Photos by Phoebe Becker – Cody Wheeler in action for the South Fork Cubs at Lower Lake on Wednesday.

With an extra doubleheader on the schedule this week after last week’s postponements, South Fork head Chris Contreras almost canceled his team’s non-league baseball game at Lower Lake on Wednesday.

He’s glad he didn’t, and so too is freshman pitcher Cody Wheeler.

The Cubs had five games scheduled for this week, including a key doubleheader against Hoopa on Friday, and their pitching was put to the test. 

But fortunately for them, Wheeler stepped up to carry some of that load at Lower Lake and impressed on the way to his first high school victory as the Cubs won 12-5.

The freshman threw six innings for the victory and allowed just three earned runs on three hits and five walks, while striking out seven.

Remarkably he had a no-hitter going into the fifth.

“I’m very excited for the kid,” Contreras said. “I knew that he’s been chomping at the bit trying to get his chance on the mound.

“I couldn’t be more excited for him and thrilled that he did a good job.”

For good measure, the young Wheeler also got his first varsity hit to help his own cause and cap an impressive all-around day and he finished 1-for-2 and scored a run.

Trevor Hunt also had a big day at the plate as he continues his recent good form.

Hunt finished 3-for-4 and scored two runs.

“Trevor Hunt has been hitting the ball really well lately,” Contreras said of the junior standout who also had a home run in a doubleheader against Ferndale on Monday. “He seems to be seeing the ball really well.”

Photos by Phoebe Becker – Trevor Hunt in action for the Cubs at Lower Lake.

Luke Genolio also had a good day at the plate and went 2-for-5 with two doubles and also scored two runs, while Broc Contreras was 1-for-2 with a double and three walks and had four stolen bases on his way to scoring three runs.

Travis “T-Bone” Way closed out the game on the mound and had two strikeouts in one inning.

The Cubs, who improved to 5-6 overall, will now turn their attention back to the Little 4 and a doubleheader at Hoopa on Friday.

Both teams are 0-4 in conference.

“It’s going to be a dog fight on Friday,” Chris Contreras said. “I know they’re going to come after us.

“I think we’re going to be ready and I think it’s going to be a really good doubleheader.”

Photos by Phoebe Becker – Broc Contreras had four stolen bases in Wednesday’s win.