Blackhawks' baseball captures District 7 title

The Cheney Blackhawks baseball team will compete in the 2A state tournament for the third time in four years. However, this year they will be doing so with the moniker of District 7 champions.

The Blackhawks defeated Pullman, 8-3 and West Valley, 5-1 on May 9 to capture the District 7 title. Four days later, they defeated Central Washington Athletic Conference's Othello, 2-1 in a regional crossover game to advance to the first round of the state tournament.

Head coach Glenn Chamberlain admitted that his team struggled during the regular season - the Blackhawks were 4-8 in Great Northern League play and the No. 5 seed heading into districts. However, things turned around for Cheney after they swept Pullman in an April 28 doubleheader (5-4, 8-2).

"Everything has clicked for the players after Pullman," he said. "They've just kept working."

Tied 3-3 against Pullman, Cheney scored five runs to take the lead in the sixth inning, including Cade VanWormer's three-RBI double.

Jacob Lauber and Luke Martin led the team with two hits each. Matt Riggs got the win after he took over for Julian Chabot in the sixth.

In the district title game, Cheney took a 4-0 lead in the second inning and added one insurance run in the fifth. Of the Blackhawks' 12 hit attack, VanWormer, Martin, Peyton MacPherson, Nick Berman collected two hits each. Devin Cook got the win after he threw a complete game.

During the Othello game, the Blackhawks were down 1-0 in the sixth inning when Cook hit a double to bring in Koby Holt to tie the game. Jack Peabody hit a single to bring in Cook for the go-ahead run.

"I love how the team stays with it," Chamberlain said. "They were down 1-0 but they kept playing."

Arthur got the win a two-hitter until Chabot came in the seventh inning to get the final out.

"Dylan came out and has been lights out for us," Chamberlain said. "He's been really focusing on pitching."

Cheney will open the state tournament May 20 in Ephrata against Olympic, out of Bremerton, in a loser-out game. If the Blackhawks win, they will play the Ellensburg/Selah winner later that day. Another victory for Cheney advances them to the semifinals on May 26 at County Stadium in Yakima.

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