By Michael Carman

CENTRALIA — Forks’ season ended with the potential game-tying run stranded 60 feet away from home plate as the young Spartans couldn’t quite complete the comeback in an 8-7 Southwest District IV fastpitch tournament defeat Wednesday at Fort Borst Park.

Down 8-3 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Forks took advantage of a number of Rainier errors in the field to cut the deficit. The Mountaineers’ defense behind starter Elaina Henry imploded with a trifecta of errors on routine plays and the Spartans brought two runners home on singles from Avery Dilley and Katelyn Clark.

With two outs, Eighth-grader Brooklyn Rondeau connected on a two-run home run in the seventh, the second run scoring due to an error to pull within 8-7. Dilley then reached third base when her pop fly was mishandled and turned into a triple.

But with Dilley on third, Rainier induced a groundout to close the game and end Forks’ season at 8-10.

The Spartans had no seniors on the squad and could return the entire roster in 2026, 17 of 18 of whom were sophomores, freshmen and eighth-graders.

Rainier 8, Forks 7

Rainier 1 0 3 0 3 1 0 — 8

Forks 2 0 1 0 0 2 2 — 7

Pitching

Rainier — Henry 7 IP, 8 H, 7 R, ER, BB, 9 K.

Forks — Gaydeski 7 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 6 K.

Hitting

Rainier — Cruse 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI; Naval 1-4, BB, 2 R; Anderson 1-2, 2 BB, R; Lantz 1-4, R, RBI.

Forks — Johnson 2-4, 3 R; B. Rondeau 1-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; Dilley 2-4, 3B, R; Gaydeski 1-4, RBI.

Spartan first baseman Avery Dilley takes the throw from the infield for the out against Rainier on Thursday at Borst Park. Rainier ended the Spartans’ season with an 8 to 7 win.

Forks Kinley Rondeau lays down a bunt against Rainier.

Spartan Bailey Johnson with a hit against the Mountaineers. Johnson hit a home run during the first game against Napavine which defeated the young Spartans 13 to 3.

Rainier’s Gracie Lantz beats the throw to home plate, where Forks pitcher Chloe Gaydeski makes the play in a cloud of dust.