In a campaign as long as the RIIL spring softball season, every team is assured its fair share of peaks and valleys as it fights its way through the slog of the regular season. Fortunately for the Cranston West softball team, it enjoyed an extended stay on the peak on Sunday, dominating Chariho, 7-3, en route to an early season victory.

From the very start, the game seemed to be in Cranston West’s hands, as the Falcons completely minimized the Chargers’ offense. Riding a feast-or-famine defense that yielded two errors but also turned an astounding four double plays, Cranston West blanked the Chargers until they scored a few meaningless runs in the final frame with the game already out of reach.

“We have four freshmen starting and four seniors, and what comes with that sometimes is a little bit of growing pains,” said Cranston West head coach Jeff Smith in regards to his team’s up-and-down defense.

But while the defense certainly had its moments, the key to the Falcons’ success on Sunday lay in the hands of starter Jenna Palmer. Palmer – who, ironically, injured herself earlier in the year during the team’s injury fund game – gave up a healthy share of base runners, but never seemed to allow any hard contact, limiting the opposition to singles and walks while eliciting the weak grounders that led to the team’s game-changing double plays. 

“(Jenna’s) been hurt, and she’s coming back, recovering,” said Smith. “She’s not 100 percent yet, but she is getting there.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Falcons struck early and often, as they held a commanding lead for most of the game. The heart of the Falcons’ order consistently delivered timely hits, as right fielder Blake Jackman, catcher MacKenzie Beyer and second baseman Keara Pedroso combined for four RBI, helping to build what turned out to be an insurmountable seven-run lead entering the top of the seventh.

The final half-inning may not have been very pretty – with Palmer clearly tired after going six strong, plunking the first two batters before eventually being relieved – but all in all, the Falcons submitted a dominant performance from start to finish en route to the win.

So while there is plenty to build on with a roster that holds such a stark contrast between experienced seniors and talented freshmen, Sunday marked the example of what can happen when that precocious young talent and steady veteran presence come together in just the right way.

“Every game we’re getting better and better,” said Smith. “Consistency in the field is going to be a key for us, and we’re looking to find that as the season goes along.”

Cranston West will have to put its win in the rear-view mirror quickly, as the grind of the regular season marches on. But for one moment on Sunday, amid a season that promises to be full of ups and downs, the Falcons had a win in-hand nearly from the get go, and that is a respite to be treasured as they make their way through the crucible of the regular season and into the playoffs.