By Don Ketchum

The Wolves Classic Baseball Tournament in the Goodyear-Buckeye area is said by some to be a barometer for the upcoming Division III state tournament.

If that is the case, then Chino Valley looks to be in the thick of the race.

Chino Valley got solid pitching and a game-ending catch in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve a 4-3 victory over Winslow in a first-round Wolves Classic game on Thursday night (April 5) at Goodyear Desert Edge High.

The tournament continues Friday (April 6) at Desert Edge, Goodyear Estrella Foothills, Buckeye and Buckeye Verrado. Chino Valley and Winslow will play two games at Desert Edge, against El Mirage Dysart and Show Low.

The tournament championship will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the nearby Goodyear Ballpark, spring home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians.

Chino Valley (14-2), which was fifth in Division III power points entering this week, took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, combining four hits with a Winslow error.

Winslow (12-4, sixth in power points, pulled to within 3-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth, but Chino Valley got another run in the top of the seventh. Winslow scored again in the seventh, and looked like it might have won it when a line drive by Chris Garrett appeared to be headed toward the gap in left-center.

Chino Valley center fielder Jordan Cuka sprinted over and made a lunging catch to end the game. Everyone held their breath for the umpire to make the official signal.

Right-handers Josh Custudio and Robert Bell combined for the victory. Custudio kept Winslow off-balance for most of the night with his curveball, and Bell, a freshman revved up the velocity a bit for a change of pace.

“Josh had good command of his breaking pitches, although he did give up some walks,’’ said Chino Valley coach Bruce Nesbitt. “R.J. (Bell) stayed around the strike zone.’’

Winslow left-hander Caleb Layden had the three-run hiccup in the second inning, but pitched well after that, holding Chino Valley hitless for three innings until the sixth. He gave up a pair of walks to begin the seventh and the first man scored, proving to be the difference. Layden finished with eight strikeouts.

Chino Valley won the Class 3A crown under Nesbitt in 2010 and then he took 2011 off to deal with some family health issues. Chino Valley fell to River Valley in the 2011 3A quarterfinals. Now Nesbitt is back and the Cougars are playing well.

“We have some seniors and younger players in the mix,’’ Nesbitt said. “It’s nice to win, but we still have a lot of improving to do.’’