In the first round of the 2B District 4 Tournament at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey, the Rainier softball team dispatched Stevenson, 6-2, Monday.
The win propels the Mountaineers into a Wednesday afternoon matchup with Forks in the district quarterfinals at Fort Borst Park.
“A fantastic battle between us and Stevenson,” Mountaineers coach Kyle Greenwood said. “They have improved defensively a lot so even though we would hit some crushing drives they were getting the out. All you can do as a batter is crush a line drive or hard hit a grounder and put them under pressure to make the play.”
The Mountaineers outhit the Bulldogs 12-1, but only put six runs across, stranding nine on base. Madison Mounts hit a two-run homer to lead the way, and Alyssa Lofgren went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs.
In the circle, C2BL co-MWP Bailey Elwell pitched a complete game, with both runs earned on one hit and three walks, and 16 strikeouts.
“Bailey was outstanding in the circle,” Greenwood said. “Sixteen strikeouts in a district playoff shows her mental toughness and drive to give her teammates that edge to get the W.”
The Mountaineers will match up with the Pacific No. 2 Forks Wednesday in Centralia at 2 p.m.
