The Mead Panthers will venture away from home to challenge the Cheney Blackhawks at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Mead comes in still looking for their first win of the season.
Things were looking good for Mead after they put the first runs on the board on Monday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They lost 11-2 to University.
Mead saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Lucius Spielman, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2. That stolen base was Spielman's first of the season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Cheney). Everything went their way against Lewis & Clark on Tuesday as they made off with a 12-1 win. The Blackhawks not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since March 12, 2024.
Jace Vega was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Cheney is undefeated when he allows at most one walk, but 2-5 otherwise. Vega was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 2-for-4. What's more, he posted two RBI, the most he's had since back in May of 2024.
In other pitching news, Carter Owens looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Cheney is 2-1 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 3-4 otherwise.
Back at the plate, Marcus Belarde was incredible, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 2-for-4. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Dawes Hanson was another key player, scoring three runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Cheney always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Mead's loss dropped their record down to 0-10. As for Cheney, the victory got them back to even at 5-5.
Mead came out on top in a nail-biter against Cheney when the teams last played back in March of 2024, sneaking past 4-3. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
