The Methow Valley 12U Cubs wrapped up their summer baseball season with a third-place finish at the Deer Park tournament, finishing the weekend with a 4-2 record. Their run included victories over Lakeland (Idaho), Okanogan, and Colville, while narrowly dropping two one-run games to Brewster-based Farmers, who ultimately captured the tournament title.
The team’s schedule was marked by several highlight performances. They defeated Lakeland twice, first by a 4-3 score and later in a dramatic 12-11 walk-off win that saw Benji Horner shut down the opposition with three scoreless innings. Solo home runs from Asher McAuliffe and Talon Lovette, followed by a two-run single from Cody Slater, sealed that comeback.
Another key win came against Okanogan, where the Cubs erupted for a 16-5 victory, and they also posted an 18-1 triumph over Colville. Across 12 total innings, the team surrendered just five runs, underscoring the effectiveness of their pitching staff.
Coach’s Praise
Coach Chad Patterson lauded the squad’s overall performance, describing the season as "extremely fun" and emphasizing the team’s resilience and pitching prowess. He noted that a few better outcomes against Brewster could have turned the close losses into additional wins.
The Cubs also captured championships in two summer tournaments — Colville and Chewelah — after early-season setbacks. Overall, the team finished the year with 24 wins, six losses, and one tie, leaving a strong impression of depth and competitive spirit.