Ryder Herbrand Helps Fuel Eatonville To Three-Game Sweep

Ryder Herbrand had a week to remember.

The Eatonville Cruisers’ pitcher and outfielder dominated on both sides of the ball as the Cruisers rolled through a three-game stretch, outscoring their opponents 51-7 and sweeping all three games last week to push themselves into fourth place in the standings. It was the kind of week that turns a season around, and Herbrand was at the center of nearly every big moment.

Eatonville's Ryder Herbrand delivers against Clover Park Monday. Herbrand tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven in a 10-0 Cruiser win. Photo: Heather Quirie

Herbrand set the tone Monday, taking the mound against Clover Park and delivering one of his best outings of the season. He tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven in a 10-0 Cruiser victory. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in two runs, with his first-inning double to left field igniting a two-run frame that got Eatonville on the board early. Colton Herbrand followed with a single down the left field line to score another run, and the Cruisers never looked back.

Ben Smith added a run-scoring single in the second to push the lead to 3-0, and Eatonville kept the pressure on throughout the afternoon. The Cruisers finished with 11 hits, spreading production up and down the lineup. Colton Herbrand, Smith, Colston Bruun and Ryder Herbrand each had two-hit performances, while Waylon Berg, Scout Horan and Ryder Herbrand each drove in two runs. Eatonville swiped four bases and played clean defense, committing no errors.

The offense showed no signs of letting up Tuesday. Eatonville erupted for 11 runs in the first inning and cruised to a 20-2 rout over Washington, putting the game away early. Santiago Ruvalcaba got things started with a run-scoring single, Colton Herbrand laced a two-run double, and Smith capped the inning with a three-run single. The Cruisers tacked on five more in the second inning, with Bruun delivering a two-run single as part of another productive inning.

Smith finished the day 4-for-5 to lead the lineup, while Ruvalcaba went 3-for-4 and continued his strong week at the top of the order. Colton Herbrand and Ryder Herbrand each knocked in three runs. Eatonville drew nine walks as a team and stole five bases. On the mound, Smith earned the win, striking out eight over five innings and allowing just one earned run.

Wednesday brought more of the same, with Ryder Herbrand delivering the signature performance of an already remarkable week. He drove in four runs on three hits, including a first-inning triple and a two-run double in the fourth, as Eatonville pounded Washington 21-5. The Cruisers sent eight runs across in the first inning with Herbrand tripling to lead off the scoring, Ruvalcaba doubling to bring him in, and Berg adding a two-run single to cap a big frame.

Eatonville put the game away for good in the sixth, hanging 10 runs on Washington on just four hits to push the final margin to 16. Smith came through with a two-run single, and a Colton Herbrand two-run double highlighted a chaotic, walk-filled inning that emptied the scoreboard. Ruvalcaba finished with 3 hits for the second straight game, while Colton Herbrand and Smith each collected multiple hits. Eatonville drew a staggering 15 walks and stole five more bases. Coleson Simpson earned the win in relief, retiring Washington in order over one clean inning, while Landen Davis, Colton Herbrand, Lj Osborn, Cjay Russell and Horan all contributed out of the bullpen to finish things off.

Over three games, the Cruisers collected 39 hits, drew 33 walks and scored 51 runs while allowing just seven. Multiple players contributed across the week, but it was Ryder Herbrand who emerged as the clear catalyst, whether painting corners on the mound Monday or delivering extra-base hits in the middle of big rallies later in the week.

Now the Cruisers have something to play for. A two-game series against Orting looms this week, and a sweep would allow Eatonville to leap frog the Cardinals into third place heading into the postseason. The Cruisers host Orting on Tuesday for Senior Night before wrapping up regular season play with a road game at Orting the following day.