Sidewinders into state quarterfinals

PHOENIX - San Luis slugged its way past Kofa in the first round of the 5A Division II state playoff tournament.

 If the Sidewinders were going to advance past Marana-Mountain View on Tuesday, they were going to have to do it with pitching and defense.

 San Luis was flawless in both phases of the game.

 Raul Vazquez pitched a complete-game shutout in a nine-inning marathon, striking out nine and allowing only four hits to help San Luis reach the state quarterfinals and the semifinals of its pool with a 1-0 victory at Papago Baseball Complex in Phoenix.

 With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Vazquez drew a walk and advanced to second on Juan Martinez's sacrifice bunt. After an intentional walk to Alvaro Palomares, Alberto Vizcarra, who was 0-for-4 previously in the game, got the game-winning RBI hit.

 "We had opportunities to score in every inning, but we couldn't get that big hit until the bottom of the ninth," San Luis coach Cesar Castillo said.

 Marana-Mountain View had missed opportunities as well. With runners on first and second and one out in the top of the ninth, San Luis middle infielders Palomares and Martinez turned an inning-ending double play.

 Catcher Joe Andrade quieted a Mountain View threat earlier in the game, throwing a runner out trying to steal. Mountain View had two on with one out at the time.

 The Sidewinders didn't commit an error in the game.