SummerHawks finish third in Federal League AA standings

Despite having a 11-5 regular season record, the Cheney SummerHawks AA American Legion baseball team did not make the district playoffs.

Toward the end of the season, Cheney was in a close race with Colville for second place in the Federal League. Colville, with a 12-3 record, ended up in the No. 2 spot while Freeman clinched first in the league.

Although Cheney failed to make it to the postseason, SummerHawks manager Kadeem Smalls was proud of his team’s progress throughout the summer.

“I knew these guys could be dangerous,” Smalls said. “We did a good job toward the end. The guys understood that some of those last-minute plays and close games can make or break a season,” Smalls said.

Smalls said he was also proud of his assistant coaches for stepping up to help mold the team. He was happy to see the support from volunteers and parents.

Cheney struggled in the beginning of the season, winning only three of their five seven games. The SummerHawks won their next five against Colville, Whitman County and North Central.

Cheney took a break from regular competition to compete in the Wood Bat Classic Tournament, July 3-5, beating Rogers, Juanita Red and Juanita Blue to finish the tournament 3-2.

In their last weekend of competition, Cheney split three consecutive doubleheaders against Freeman, Medical Lake and the Trail Orioles.

Smalls said he plans to return as the SummerHawks’ manager next season and hopes he can turn this year’s 11-4 record into 15-0 next summer.

“I hope we can get the same guys next year,” Smalls said. “As far as I know, this is a group that wants to stay together. They want to succeed not only during the school season, but also in summer ball.”

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