For the first time in six years, the Cheney High School softball team will be spending the first part of Memorial Day weekend doing what they’ve spent the last two-plus months doing — playing softball.
The Lady Blackhawks blanked East Valley 10-0 for the second game in a row, but the one on Tuesday, May 15, was the one that counted most as it sent Cheney to its first 2A state tournament appearance since 2012.
The Lady Blackhawks got all they needed Tuesday in the bottom of the second inning against the visiting third-seeded Knights — the surprise 9-5 winners over No. 2 seed West Valley in the earlier semifinal game at Cheney’s field. Senior Megan Krantz drew a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on sister Logan’s groundout.
The Lady Blackhawks weren’t done as they got an RBI double to right field by Lindsay Hagreen and a two RBI single from Maria Guglielmo for a 4-0 lead for starting pitcher Maddie Kallsen, who threw a five-inning no-hitter for the win.
Cheney finished the regular season with an identical 10-0 at home against the Knights. Kallsen got the win, striking out nine and allowing just four hits.
The Lady Blackhawks offense also struck early for the senior hurler, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Cheney had nine hits, three by Shelby Melton and two by Megan Krantz, and capitalized on three Knights errors.
The Lady Blackhawks go to 19-1 overall, and await the draw to find out who their first-round opponent will be on May 25 at Carlon Park in Selah.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)