took a different road and looked at all the positive things this season could and did bring. The first and most important was having the opportunity to actually play the game we love after missing our season last year”.
Smith added, “The players showed they were there to make up for missed time this year by breaking many school records. After each game we talked and give a “one two” about our game. After our last game Berkeley Porter gave the best “one two” that I feel summed up our season. She said "being here with you guys at games and practice is the best part of my day, I am going to miss this, thank you guys". Our team this year was selfless. Everybody seemed to root for each other and genuinely care about one another and in my opinion that is a win in itself”.
The Cruisers finish the 2021 season with a 12-1 record and the league title. Eatonville won its final 12 games of the season after losing its opener to 2A power Rochester in a nonleague contest.
