Spuds score five runs in the seventh to beat Spokane

BOISE, Idaho — What goes around comes around and the Central Washington Spuds were able to turn the table to win their first game of the AAA American Legion tournament in Boise, Idaho on Thursday with a 5-4 win over the Spokane Bandits.

In their tournament opener, Rocky Mountain’s Daniel Juarez singled on the first pitch of his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth to drive in the winning run. But in the second game of the day, Central Washington scored all five of its runs in the top half of the seventh to beat Spokane.

Wade Visker and Michael Chase brought the pop against the Bandits. Visker (2-for-4 with two RBIs) had a triple and Chase doubled and drove in a run when the Spuds were making their move in the final inning.

Kameron Huberdeau (2-3), Kam Kuykendall (2-3) and Travis Robertson (1-1) stepped up in the Spuds offense, which scored five runs on eight hits.

Kaeden Vasquez and Wade Visker combined for victory, though Visker was credited with the win. Vasquez went 3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking one. Visker came in and cleaned up, pitching 3 innings without giving up a hit or allowing a run.

Spokane took a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning, but Central Washington came back to win its first game of the tournament.

Rocky Mountain 4, Spuds 3

The Spuds scored just three runs on five hits, but had a chance to win before giving up the winning run in extra innings in the tournament opener.

Vasquez went 2-for-4 and Kuykendall scored twice for the Spuds, who struckout seven times in the game.

Ezekyel Ochoa pitched into the fifth inning, striking out three and walking four, while scattering four hits for the Spuds, who face Meridian, Idaho on Friday.

WEST COAST LEAGUE

Bend 5, AppleSox 0

Bend right-hander Mike Hooper pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two AppleSox (8-12) hits and the Elks rebounded from Wednesday’s loss to shutout Wenatchee in nine innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium and claim the series.

Hooper struck out five and Bradley Gonzales struck out five in two innings of relief for the Elks (7-17). AppleSox designated hitter Cory Meyer, who had two grand slams the night before, went 2-for-2 on Thursday, but that was about it in terms of offense.

Gonzaga right-hander Mike Spellacy got the start for the AppleSox, striking out two, walking two and giving up two hits in five innings of work. Hunter Boyd of Moses Lake gave up four runs on two hits in one inning of relief.

Wenatchee hosts Yakima Valley on July 2.