NAPAVINE — Napavine pitchers Cailyn Milton and Hannah Fay combined for 12 strikeouts as the Tigers mercy-ruled Ilwaco, 12-1, in six innings of a season-opening victory over Ilwaco at home on Saturday.
Napavine coach Josh Fay said it was nice to get back out on the diamond the day the state’s indoor mask mandate was lifted after two years of playing during COVID-19. Starting the season off with a win was an added bonus.
Milton, who started the game, fanned six batters while allowing just one run on one hit and one walk across three innings in a commendable season-opening performance. Fay pitched two innings of scoreless and hitless relief, knocking down six batters with one walk.
Patricia Helsing closed on the mound, allowing two hits, a run and a walk in one inning to seal the win.
“Cailyn did a really nice job throwing strikes and setting the tone for us the first three innings,” Fay said. “Then Hannah came in and did a nice job for a couple innings, and then Patricia did a nice job for us as well.”
While the Tigers’ three pitchers were shutting down the Fishermen’s batters, Napavine’s offense was humming as well with 10 total girls knocking base hits on the day.
Tanner Simpson led the charge at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a triple, an RBI and two runs. Hayden Kaut was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and two runs and Jordan Wilson went 1 for 2 with two RBIs and a run.
Tenino senior Natalya Marcial, who notched a base hit and scored a run, said it was nice to get back outside and play some ball after a long winter. She said the team’s strength so far is their speed on the basepaths.
“We’re still learning, so it’s good to get a game in because we have a lot of new players this season,” Marcial said. “Especially when everyone contributed.”
Twenty-six Tigers suited up — by far the most in Fay’s three years as head coach — with 20 of those getting playing time on Saturday. Thirteen of those are eighth graders.
“Took us a little bit to make some adjustments at the plate, but we knew we had a ways to go there,” Fay said. “A lot of young kids played today and everyone contributed. We’re not going to be able to do that a lot, but we were able to today.”
Napavine now has the next two weeks off as rain is scheduled to hit the area for the next week. The Tigers get back in action when they host Mossyrock at 4 p.m. on March 25 in a non-league match.
