A big second inning helped Rainier jump in front against Tenino on Tuesday, and though the Beavers rallied, the Mountaineers were able to hold on for a 9-7 win in a non-league matchup in Rainier.
The Mountaineers got on the board first with a run in the opening frame, and they extended their lead to 8-0 with a seven-run second.
The Beavers only got one run back across the next two innings, but a four-run fifth got them back within three at 8-5.
They added another run in the sixth and seventh, but an insurance run from Rainier in the fifth helped maintain a two-run advantage.
In the seventh, Tenino had two runners in scoring position down by just two, but a groundout to the pitcher ended the game.
“We battled back,” Tenino coach Chris Johnson said. “But it was too little, too late.”
Gracie Green and Layla Hill led the Rainier offense with three runs and an RBI apiece, while Ryleigh Cruse drove in two runs. Peyton Tsagris and Elaina Henry added two hits a piece, and Mia Naval also drove in a run.
Henry pitched all seven innings, striking out five. Just one of the seven runs charged to her were marked in the book as earned.
Preslee Fisher had three hits, including two doubles, to lead the Tenino offense, and Jaeleen Woodward hit a double and drove in two runs.
Tamara Snodderly also drove in two runs, and Kylie Gonia picked up three hits and reached a fourth time via an error.
Gonia has been working on slapping the ball from the left side, something she did in all four of her plate appearances on Tuesday.
“She’s playing really well,” Johnson said, while noting that she also still provides pop from her natural right side. “She’s a good dual threat that way, and it’s really fun to watch her be successful on the left side.”
Tenino (7-12, 2-5 1A Evergreen) will host Montesano on Wednesday, while Rainier (9-8, 4-3 C2BL) will wrap up its regular season on Thursday in Winlock.
