Lady Cruisers Can't Tame Grizzlies, Take Down Mountaineers

The Lady Cruisers experienced a rollercoaster week, marked by highs and lows as they battled through a series of matchups.

The week kicked off on Monday, April 15th, as the Lady Cruisers played host to the Hoquiam Grizzlies at their home field, with hopes of securing a strong start. However, the Grizzlies had other plans, emerging victorious with a dominant 19-7 win. Despite the setback, the Cruisers found a glimmer of success in Amy Tozier's impressive 2-run homer, her first of the season, in the 4th inning. Ava Twedt proved to be a bright spot for Eatonville, leading the team with 3 hits, going 3-4 at the plate and driving in 3 runs in the defeat.

Eatonville' Amy Tozier proudly shows off the ball she hit over the left field fence for her first home run of the season. Photo: Tonya Hirn

Refusing to be deterred by their opening loss, the Cruisers rallied back in their next matchup against the Rainier Mountaineers. Although the Mountaineers grabbed an early lead, scoring 3 runs in the first inning, the Cruisers fought back, narrowing the gap to 3-2 by the end of the second inning. A burst of offensive firepower in the following inning saw Eatonville surge ahead with 5 runs, taking a commanding 7-3 lead. Despite Rainier's efforts to claw their way back into the game, the Cruisers held strong, ultimately securing a 10-6 victory. Aubrey Mills showcased her prowess with 2 hits, going 2-3 at the plate, scoring 2 runs, and driving in 2. Pitcher Sarah Smith delivered a stellar performance, pitching a full 7 innings and tallying an impressive 10 strikeouts.

Buoyed by their midweek triumph, the Lady Cruisers entered their final game of the week against the Hoquiam Grizzlies, seeking redemption for their earlier defeat. Despite Sarah Smith's valiant efforts, highlighted by her third home run of the season and a perfect 3-3 performance at the plate, the Cruisers fell short, succumbing to an 11-7 loss. Smith's remarkable outing included two doubles to accompany her home run, accounting for 6 of the team's 7 runs in the contest.

As the week drew to a close, the Lady Cruisers reflected on the highs and lows of their fastpitch journey, determined to regroup and refocus for the challenges that lie ahead in the remainder of the season.