By JOHN McCALLUM
Editor
Blackhawks' manager Randy Elam is like a kid on Christmas morning when it comes to his 2011 Cheney High School baseball team. The fifth-year Cheney manager is excited, something one might consider odd since the Blackhawks graduated 12 seniors from last year's 18-4 squad that won its second straight Great Northern League title and advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing to Selah.
But maybe that's just the point.
“As a coach, I feel like I'm getting a brand new team,” Elam said.
Three varsity players return for the Blackhawks – seniors Cameron Lowe, Parker Franklin and Bryce Crooks. Joining them are three more seniors up from junior varsity: Cole Chibidakis, Justin Pope and Spencer Harwood.
While promising, what makes Elam happy is the class behind them. Cheney has 17 juniors out this year with likely at least eight and maybe nine joining the varsity. Together, the seniors and juniors present a lineup that will give Elam and his assistant coaches a lot of options.
“They're all pretty decent, they're great kids,” Elam said. “There's kids who can pitch; there's kids who can run; there are kids who can swing it.”
Cheney is usually blessed with a lot of arms and 2011 is no different. Lowe is the Blackhawks' ace, and when the Lewis-Clark College signee is on and injury free he's almost unhittable.
He'll get some solid support from Crooks, who is coming off a shoulder injury, along with juniors Spencer Rassier, Jeremy Alderman and Dakota Torkelson, all of whom had success last summer during American Legion ball.
Defensively it will be Franklin getting most of the reps behind the plate, with junior Brandon Ware backing him up. Around the horn it will be Rassier at first, Drew Henry at second, Alderman at short along with Lowe when not pitching, and Tyler Smith at third.
Torkelson takes up position in the outfield at center with Cody Ableman in left and Crooks in right. Also getting playing time will be Chris Hammer and Josh Maio.
Offensively the Blackhawks lineup will most likely fluctuate a bit, but what won't change is their approach. Under Elam, Cheney has always focused on defense and pitching to keep themselves in ball games while putting the game in motion on offense by getting on base any way they can and applying pressure on their opponents pitching and defense.
“The thing you can control 100 percent of the time is pitching and defense,” Elam said. “We'll run. We'll force people to make mistakes.”
The Blackhawks got that going last Saturday at a three-team jamboree in Prosser. Cheney lost its opener to the host Mustangs 3-0, with all three runs coming in the bottom of the sixth.
Lowe started the game, going four innings and striking out seven including the side in both the second and third. Torkelson took the loss, coming on in relief in the fifth. Cheney managed just four hits in support of the duo.
In the second game the Blackhawks got a 2 for 3, 2RBI performance from Torkelson to edge Grandview 4-3. Crooks got the win with Rassier relieving him in the fifth.
The Blackhawks won't waste any time beginning defense of their league crown as they opened play Tuesday at Medical Lake, weather permitting, and then return home for a doubleheader Saturday with Pullman. It's the start of an interesting league season as teams will get to know one another pretty well by playing three games against each other, a single and a doubleheader.
Elam thinks Cheney is in good shape for its title defense, despite the loss of varsity experience from last year. The Blackhawks are extremely familiar with his style of play, and along with good senior leadership, are competitive and willing to get better.
“This team is hungry,” he added.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)