Cheney baseball uses 13-run inning for win over Deer Park

The Cheney Blackhawks baseball team once again had to battle back from behind to win. This time it was in Deer Park, March 25, against the Stags, who they beat, 15-8.

Deer Park jumped ahead to a five-run lead in the first inning. Cheney’s defense did not make a single out until after the Stags had scored their fifth run.

“Everything that could have gone wrong in the first inning, did,” head coach Mike Cagle said. “We just kept in there and made routine plays.”

Cheney’s defense stepped up in the second and Deer Park was unable to score any runs until the fifth. First baseman Josh Arthur threw out two runners who tried to advance from second to third. Shortstop Tanner “Bubba” Smith also had several plays in the infield. The Stags only scored three runs between the fifth and sixth. Cagle said pitcher Kyle Krieger was another key player on defense who refused to quit despite making errors in the first.

“He could have just given up (after the first), but he didn’t bat an eye and continued,” Cagle said. “That’s a life lesson right there. I’m so proud of him.”

Catcher Dominic Bonilla also made a big play after being run over by a Deer Park player who he tagged out at home.

“Dominic is a tough guy,” Cagle said. “He held onto the ball after taking a shot. He’s special behind that plate and sort of the glue for the entire defense.”

After Bonilla’s collision, Cheney’s offense stepped up, scoring 13 runs in the sixth.

Bonilla had three triples while Smith went 2-for-4 at the plate with two stolen bases. Kyle Barsness went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a bases-loaded triple. Sawyer Sims also had a bases-loaded triple .

RC Reed had three RBIs, a double and was hit by a pitch while Graham was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Blackhawks were scheduled to play East Valley in a GNL doubleheader, March 29, but it was suspended due to weather and was rescheduled for April 2. Cheney will travel to West Valley to play the Eagles in league game the next day.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].