Cheney baseball defeats Cashmere, loses to Freeman, Lake City

The Cheney High baseball team went 1-2 in nonleague action with a 7-5 win against Cashmere, a 6-2 loss against Freeman - both games on April 5 - and a 7-3 loss against Idaho 5A defending state champion Lake City, April 8.

The Blackhawks opened the Cashmere game with three runs in the first inning, then added three more in the third on Matt Riggs' two-RBI double, with Riggs eventually scoring.

"We just came out swinging," head coach Glenn Chamberlain said. "Andrew Witt, our leadoff hitter, he sets the table for us."

It was a different story against Freeman. The Scotties led 6-0 going into the seventh inning, Cheney prevented the shutout with two runs in the bottom of the frame.

"Their team is pretty good, I expect them to be playing in the 1A state championships," Chamberlain said of Freeman.

Luke Martin had two hits while Jake Berman and Jack Peabody collected one apiece. Riggs (0-1) took the loss.

Against Lake City, Witt started things for the Blackhawks with a leadoff home run. Cheney had a 3-2 lead in the third inning until Lake City took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame followed by three more in the fifth.

"We've got five losses and in three of those we gave up runs late," Chamberlain said. "A lot of those were mental and field errors that cost us the game. I told the guys 'we're right there, we're in every game.'"

Witt was 2 for 4. Cade VanWormer had a double and both Martin and Koby Holt added one hit each. Dylan Arthur (2-1) took the win in the Cashmere game and the loss against Lake City.

Chamberlain said the Lake City game was a late addition to his team's schedule and Peyton McPherson and Devin Cook were out of town while VanWormer left after the third inning. One bright spot for Chamberlain is younger players like Kyle Peabody and Luke Martin have been stepping up in their roles.

"Luke has been our backup catcher and he wasn't getting a lot of time behind the plate before," Chamberlain said. "He's been behind the plate since the Freemansgame. We talk about guys getting a shot and taking advantage of it and he's stepped up."

The Blackhawks (1-3 Great Northern League, 6-5 overall) began the second round of league play against Pullman (2-1, 2-1) at home, April 11. They finish the nonleague portion of their schedule at Coeur D'Alene today (April 13).

"Our goals are still within reach," Chamberlain said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.