The CHS Varsity Baseball Team swept their first region series against the Milton Eagles, winning all three games. The first game was played on Monday, March 14, home at Beautiful Warrior Field. The second two were played Thursday, March 17, away at Milton High School.
The first game began with a successful top of the first by pitcher, Max Eichenburger. The game began very slowly with neither team taking the lead after no runs were scored in the first, second, third or fourth. Cherokee was able to hold off Milton from scoring with Max Eichenburger pitching all first five innings. Eichenburger was the winning pitcher for Cherokee. The pitcher surrendered zero runs on two of his over five innings with eight strikeouts.
Cherokee was able to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth after Hayden Grainger singled off a line drive to center field and knocked in Tyler Presnell for the first run.
Senior, Dylan Holcomb, came in as relief pitcher in the top of the sixth, striking two batters out. The top of the sixth came around with Cherokee still leading 0-1.
After a groundball by senior, Landon Luster, Lex Kenney scored after an error by Milton’s second baseman. Both Alix Morales and Jackson Bradfield scored after Max Eichenburger doubled on a fly ball to left field. After two strikeouts, the inning was ended with Cherokee leading 0-4.
Closer, Tyler Goddard, finished off the game in a shut out in the top of the seventh with two strikeouts for a Cherokee win.
[Photo Credit: Claire Green Photography]
They were intense games, but in the end we pulled together as a team and finished the series with a lot of energy and swept our first series in region.
Landon Luster, first baseman
The second game of the series, played on Thursday, was an intense, low-scoring game in which Cherokee’s bullpen pitched another shutout.
The game began with Cherokee batting. The first and only run was scored after Nate Courtwright was walked and later knocked in by Lex Kenney with a ground out.
Cherokee starter, Chase Meyer, earned the win for the game after five innings pitched with zero runs allowed on two hits and 11 strikeouts.
With Dylan Holcomb in for pitcher, Milton once again went scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
Tyler Goddard once again closed for Cherokee and earned the save for Cherokee with two strikeouts.
Our energy was there all three games, and we had some clutch hits to score some big time runs.
Nate Courtwright, shortstop
The third and final game began with Cherokee batting, but unable to produce a run in the top of the first. Junior, Tams Mullins started for the Warriors’ bullpen with one strike out in the bottom of the first, allowing one earned run. Milton led heading into the second, 1-0.
Cherokee battled back in the top of the second. The first runs for the Warriors were scored by Tyler Presnell and Max Eichenburger after Hayden Grainger singled off a line drive to center field for Cherokee to take the lead. After walks by both Aiden Smith and Nate Courtwright, the bases became loaded with Lex Kenny up to bat. With a double by Kenny, all three runners scored, furthering Cherokee’s lead to 1-5.
Mullins remained in to pitch for the bottom of the second and stuck two batters out. Milton scored once to bring the score to 2-5 heading into the third.
Cherokee furthered their lead after senior, Max Eichenburger, scored on a steal of home. Jackson Bradfield also scored after a hard line drive single by Hayden Grainger to left field. Cherokee led 2-7 after a beneficial third inning.
Relief pitcher, Liam Kirkman, was put in for Mullins to start the third inning, and with two earned runs, struck out two batters, ending the bottom of the third.
To start the fourth inning, Landon Luster scored on an error by Milton’s centerfielder, after a line drive single by Evan Holstein, furthering Cherokee’s score to 4-8.
Liam Kirkman remained pitcher for one third of the bottom of the fourth. He allowed one earned run before relief pitcher, Chase Goddard came in. Chase struck one batter out and allowed one run.
Cherokee scored once in the top of the fifth by Nate Courtwright after a fly ball by Lex Kenny.
With two strikeouts, Cherokee was able to hold off Milton in the bottom of the fifth with senior, Chase Goddard, pitching. Cherokee was also unable to score in the top of the sixth.
Chase Goddard remained pitcher in the bottom of the sixth and once again was able to hold off Milton.
The Warriors once again dominated on offense scoring three more runs in the top of the seventh with a line drive single by Landon Luster knocking in Nate Courtwright, Lex Kenny scoring after a dropped third strike, and Landon Luster scored after a wild pitch.
Sophomore and closer, Asher Sabom, was able to seal the deal in the bottom of the seventh, allowing no runs to be scored. Cherokee claimed the victory and swept the series with a final score of 6-12.
Batting:
Pitching:
Fielding and Base Running:
Our dugout was alive, and we kept the energy. We know every game counts and we’re giving it our all every game.
Chase Goddard, pitcher
The team battled hard to sweep the series against the Eagles. We are proud of our CHS Varsity Baseball Warriors for their diligent work.
The Warriors will take on Woodstock, Friday, March 25, in a double header. The first game will start at 5:00 p.m. and the second will begin at 7:30 p.m. at home at Beautiful Warrior Field. Come out and support your Warriors as they face the Wolverines!
THE WARRIOR WORD 