May 14, 2025
ISSUE 20
50¢
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Hunting for a job? In the market for a new home? Have something to sell? Turn to the Classifieds in The Dispatch and at dispatchnews.com
Cruisers enter postseason play By Skip Smith | Contributing Writer The Eatonville Lady Cruisers wrapped up their regular season on a high note this past week, highlighted by a forfeit win, a hard-fought rivalry battle, and a blowout victory on Senior Night that showcased their offensive firepower. The week began quietly on Monday as the Cruisers were awarded a forfeit win when Clover Park was unable to field a full team. That bump in the standings helped Eatonville keep momentum heading into a challenging road matchup. On Tuesday, the Cruisers traveled to Orting for a rivalry showdown that turned into a slugfest. Despite 15 hits and a late push, Eatonville fell 15-10. Senior Grace Field led the way at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and single, and driving in two late runs in the seventh inning. Amy Tozier chipped in early with a sacrifice fly to put Eatonville on the board in the first. Josie Lavergne, Ava Twedt, Lilah Chapman, and Field all notched three hits in the game, while Morgan Laird added two of her own. Eatonville had little time to dwell on the loss, and they came out swinging two days later on Thursday in front of a home crowd celebrating Senior Night. Before first pitch, seniors Grace Field, Ava Twedt, Lila Downey, Chase Burns, and Zoe Burns were honored for their leadership and contributions to the program. Then, the bats exploded. Zoe Burns went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, including a double and three singles, helping lead the Lady Cruisers to a 22-0 rout
SOFTBALL, 6
COURTESY HEATHER QUIRIE
Eatonville seniors posed for a photo together prior to the Lady Cruisers' big 22-0 win over Foss.
EATONVILLE TENNIS
Andersen, two doubles teams advance to Districts By Skip Smith | Contributing Writer The Eatonville High School girls tennis team delivered a gritty, hard-fought performance at the 2A South Puget Sound League (SPSL) tournament held Wednesday through Friday at Clover Park High School. Several Cruiser athletes stood out, with three entries — including the team’s top singles player and both doubles squads — advancing to next week's West Central District 3 tournament. Senior Bailey Andersen headlined Eatonville’s showing with a run to the league singles championship match. Her
path through the bracket was anything but easy. After a tense, nearly two-hour semifinal victory over Franklin Pierce, 6-2, 7-6, Andersen dug in for a marathon title match against a Steilacoom opponent that stretched three hours and 20 minutes. Despite pushing both sets to the brink, she came up just short, falling 5-7, 5-7. “I cannot recall a match that was so physically and mentally demanding as this championship match,” said head coach Alex Christensen. “Bailey just kept fighting. She’s so tough. The shots ultimately ended up not
TENNIS, 6
COURTESY MELISSA BICKFORD
Eatonville doubles team of Lillian Bickford and Alayna Meyer pose for a photo following their district berth clinching 4th place finish at the 2A SPSL tournament this past Friday.