May 7, 2025
ISSUE 19
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Cruiser girls tennis clinches first league title since 2018 By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville High School girls tennis team capped a grueling and triumphant week with a league title, their first since 2018, in a series of matches that tested the team's resolve and rewarded its perseverance. The Cruisers secured the title with a 4-1 win Thursday over Washington High School on Senior Night, pushing their final league record to 11-1. The victory capped a perfect 3-0 week, following wins over Foss and Steilacoom earlier in the week. Head Coach Alex Christensen credited his team’s determination and depth, particularly in overcoming the mid-week injury loss of senior standout Alayna Meyer. “This is our first league title for the team since 2018,” Christensen said. “The girls showed their depth and resilience this week. Alayna is one of our top players, and we wouldn't have been in this position to win the league without her all season. Our girls had to step up and play their best with Alayna out. They took on this challenge, took care of business, and brought the title home. They definitely COURTESY DEANNA ANDERSEN
TENNIS, 3
The Eatonville High School girls tennis seniors pose for a photo during Senior Night.
Cruiser baseball dominates grueling 3-game week By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
COURTESY HEATHER QUIRIE
Eatonville's Brody Thirtyacre gets one of his three hits he recorded in a game against Washington last week.
In what was arguably their toughest stretch of the season, the Eatonville High School baseball team proved they’re hitting their stride at just the right time. The Cruisers played three games in three days this past week and came away with a clean sweep, outscoring their opponents 41-2 in a dominant stretch that showcased their pitching depth, aggressive base running, and an explosive lineup. The week began April 28 with a statement win at home over Foss. Eatonville wasted no time taking control and never looked back, routing the Falcons 16-1. The Cruisers capitalized early on a Foss error before Michael Stogsdill ripped a single down the left field line to bring in another run. The floodgates opened in the second inning when Eatonville plated eight runs on five hits. Owen Archer delivered a two-run triple, followed by RBI contributions from Ben Smith, Brody Thirtyacre, Michael Stogsdill, Aaron Tozier and Aaron Leiter. By the end of the third inning, Eatonville had built a 16-run lead, fueled by patience at the plate and timely hits. Ethan Evans, Stogsdill, Tozier, and Santiago Ruvalcaba all reached base to extend the lead. Archer capped off the third with a sacrifice fly. On the mound, Leiter picked up the win, throwing 4.2 innings of two-hit ball while
striking out nine. Stogsdill came in for relief, locking things down as Eatonville cruised to victory. The Cruisers tallied 11 hits in total, led by Stogsdill, Smith, and Ruvalcaba, who each had two. Eatonville also wreaked havoc on the base paths, swiping 10 bags — Smith and Colton Herbrand each stealing multiple bases. With no rest, Eatonville returned to the diamond Tuesday to host Washington in the first of a two-game series—and again showed no signs of fatigue. Powered by Thirtyacre’s monster day at the plate, the Cruisers blanked the Patriots 12-0. Thirtyacre was locked in from the start. He doubled in two runs in the first, singled in two more in the fourth, and added another RBI double in the fifth to finish with five RBIs on three hits. Stogsdill, Berg, and Smith also chipped in offensively as Eatonville jumped to a 6-0 lead by the second inning. Thirtyacre wasn’t just a problem for Washington with the bat—he was just as lethal on the mound. The right-hander gave up only one hit in 4 2/3 innings, striking out eight. Despite issuing nine walks, he kept the Patriots off the scoreboard. Stogsdill again came in as a reliable arm out of the bullpen. The defense was sharp behind him,
BASEBALL, 3