The Cashmere Bulldogs baseball team left no doubt about their postseason readiness on Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against the Kiona-Benton Bears in emphatic fashion. Cashmere rolled to 17-0 and 18-0 victories, both ending after five innings due to the mercy rule, to close out the regular season on a high note.

With the two wins, the Bulldogs secured a share of the 2026 SCAC regular season championship alongside the Zillah Leopards. Both teams finished league play with identical 15-1 records. Cashmere enters the postseason with an impressive 20-1 overall mark, while Zillah stands at 16-4.

Now, the Bulldogs turn their attention to the District 5 Baseball Tournament. Seeding for the eight qualifying teams will be announced Monday morning, with first-round games scheduled for Thursday, May 7.

Game 1: Cashmere 17, Kiona-Benton 0 (5 innings)
Cashmere wasted no time asserting control in the opener, cruising to a 17-run shutout behind a dominant performance on the mound from sophomore Mac Carlson. Carlson was in command from the first pitch, scattering three hits while striking out 11 and walking just two in a complete-game effort.

The Bulldogs’ offense backed him up with a relentless attack. Senior Rylan Hatmaker led the way, going 2-for-2 with four RBI. Carlson helped his own cause at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.

Ethan Bessonette added a hit and drove in two runs, while Jacoby Yousey delivered a triple, two RBI, and scored three times. Jake Peterson chipped in two RBI, and Jackson Mitchell added a hit, an RBI, and two runs scored. Brock Shoults also contributed with a base hit and crossed the plate once as Cashmere piled up runs throughout the game.

Game 2: Cashmere 18, Kiona-Benton 0 (5 innings)
The Bulldogs carried their momentum into game two, where another dominant pitching performance set the tone. McDevitt was nearly untouchable, allowing just one hit over 4.2 innings while striking out 11 without issuing a walk. Senior Jake Peterson came on in relief to record the final out, striking out the last batter.

Offensively, Cashmere continued to swing hot bats. Jacoby Yousey had a huge game, going 3-for-3 with two triples and four RBI. Hatmaker stayed productive with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and four RBI. McDevitt contributed at the plate as well, going 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI.

Peterson added two hits and scored twice, while Mac Carlson, Jacoby Tait, Thomas Bergren, Levi Strutzel, and Cooper Green each recorded base hits to round out another explosive offensive showing.

With back-to-back dominant wins and a league title in hand, the Bulldogs head into the postseason brimming with confidence and momentum, eager to see where their path begins in the district tournament.