CHEBOYGAN — Cheboygan had to wait until May 1 to finally host a home softball doubleheader.
But while it was cold out, it was well worth the wait for the Chiefs, who swept Negaunee with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the opener and then a 16-2 rout in game two on Friday, May 1.
“The first game was a dandy,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde said. “They’ve (Negaunee) got a good team, their pitcher threw really well, but we battled right with them and pushed in a run in the sixth.”
The Chiefs manufactured their game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning, when junior Nataleigh Blaisdell ripped a double. With two outs, senior Tessa Lake hit a ball that the Negaunee right fielder couldn’t handle, allowing Blaisdell to score for a 1-0 Cheboygan lead.
In the top of the seventh, Cheboygan sophomore pitcher Lydia Kosanke finished off a sensational performance by getting one final strikeout to end the game. In seven shutout innings, Kosanke struck out 10, scattered just two hits, and walked two.
“Lydia was on her game,” LaLonde said. “She threw a great game.”
Aubrey Mastin registered the only other hit for Cheboygan in the opener.
Cheboygan’s offense was vastly improved in the nightcap, as the Chiefs scored a combined nine runs in the opening two innings, then added a seven-run third just for good measure.
Lake led the Chiefs with two hits, four RBIs and three runs scored in game two, while Diem Schley had two hits (double) and scored twice, and Jenna Dodder added two hits. Cheboygan received a hit apiece from Kosanke (double, RBI, two runs), Presley Chamberlain (three runs), Elleigh Wilson (double, two RBIs), Blaisdell (RBI, two runs), and Teagan Wheelock. Mackenzie Stockman scored two runs.
Schley was Cheboygan’s winning pitcher, striking out four and surrendering three hits in three innings.
“Two good wins. The girls played well — I’m really proud of them,” LaLonde said. “There was a lot of excitement on the field, and the girls came to play.”
Cheboygan (9-7, 5-1 Northern Shores Conference) hosts Kalkaska on Monday, May 4.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan softball sweeps Negaunee in chilly home doubleheader
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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