Blackhawks' baseball still undefeated

The Cheney Blackhawks got some timely hitting early in and solid pitching to finish last week still undefeated in Greater Spokane League baseball play.

Cheney won a pair of GSL contests over Mead, 7-5 on the road March 21 and 8-5 March 23 at home. The Blackhawks then routed Lewis and Clark 12-1 at Hart Field March 24 in a game shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule.

With Tyler Ashcroft going 2 for 3 with a pair of runs-batted-in, Cheney scored six runs at their first at bat. Jamel Chabot had the Blackhawks’ only other hit.

Quinn Hubbs got the win with three innings of work as the starter, but Eli Chabot closed things out with five innings of relief where he gave up just one hit and struck out eight.

“We have gotten stellar pitching great defense and the men are having great at bats this year,” head coach Rob Beamer wrote in a text message.

Hubbs became the force on offense in the second game with the Panthers has he had a pair of hits, including a double and an RBI. Jamel Chabbot and Carter McPherson also stroked doubles for Cheney which scored twice in the fifth for the deciding runs.

Tate Heuschkel threw four no hit innings against Mead in game two and picked up the win with Carsen Jeffries earning the save.

Hubbs was a two-way factor in the Lewis and Clark game, pitching a seven-inning complete game, allowing just three hits as well as having a pair of hits, including a double. McPherson also had a multi-hit game.

“This team is special, and it is different guys stepping up each night,” Beamer said.

Cheney scored four runs in its first at-bat, had an 8-1 lead through four innings and ended things with a four-run fifth.

Cheney is 5-0 overall and ranked No. 4 in state 3A rankings. The Blackhawks faced Lewis and Clark March 28 and play Gonzaga Prep at Cheney, March 30 and are at Prep March 31, both games at 4 p.m.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at pauldelaney53@comcast.net.