Cheney sweeps North Central, loses to Prairie

The Cheney 17U Summerhawks baseball team swept North Central in a July 7 doubleheader, 7-2, 15-3. Two days later they were swept in a doubleheader against the Prairie Cardinals, a 19U team out of Rathdrum, Idaho, 4-0, 11-5.

In game one against North Central, Cheney took a 2-0 lead after the first inning and added three runs in the third. They finished their scoring with two runs in the sixth.

At the plate, Andrew Witt was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, Dylan Arthur was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs and Devin Cook was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

"We did a great job of jumping on fastballs," head coach Austin Sharp said. "Witt and Cook had a really good day. All in all, the team hit the ball well."

Nick Berman (2-0) got the win on the mound after he pitched for four innings, gave up four hits and two runs, and struck out two batters. Johnny Owings came in the fifth and gave up no hits and struck out two.

"Owings has been so effective for us (on the mound) this season," Sharp said. "The pitchers have been doing a good job of keeping the ball down and hitting their sweet spots."

Cheney continued their momentum into the nightcap, having a 12-2 lead after the third inning.

In the Summerhawks' 10-hit attack, Riggs was 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Cook was 2 for 2 with an RBI and three runs scored while Arthur was 1 for 3 with an RBI and one run scored. Luke Martin was 1 for 4 with four runs scored.

Julian Chabot (1-0) recorded his first pitching win after he threw a complete game, giving up five hits and striking out five.

In game one against Prairie, the Cardinals' pitching and defense held the Summerhawks to just four hits. Riggs was 1 for 3 with a double. Witt, Cook and Berman had one hit each.

"We just have to be more aggressive on early ball counts," Sharp said. "This is an older team and my guys faced a mix of speeds. It was a good experience for them."

Arthur (1-3) took the loss on the mound after he shared pitching duties with Riggs.

"Arthur struggled to hit that sweet spot at first," Sharp said. "He found it later and kept us in the game."

In the nightcap, Cheney scored four runs to take the lead in the first inning. Down 4-3, the Cardinals posted three runs in the third to take the lead, then added one run in the fourth and three more in the sixth.

Arthur and Riggs were both 1 for 4 with a double apiece. Jake Berman, Riggs, Cook and Martin added hits.

"We struggled to hit, that's all I can really say (about game two)," Sharp said.

Lauber (1-2) took the loss on the mound.

Cheney (9-11) was scheduled to play the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen in a July 13 doubleheader, but Sharp said both games were canceled for unknown reasons. The Summerhawks travel to Pullman to play their AA American Legion team in a doubleheader, tonight (July 14).

"It's been good baseball this season, this team has learned a lot," Sharp said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].