Blackhawks Baseball on a three-game skid

CHENEY- Cheney has hit a bump in the road in league competition, dropping three straight games to close out March and open the April schedule. 

The Blackhawks lost to Central Valley, 14–4 on March 29, fell to Mead 8–5 on March 31 in Cheney and then dropped a 6–1 road game at Mead on April 1. The losses drop the Blackhawks to 2–4 in the GSL standings.

"We've gotten away from playing for each other and went back to playing as individuals. Being young has something to do with that, but they have seen what happens when we play as one compared to playing as individuals," Coach Rob Beamer said. "Baseball is a selfless game built on failure, so we need to remember that and get back to work."

Mead 5

Cheney 1

The Blackhawks threatened in the top of the first with back-to-back two-out singles but left runners stranded on base with the second strikeout of the inning. 

The Panthers posted one on the board in the home half of the second and two in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to blow the game open, 5-0. 

Cheney's lone unearned run came in the top of the sixth on a throwing error by the Mead shortstop that allowed Carson Jeffries to score from third base.

Isaac Nesbitt was tagged with the loss for Cheney, going three innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out four Panthers.

Mead 8

Cheney 5

The Panthers jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and then tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth. Cheney rallied for four runs in the home half of the fifth to close the gap to 7-5. Mead posted one more on the board in the top of the sixth and the Blackhawks were unable to answer and dropped the contest.

The Panthers outhit Cheney 12 to 6 in the game. Quinn Hubbs took the loss, going four innings and allowing seven runs off 10 hits.

"Quinn didn't have his best stuff and before we knew it, we were down 7-1," coach Beamer said. "But our young men kept battling and showed heart and made it close at the end."

Central Valley 14

Cheney 4

The lopsided loss on the road on March 29 saw the Bears pound out 12 hits to the Blackhawks' four. Cheney committed six errors in the contest, which led to four unearned runs. The Blackhawks led 4-3 after three innings were in the books. Central Valley tied it in the bottom of the fourth and then erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth to run away with it. Tate Heuschkel was tagged with the loss.

"We played a solid game through five innings but were not competing on every pitch as we should've been in the sixth and gave up nine runs," coach Beamer said.

Cheney and Ferris matched up for a twin bill on the Blackhawks diamond on Wednesday, April 6, but the results of the games were not available before press time.