The Cheney AA American Legion baseball team started their season by going 2-1 in Federal League action this past week.
The SummerHawks opened their season with a 14-2 win over Northwest Christian.
Connor and Logan Pratt split pitching duties, with each brother only allowing one hit.
They also took advantage of NWC’s six walks, and three errors. Andrew “Goobs” Witt, on two occasions, brought in a bases loaded walk to earn RBIs.
The SummerHawks also had some success at bat after singles from the Pratt brothers, Henry Moore, Anthony Hartman, Cameron Marchand and Trey Martin, and a double from Riley Jones.
“Northwest Christian is a team that can hang in there, so I’m glad we were able to get ahead of them early,” Summer Hawks’ manager Kadeem Smalls said.
Cheney followed up the win with a second victory 7-4 over NWC. The SummerHawks appeared on the verge of a 7-0 shutout until NWC scored four in the bottom of the fourth.
Following their sweep against NWC, the SummerHawks began their second week of play with a 7-2 loss to Lakeside.
Unlike their first game, Cheney barely got their offense going. Marchand hit a home run in the second inning and Cameron Van Warmer scored the only other run for Cheney after an error by Lakesides’ first baseman.
Smalls said that the team didn’t compete as well as they had in the previous games. The SummerHawks have a chance to avenge their loss as they play Lakeside at home Friday, June 6.
Smalls said that he has worked with most of the players this spring when he was the Cheney High School JV baseball coach. He said his job now is to help them “adjust to the system” and help them build their confidence for the season.
“I’m excited about this group,” Smalls said. “This is going to be a group that’s dangerous and exciting to watch, if they play consistently.”
A day after they play Lakeside, Cheney will head to Trail, British Columbia, for a doubleheader against the Orioles. Following the weekend, they play Pullman in a non-league game, Monday, June 9, at home.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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