Tenino's softball team is hitting its stride at exactly the right time, cruising to a third consecutive victory with an emphatic 16-7 win over Castle Rock on Friday afternoon. The Beavers jumped all over the Rockets early, scoring 14 runs in the first three innings to build an insurmountable lead that their opponents could never fully erase.

The game was effectively decided in the opening frame, as Tenino plated four runs—three of them coming on two passed balls—to seize control immediately. They weren't done there, adding five more runs in both the second and third innings. The key blow came in the third when Kylie Gonia ripped a two-run single, finishing the day a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, four runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Preslee Fisher also contributed two hits for the surging Beavers.

Castle Rock showed fight, scoring three runs in both the second and fourth innings, but Tenino's early cushion proved too much. The Beavers' defense, which has been a work in progress this season, stepped up when it mattered most. "We're able to stop the bleeding which usually doesn't happen for us," said head coach Chris Johnson. "We're playing better defense than we've been playing in a long time. Overall I am really happy with how we're playing and getting ready to make that district push."

Tenino pitcher Burkhardt worked six innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts, while Grayless closed it out with a scoreless seventh. For Castle Rock, Rister went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Wetch added two hits and an RBI of his own.

With momentum on their side and a district push looming, the Beavers (7-11) will look to keep the good times rolling when they face South Thurston County rival Rainier on Tuesday.