CHENEY— The Spokane Cannons (9–3) claimed the top spot in summer league competition with a 5–1 win over the Spokane Bandits on July 5 and have secured a spot in the State Tournament on July 23 and 24.
“We get an automatic berth to because we placed first in league play,” Head Coach Austin Sharp said. “We’ll just be playing for seeding in the upcoming district tournament.”
The Cannons jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the top of the first inning. The score held up until the team posted three more runs on the board in the sixth to widen the gap to 5–0. The Bandits avoided the shutout with a run in the bottom of the frame.
Jamel Chabot led the Cannons’ offensive attack going 2-for-2 at the dish with two RBI. Caden Day had three hits in four plate appearances. Taylor Oliver was 2-for-4 against the Bandit’s pitcher.
Isaac Nessbitt had a solid outing on the bump, pitching five-and-two-thirds innings, giving up one run of five hits and fanning eights Bandits to record the win.
The district tournament starts Friday at Medical Lake High School. The Cannons enter postseason play a bit short-handed.
“Kaleb (Cain) re-injured his ankle and needs surgery and is out the rest of the way,” Sharp said. “Andrew Roberts cut his hand on a table saw and may not be back for district’s, but we’re hoping he’s back for State.”
The Cannons have a first-round bye at districts and play the winner of the Northstars–Bandits game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
“If we win on Saturday, we move on to the title game on Sunday,” Sharp said. “We win that game and we’re the No. 1 seed to State. If we lose on Saturday, we drop down into the losers bracket and can finish no higher than the third seed. No matter what happens, we still move on to State.”
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