Gomes’ blast guides NC to win

Andrew Gomes’ three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning Saturday launched North Central toward a 7-3 win over Rogers in a Greater Spokane League baseball playoff at Gonzaga Prep.

Ben Krupla pitched four innings to earn the win, helping NC (4-17) advance to the 3A regional playoffs.

Matt Durant of the Pirates (3-18) hit a leadoff homer in the first inning.

The Indians play at Shadle Park at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The winner will move on to play Hanford on Friday.

In the other opening-round regional game, the GSL’s East Valley will play at West Valley (Yakima). The winner will advance to play Mt. Spokane.

Boys soccer

Vince Vertullo scored on an assist from James Biddle in the 74th minute to force overtime and Mt. Spokane (2-12) hit all four of its shots in the shootout to outlast North Central (7-8-1) 2-1 in 3A regional play at Albi Stadium.

The Wildcats advance to play at West Valley (Yakima) at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will advance to state.

In other regional action, Isaac Meza snapped a scoreless tie in the 54th minute, corralling the miss off a free kick, and Sunnyside went on to shut out Shadle Park (3-12) 2-0 in Sunnyside.

•After falling behind 1-0 in the ninth minute, Manson rallied to score four consecutive goals, beating host Lakeside (3-13) 4-1 in their 1A regional match in Nine Mile Falls. Chris Cochrane scored the Eagles’ lone goal, putting away a miss from his brother Alex Cochrane.

The loss put an end to the Eagles’ season.

Softball

Morgan and Magan Cummings had three hits apiece, and Morgan added two runs and two RBIs, and St. Maries handled host Priest River 11-5 to sweep and Intermountain League doubleheader. The Lumberjacks won the opener 15-13.

Morgan Cummings finished the day with five hits, including two doubles and a triple, as the Lumberjacks earned the No. 2 seed in the 3A District I-II tournament Friday at Timberlake High in Spirit Lake.