March 25, 2026
ISSUE 13
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fter a week of waiting and a season opener washed away by rain, the Eatonville Cruisers finally took the field Monday eager to begin their 2026 campaign. The long layoff showed in stretches, as Eatonville fell behind early and could not recover in a 10-2 nonleague loss on the road. From the opening inning, Eatonville found itself playing from behind. A combination of early miscues and missed opportunities allowed the home
the tone for a lineup that refused to go quietly despite the score. Ryder Herbrand also provided the biggest offensive contribution for Eatonville, driving in both of the team’s runs. His presence in the middle of the lineup gave the Cruisers a spark and a reminder of their ability to produce when opportunities arise. Colton Herbrand and Ben Smith each added a hit, accounting for Eatonville’s total in the hit column. While the offense was limited overall, the combination of patience at the
team to build a quick cushion. By the time the first inning ended, the Cruisers were already facing a multi-run deficit, forced to regroup and settle in after a rocky start. Colton Herbrand got the opening assignment on the mound for Eatonville, working through two innings against a lineup that capitalized on early chances. He struck out two and walked two, but a string of hits and defensive pressure led to eight runs, six of them earned, putting Eatonville in a difficult position before the game had fully taken shape. Despite the early deficit, Eatonville showed signs of life both on the mound and at the plate as the game progressed. Ryder Herbrand came on in relief and delivered a steadier outing, giving the Cruisers a chance to reset. Over four innings, he allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out six. He worked out of multiple jams, showing composure and helping slow the pace of the game after a fast start by the opposition. At the plate, Eatonville worked to generate offense against a pitcher who found an early rhythm. The Cruisers were patient in their approach, drawing six walks and forcing deeper counts throughout the game. Santiago Ruvalcaba and Coleson Simpson each reached base twice via the walk, setting
plate and timely contact hinted at potential as the season moves forward. Defensively, Eatonville faced constant pressure from an opposing lineup that consistently put the ball in play. Even so, there were moments where the Cruisers settled in and executed, particularly in the later innings as the game’s tempo evened out behind Ryder Herbrand’s outing on the mound. The loss drops Eatonville to 0-1 to start the season, though the final score did not fully reflect the competitive stretches the team showed after the opening innings. With the first game now behind them, the Cruisers will look to build on those midgame adjustments and carry them into the next stretch of the schedule. Eatonville was set to return to action March 18, but that contest was also rained out, extending an already disjointed start to the season. Now, the focus shifts to the home opener, where the Cruisers will look to settle into a rhythm and secure their first win. They are scheduled to host Foss on Monday, March 23, before traveling for a rematch two days later. Both games are slated for 4 p.m., offering Eatonville a quick opportunity to turn the page and establish momentum in the early part of the season.
By Skip Smith
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Big Day at the Plate, Chopic Powers Eatonville With 6 RBI By Skip Smith
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fter a week of waiting and three straight rainouts to open the season, the Eatonville Cruisers fastpitch team finally took the field and experienced both ends of the spectrum in a busy stretch of non-league play. The Cruisers opened their 2026 campaign March 16 on the road against North Mason, where one difficult inning set the tone in a 15-0 loss. Two days later, Eatonville responded in emphatic fashion, erupting for 22 runs in a shortened win over Vashon Island. The split leaves the Cruisers with an early sense of both the challenges ahead and the potential within their lineup as they prepare to enter league play. In the opener, Eatonville ran into a North Mason squad that capitalized early and never let up. The Bulldogs plated three runs in the first inning and added three more in the second, quickly putting the Cruisers in a hole. Josie Lavergne drew the start in the circle for Eatonville and showed flashes early, striking out two batters. Control proved difficult, however, as she worked through traffic on the bases and allowed six runs over one and one-third innings. Morgan Laird came on in relief and provided length, tossing two and twothirds innings. North Mason continued to apply pressure, stringing together hits and taking advantage of additional walks to extend its lead. The decisive moment came in the third inning when North Mason broke the game open with eight runs. Eatonville struggled to slow the momentum as the Bulldogs collected multiple extra-base hits and consistently found gaps in the outfield.
PERLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Cruisers Baseball Looks to Bounce Back After Opener
Ryleigh Chopic posed during the team’s media day. Chopic had an incredible 6 RBI day against Vashon to lead the Cruisers.
CHOPIC, 3
Personal Bests Highlight Eatonville Track’s Early Season By Skip Smith
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he Eatonville Cruisers opened their 2026 outdoor season in full force Saturday, March 21, traveling to Rainier for the annual Rainier Icebreaker Invitational. Facing a deep field of 25 teams, Eatonville’s boy’s squad turned in a strong early-season performance, tying for fourth place with Onalaska High School. The girl’s team battled through a competitive field and finished in a three-way tie for 19th alongside Tenino High School and Pe Ell High School. The meet marked the first largescale test of the spring, and the Cruisers responded with a mix of top finishes, personal bests, and promising depth across events. On the boys side, senior Oscar Lopez-Diaz led one of the top performances of the day. After being unable to compete in the 100 meters, Lopez-Diaz returned
in the 400 meters and delivered a strong runner-up finish in 53.98 seconds, a season-best mark that set the tone for Eatonville’s sprint group. Junior Steven Haas was a standout across multiple events and one of the most versatile performers at the meet. Haas placed third in the 200 meters with a time of 24.08 seconds, then came back to take second in the 300-meter hurdles in a personal-best 45.06. He added a fourth-place finish in the high jump at 5 feet, 8 inches, also a personal best, showcasing his ability to contribute in sprints, hurdles, and field events. Eatonville’s relay team also made an impact. The 4x100 relay group of Phillip Buchholz, Lopez-Diaz, Hayes Sherrard, and Haas combined for a third-place finish in 46.66 seconds, an encouraging result for a unit still finding its rhythm early in the season. In the distance events, sophomore Gabriel Kolsrud turned in a strong
effort in the 3200 meters, placing fifth with a season-best time of 10:39.98. Jacob Golding competed in the 1600 meters and recorded a personal-best time of 7:38.47,
continuing to build experience at the varsity level. The hurdles group added valuable points, led by Rogue Pound, who placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles with a season-best 18.52. Landon Austin contributed in the 300-meter hurdles, finishing 10th with a personal-best 47.10. In the field events, Eatonville showed depth in the throwing disciplines.
EATONVILLE TRACK, 3