SOFTBALL

Eagles 7, Grizzlies 6

ELMA — Ignited by a five-run first inning, Elma withstood a late Hoquiam rally to take a critical Evergreen 1A League contest at Eagle Field.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the contest was moved up a day due to the threat of inclement weather.

The Eagles (1-0, 8-1) sandwiched singles by Molly Johnston, Olivia Cain, Morgan Thompson and Kassedy Olson around three Grizzly errors to build a 5-1 lead.

Elma took a 7-2 advantage into the seventh. Consecutive doubles by Maya Jump and Abbi Spradlin triggered a four-run Hoquiam outburst. But, with the potential tying run on second, Eagle reliever Destry Dineen retired the final two Grizzlies on groundouts to save the victory for starter Quin Mikel.

Jalyn Whipple drove in two runs for the Eagles.

“We got off to a good start,” Elma coach Roger Elliott acknowledged. “It was kind of a sloppy game on both parts, coming out of spring break.”

“We just didn’t seem ready to play,” said Hoquiam coach Keith Reynvaan. “We actually played pretty good ball from (the first inning) on. I guess you could say it was too little, too late.”

Weather permitting, the Eagles are scheduled to visit Montesano and Hoquiam (1-2, 5-2) will travel to La Center on Thursday.

Hoquiam 100 001 4 — 6 10 4

Elma 500 011 x — 7 10 3

Hyde and German; Mikel, Dineen (7) and Cain.

RBI: Hoquiam — Bagwell 2, Hyde, Papp, German, Spradlin. Elma — Jalyn Whipple 2, Dineen, Velasco, Cain, Thompson. Two hits: Hoquiam — Jump, German, Papp, Hyde. Elma — Mikel, Whipple. Doubles: Hoquiam — Jump, Spradlin, German, Bagwell.

Winning pitcher — Mikel (walked one; struck out four). Losing pitcher — Hyde (walked three; struck out three).