The Rainier Mountaineers will face off against the Wahkiakum Mules at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Rainier knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past five contests -- so hopefully Wahkiakum likes a good challenge.
On Monday, Rainier got the win against Morton/White Pass by a conclusive 11-1.
Dayton Gardner
| 04/28/25 vs Morton/White Pass | 6 |
| 04/04/25 vs Onalaska | 5 |
| 03/27/25 @ Toutle Lake | 4 |
| 03/22/25 @ Mossyrock | 3 |
| 03/29/25 @ Napavine | 2 |
Dayton Gardner was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs. Rainier is undefeated when Gardner posts two or more runs, but 4-10 otherwise.
In other batting news, Rainier got a big performance out of Peyton Sheaffer, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Sheaffer has become a key player for the Mountaineers: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 5-9 otherwise. Blake Fennel was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Rainier always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .607. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .600 or higher in four consecutive games.
Meanwhile, it may have taken ten innings to finish the job, but Wahkiakum ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 7-5 win over Ocosta. The victory continues a trend for the Mules in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now won three in a row.
Cooper Carlson made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other pitching news, Parker Leitz and Aiden Scott dominated on the mound. Leitz pitched 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits, while Scott struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Leitz has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Rusty Morrison, who got on base in three of his six plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of M Curl, who went 3-for-4 with one stolen base.
Rainier is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six matches. That's provided a massive bump to their 7-10 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.3 runs over those games. As for Wahkiakum, their victory bumped their record up to 9-2.
Rainier couldn't quite get it done against Wahkiakum in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 12-8. Can the Mountaineers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
