The Cashmere Bulldogs baseball team made the trip to Mattawa on Tuesday afternoon and came away with a dominant doubleheader sweep over Wahluke in SCAC play.
Cashmere wasted no time asserting control in the opener, rolling to a 13-0 victory in five innings. The Bulldogs’ offense was relentless, out-hitting the Warriors 16-1 in the lopsided win.
Sophomore right-hander Mac Carlson was outstanding on the mound, tossing a complete-game one-hit shutout. Carlson struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk in a commanding performance.
At the plate, several Bulldogs turned in big games. Junior Jacoby Yousey went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, while senior Tom McDevitt also finished 3-for-4, adding a triple, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Carlson helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Rylan Hatmaker and Ethan Bessonette each contributed a triple, with Hatmaker driving in a run and scoring twice, and Bessonette adding a run scored. Jacoby Tait reached base in all three plate appearances, finishing 1-for-1 with an RBI. Jake Peterson doubled and drove in a run, while Jackson Mitchell and Cooper Green each added hits.
In game two, the Bulldogs continued their strong play, earning a 12-1 victory in six innings.
Bessonette picked up the win on the mound, going 5.2 innings without allowing an earned run. He scattered four hits, struck out eight, and walked one. Junior Keller Erdmann came on in relief and needed just one pitch to record the final out.
Tait led the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 performance, driving in two runs, stealing two bases, and scoring three times. Senior Levi Strutzel went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Bessonette added a double, three stolen bases, and two RBIs. Peterson scored twice, and Yousey chipped in with a double.
With the sweep, Cashmere improves to 18-1 overall and 13-1 in SCAC play. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 2 in the latest Varsity WA 1A state poll and remain tied with Zillah for first place in the conference standings, with both teams holding identical 13-1 league records.
Cashmere will close out the regular season on Friday at home against Kiona-Benton, with first pitch of the doubleheader set for 3:00 p.m. The Bulldogs will honor their seniors prior to game two.
