Summerhawks run win streak to four

After struggling in the beginning of their season, the Cheney Summerhawks 15U baseball team is on a hot streak. After losses against Northwest Premier, 6-3, July 14, and the Hurricanes, 10-7, July 15, Cheney swept the Red Storm in a two-day, three-game series, 14-0, July 16, and 11-1, 12-0, July 19, and notched a victory over the Joes, 9-1 on Monday.

Cheney kept it a one-run ballgame until the fifth ining when Premier scored twice to ice the game. At the plate, Jacob Lauber was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Garret Hagel was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Julian Chabot was 1 for 3 with an RBI.

The Summerhawks mounted some offense late in their game against the Hurricanes. Hagel was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs. Luke Martin was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Cheney got their bats in full swing against the Red Storm July 16, scoring 14 runs off 13 hits. The Summerhawks led early and throughout to force the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth inning. Martin was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run. Mason Beck was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs.

Head coach Nick Fell said the team has focused on hitting in the last few weeks, specifically learning how to adjust to what the pitcher was throwing and not getting behind on pitching counts.

"I think all of those extra hours spent in the cages and the little things are starting to pay off for them," Fell said.

Cheney carried their momentum into Saturday's doubleheader, again forcing the mercy rule in the fifth innings of both games. Fell cited strong offense, as well as good defense and pitching that kept the Summerhawks in both games.

Martin was 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, three RBIs and three runs. Maike Goodloe went 3 for 6 with a double and four runs for the day. Jonathon Owings was 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs. Dylan Arthur was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and one run.

Against the Joes, Cheney jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the second inning and carried their momentum for the rest of the game. Fell said his defense backed up Arthur on the mound and kept the Joes to one run. Individual statistics were not available as of press time.

"I could feel a difference in their playing," Fell said. "We are finally there. This week was definitely a morale boost. You can tell they are playing much more loose and having more fun."

On the mound, Owings (1-0) picked up a win in game two of the doubleheader against the Red Storm. Garrett Hagel (1-0) earned his first win, throwing a no hitter with seven strikeouts.

Dylan Arthur (2-0) picked up wins in game one of the doubleheader, where he threw a no-hitter, and against the Joes.

Cheney is 5-9 and still sits in the fourth place in the Spokane Indians Youth Baseball League 15U standings. They played their final regular game of the season against Northwest Premier, July 22. They'll finish the season in the league tournament this weekend.

"I think we're as good as anyone we've played," Fell said. "We're going to be a dangerous team going into this weekend."

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