Cheney Baseball Coach Modest About Trip To State
Randy Elam had trouble taking any credit for Cheney’s first trip to the State AA baseball tournament.
“It’s hard for me,” he said following the Blackhawks’ 7-4 Region IV title win over Eastmont.
“Terry (Regnier) built this program. I just took the baton.”
In his third year at Cheney and first full season as head coach, Elam took over for Regnier, who was replaced after coaching 12 playoff teams in 15 years.
It was a team of three- and four-year veteran players who stormed to a 10-0 Frontier League start that wrapped up the school’s second straight championship early.
Following a late slump in which the Blackhawks lost five of nine games, they righted the ship at regionals.
That’s all history. On Friday, 10 a.m. at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Cheney plays Capital of Olympia in the opening round of the AA finals.
With a duplication of last Saturday’s playing, said Elam, who coached a state championship team in Centralia, the Blackhawks will do fine.
“They realize this could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and they’re going to give it their best shot,” he said.
The trip will mark a second straight appearance in Tacoma for Cheney pitching ace Tucker Urdahl and center fielder Pat Stiffler.
In March they were part of the basketball team that finished second in the State AA tournament in Tacoma. Urdahl, who has compiled a three-year 27-8 record, shut down Selah 8-1 on four hits, striking out 11.
“I thought I threw pretty well,” he said. “My teammates got runs for me, and that helped.”
In so doing, they beat Mid-Valley co-MVP Eric Hull, who had compiled an 8-0 season record.
Stiffler’s defense in the championship game, including a diving catch while racing toward the center-field fence, helped pitcher Matt Caston retire 15 straight.
“Pat was huge,” said Elam. “Look at the final score (7-4 over Eastmont). The game could have been totally different.”
But it wasn’t. And a team that hadn’t won in regionals before is now playing for a possible state title.
“I can’t even believe it,” said Caston. Then, on his way back to join his teammates, he added with a grin, “We’re taking it all.”
Saxons, Tigers go to state
At the Eastern regional AAA track meet last Saturday, Ferris’ Jonathon Parker qualified in the 100 and 200 meters and will be heading to state. Parker finished second in the 100 with a time of 11.14 and third in the 200, finishing in 22.13 seconds.
Other placers include Isaac Hawkins, who surprised no one by winning the 1,600 meter run in 4:13.9 seconds. Tyrone Asterino qualified in both the 110 high hurdles and the 300 low hurdles. In the 110 high hurdles, Asterino finished in 14.76 seconds. He finished third in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.60.
On the girls side, the Saxons’ Missy Blackshire took first place at 800 meters in 2:14.85 seconds. Jennifer Smith of Ferris also qualified for state by winning the 1,600 meter in 4:58.21.
Lewis and Clark’s 1600 relay team qualified for state in Tacoma. Team members are Jamie Rosenquist, Keri Nichols, Gina Auffant and anchor Teresa Brooks.
Cardinals win tennis districts
Josh Greene of Medical Lake continued his domination in singles competition by winning the District 7-A tennis tournament Saturday and will be gunning for the state title. Greene defeated Dave Dillingham of Lakeside 6-2, 6-0.
Josh Mastel and Jeff Racicot qualified for state by winning the boys doubles titles 6-1, 6-4. , DataTimes