Casa Grande was pumped up to play its baseball game with Westwood on Friday afternoon at HoHoKam Park, the spring home of the Chicago Cubs.

The Cougars did not let the excitement of the venue interfere with their play as pitching and defense ruled in a 7-0 triumph over the host Warriors in a 5A East Valley Region game.

Quinn Chavez tossed a five-hitter and struck out five as Casa Grande (11-10, 3-4 region) knocked off Westwood for the second time this season. In this day and age where hitting rules, Casa Grande coach John Batina was impressed by his junior hurler.

"This was by far his best outing," Batina said. "He's had some arm problems, but today he was very good. He had good velocity and command. Our kids were excited to play in a park like this."

Chavez walked one and struck out five. The game was tight heading to the seventh with Casa Grande holding a 3-0 lead. The Cougars broke it open with four runs in the seventh. Chavez got tougher as the game progressed as evidenced by his retiring the final 10 batters in succession. All of Westwood's hits were singles.

Casa Grande played errorless ball behind Chavez with a handful of fine plays coming from junior shortstop Danny Vicari.

Vicari made just about every play a shortstop could make in the contest. He charged a topper in the first and made a short-hop grab and throw to end the inning. In the fifth he speared a line drive headed to left for a hit by the Warriors Josh Villenueva. And back-to-back plays in the sixth -- one on a back-hand in the hole and the next a blopper he stabbed over his head diving -- kept Westwood from putting together a rally.

"I'd have to say this was maybe our best defensive effort," Batina said. "The plays (Vicari) made were impressive."

Chavez helped himself with two hits -- a triple and a double. The double drove in two runs and capped the four-run outburst in the seventh. He lost a double in the second inning when Westwood appealed that he missed first base while running. The appeal was upheld.

"They swung the bats well," Westwood coach Brian Stephenson said. "And Chavez threw outstanding. Honestly, I think Casa Grande is one of the most improved teams I've seen this year. I thought we pitched well enough to have a chance to win."

Casa Grande played the two top teams in the region earlier this week, losing to Mountain Pointe and Desert Ridge. Friday's win improved the Cougars' power-point record to 6-5, which will keep them in the top 12 or 13 for the time being as they battle for one of 5A-I's 16 state tournament berths.