Valdez leads Spuds into third round of state

SPOKANE — It’s been an exemplary state tournament for Austin Valdez so far.

On the mound, Valdez pitched a complete game in the tournament opener and Central Washington beat Mt. Spokane 3-1.

Valdez delivered from the plate in the next round. Locked in a 1-1 tie with the Skagit Sox, Valdez ripped a RBI double that scored Brandon Swett in the eighth inning and the Spuds held on to win 2-1.

Central Washington avenged a loss during the regular season to Mt. Spokane on Saturday.

Mt. Spokane led 1-0 after four innings before Central Washington pulled ahead for good in the fifth inning.

Valdez led the inning off with a single and eventually scored when Bailey Sanchez grounded into a fielder’s choice. Zach Valdez reached base on an error and also scored on an error to break the tie.

Zach Valdez added an insurance run with a RBI single in the eighth inning, scoring Ezekyel Ochoa.

Austin Valdez scattered seven hits in nine innings of work.

Central Washington took an early lead against the Skagit Sox when Swett hit a RBI single that scored Cody Goodwin in the first inning.

The Spuds’ 1-0 lead stood up for six innings until the Skagit Sox tied the game with a run in the top of the eighth inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Swett and Austin Valdez hit consecutive doubles for the go-ahead score.

Cade Tunstall pitched a complete game with four strikeouts.

The Spuds will play either Bellingham Post 7 or, for the fifth time this season, the Yakima Pepsi-Pak today at 6 p.m.

—Staff report

Central Washington vs. Mt. Spokane

MTSP — 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

CNTR — 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 3

Highlights: Austin Valdez 9 IP, 4 K; Zach Valdez 2x4, 1 RBI, 1 R

Central Washington vs. Skagit Sox

SKGT — 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

CNTR — 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

Highlights: Swett 2x3, 1 RBI; Austin Valdez 1 RBI