It was fitting that Rainier softball’s star pitcher, Bailey Elwell, would be the one to christen the Mountaineers’ brand-new softball diamond Friday.
Elwell smashed the field’s first-ever hit and the Mountaineers flew past visiting Stevenson for a 15-0 victory in four innings during a Central 2B League matchup.
The Mountaineers have now won five-straight games to start the season, and coach Kyle Greenwood said it’s been fun to experience. Every infielder had at least one put out and each outfielder contributed another two on Friday.
“Bailey just has to keep relaxed and throwing strikes, knowing she’ll either strike them out or the ball will be put in play and we’ll get them out anyways,” Greenwood said.
He said every player is backing up every throw and wanting to contribute any way they can to the team — and it’s allowing Elwell to stay poised on the mound, knowing her teammates have her back.
A perfect example of that Friday was when catcher Keira Anderson picked off two Bulldog baserunners attempting to steal.
“That's the kind of confidence that's flowing through this team,” Greenwood said. “There's a consistency and a resolve to where no matter what happens, they're going to get that runner out and they're going to find a way to get the win.”
Elwell finished with seven strikeouts on the mound to earn the win. She was 2 for 3 with a triple at the plate.
Offensively, Olivia Earsley went 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs, while Brooklynn Swenson was 1 for 1 with three walks and three runs and Azlyn Tayor went 2 for 4 with three RBIs.
Rainier (5-0) now heads to spring break and will face Onalaska in a doubleheader on April 11.
