Hitting propels Cheboygan softball team to season-opening sweep at East Jordan

EAST JORDAN – Last spring, the Cheboygan softball team hit the cover off the ball in so many games.  

If Monday’s season opener at East Jordan was any indication, the Chiefs are going to be an offensive force once again this season.

Sparked by a relentless hitting attack, the Chiefs overpowered the Red Devils in a non-conference sweep, capturing 18-6 and 15-1 victories.  

In a 12-run win in the opener, Marley Couture led the Chiefs with three doubles and four RBI, while Emily Clark tallied three hits, two RBI and three runs scored. Adding two hits was Libby VanFleet, who doubled, knocked in a run and scored twice. Amelia Johnson doubled, had three RBI and scored twice, Emerson Eustice doubled and scored a run, Presley Chamberlain had a hit, an RBI and a run scored, and Dakota Friday added a hit and two runs scored. Cheyanne Friday chipped in with three runs scored.  

VanFleet was Cheboygan’s winning pitcher, striking out eight, allowing two hits and walking two in 3 1/3 innings of work. In 1 2/3 innings of relief, Johnson recorded a strikeout.  

During the nightcap, Eustice and Couture both finished with two hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Ella Kosanke had a hit, two RBI and two runs scored. Others recording hits were Liv Brandau (run), Chamberlain (two runs) and Johnson (run). Cheyanne Friday knocked in a run and scored once. Kacie Swiderek also scored a run.  

Eustice took the win on the mound, striking out six and allowing five hits and a run over four innings.  

“That was our first time outside for anything. I was really pleased with the way the girls swung the bat,” said Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde. “The pitching was good, the velocity on their pitches was good, and I think they only allowed two walks over two games. The girls hustled well. It was a beautiful day and great to be outside.  

“Hopefully we can keep those bats going for the rest of the season.” 

Cheboygan (2-0) heads to Petoskey for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at 4:15 p.m.  

Cheboygan baseball swept by Red Devils  

While Cheboygan softball cruised to victories on Monday, the Cheboygan baseball team dropped a pair of 4-3 and 3-0 contests at East Jordan.  

In a one-run defeat in the opener, Dylan Balazovic, Jacob Jankoviak and Luke Munger each had a hit and scored a run for the Chiefs. Eli Couture added a hit and stole a base.  

Jankoviak was the losing pitcher, striking out three, scattering three hits, allowing two runs and walking two in two innings thrown. Freshman Charlie Godfrey pitched three innings of relief, striking out three, allowing three hits and surrendering two runs.  

Sean Postula doubled to lead the Chiefs in the nightcap. Jankoviak and Balazovic chipped in with a hit apiece.  

Postula took the loss on the mound, striking out six, scattering three hits, allowing three runs and walking one over 2 1/3 innings. James Charboneau struck out one, walked two and allowed a hit in 2 2/3 innings of relief.  

“I thought the pitching did well, and it was great to be outside for the first time,” said Cheboygan coach Kevin Baller. “I felt bad because a lot of the new kids haven’t really been in varsity game situations. We had a couple errors, but I was pleased for the most part with how the boys handled themselves. We’ll need to do a better job of hitting, but it’ll come as we get more at-bats and more swings.” 

Cheboygan (0-2) heads to Petoskey for a 4:15 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.