After a rough start to the inaugural Pepsi Diamondjaxx Summer Kick-off Tournament, the Hermiston Spuds finished the weekend with back-to-back wins.

The Spuds concluded the tournament with a 2-3 record  and a fourthplace finish.

After picking up wins against Spokane and Baker City on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, head coach Doug Taylor said his young group needs to continue to adjust to the speed of the game.

We picked it up and ended on a high note, Taylor said. (We) saw some good things (and) still need to work on some stuff. Theres a lot of potential with this group. (We need) to work on confidence and confidence (with) pitching.

In the fourth game of the weekend against Spokane, Wash., Spokane posted three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 6-5 lead, as Hermiston sent the bottom of the order up to bat.

Tyler Sexton led off the inning with a single, Mario Dovalina followed him with a bunt single and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Pedro Rodriguez executed a suicide squeeze, on which he reached first, to tie the game

After the No. 9 hitter was retired Chase Root entered the batters box and came up with a double to score Dovalina and secure the Hermiston victory.

Root, a sophomore, was 0-for-3 coming into the at-bat, but he responded in a big way, Taylor said.

That was pretty clutch, Taylor said. Hes a good ballplayer. For him to come up there and know the game was on the line (it) gives us a lot of confidence in those younger guys. Its pretty neat to see.

Sean Smith threw five innings for the Spuds in the game, allowing a run in each of the first three innings. The Spuds pounded 14 hits in the game, as Nychal Gritz went 4-for-4 with a double.

In the final game of the weekend, Sunday, Hermiston avenged an earlier loss to Baker City with a 12-1 win.

Michael Gossler had his second consecutive strong start, Taylor said, and the Hermiston bats came alive to help their pitcher.

It really sets the tone when you go out there and shut down their offense and not walk guys, Taylor said. The game is a lot quicker, and the tempo is there. Our offense is in a rhythm, and its a much more enjoyable game when strikes are thrown.

Gossler went four innings, surrendering one run on five hits. The Spuds pounded 13 hits, as four of the top five hitters in the order had multi-hit games.

Root finished the game 3-for-4, with three runs and an RBI. Hayden Edmiston, in the No. 2 spot, went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice bunt. Taylor credited Edmiston, a sophomore, for his contributions throughout the weekend.

The start of the tourney was not as favorable for the Spuds, however. They opened with a 12-2 loss to LaGrande on Friday, where Hermiston walked nine hitters.

LaGrande finished the game with only 10 hits and was able to take advantage of the free passes to get the win in five innings.

Taylor said the defense played solidly, but throwing strikes has to be a priority.

Just trying to work with guys throw strikes and make them beat you, Taylor said. Were working on it, but we got a lot of young arms and a lot of it is mental toughness, bearing down and not worrying about if they hit you. You cant defend walks.

The second game was much of the same for the Spuds as they fell 6-5 to Baker City on Friday. Baker City finished with only three hits in the game, as Hermiston walked seven batters and hit five others.

Sexton started the game for the Spuds and hit four batters in the first inning. Taylor said Sexton has potential, but he must be more confident on the mound.

In the third game on Saturday, the Spuds flipped the script and drew 10 walks. It was not enough however, as Vancouver, Wash. jumped out to a 8-0 lead, before the Spuds managed a hit. Vancouver won 9-8.

Taylor said Vancouvers starting pitcher was tough and kept Hermiston at bay until the fifth inning when the Spuds offense erupted for eight runs.

We starting hitting, just strung them together, really, and took advantage of their walks, Taylor said. (It) kept us in the game, and being down that much we didnt pack it in, which was nice to see.

The Spuds are now 3-4 on the season, and will host Redmond in a doubleheader starting at 8 a.m. today at Armand Larive Middle School.