Central Valley wins district baseball opener at Avista Stadium

Central Valley’s Connor Grytdal pitched a complete game Thursday after his hitters gave him an early lead and the Bears took down Mead 7-2 at Avista Stadium.

With the win, the Bears (16-3) advance to the District 8 Championship game on Friday. They play the winner of Gonzaga Prep and Lewis and Clark, who were playing the late game Thursday.

The Panthers (8-12) will play the loser as three of the four 4A teams advance to next week’s subregional.

The Bears rallied for four runs in the first inning on two outs off Mead pitcher Chris Soth. It was all the runs the Bears would need.

“It makes it easier for the guy on the mound when you score four runs in the first inning,” Central Valley coach Mike Amend said. Grytdal “did a nice job.”

Mead coach Ryne Webb agreed, noting that Soth had two outs and two strikes on the Bears’ Jeremy Yelland before his single started the 4-run scoring spree.

“Their pitcher got to settle in there after he had runs to play with,” Webb said. “Then he had the chance to attack the strike zone.”

Grytdal gave up five hits and struck out five in seven innings of work.

“It was great” to pitch behind the early lead, he said. “I want to win, but it’s a good feeling knowing that we don’t have to worry about winning (Friday).”