Rogers throws curve at G-Prep

Give away enough extra outs in baseball and it prolongs innings. In Gonzaga Prep’s case it prolonged the regular Greater Spokane League season.

Misplayed balls cost the Bullpups’ (8-10) a 2-1 loss to Rogers’ “Kiddie Corps”, dropping them into a tie for sixth place and Saturday playoff game against Central Valley for the final District 8 4A tourney berth.

Other than that, the GSL 4A and 3A playoff field has been set.

Ferris (16-2) won its first league title since 1999 and University (15-3) finished second. Both earn first-round byes.

Lewis and Clark (9-9) swept a doubleheader against Clarkston (7-11) to secure the fifth district berth. Mead (12-6) and Mt. Spokane (12-6) are also in district.

Clarkston was knocked from the 3A postseason and East Valley (8-10) is in. West Valley (13-5) is top GSL seed to the 3A regionals. North Central (10-8) No. 2 and EV No. 3.

The curveball came calling at Rogers (6-12), which made matters worse for Gonzaga Prep.

“When their guy is throwing breaking balls for strikes consistently,” said Bullpups coach Greg Gores, “and you give away outs, it’s just a killer.”

Ahead 1-0, Prep misplayed a fly ball into a double in the third inning and senior Kyle Trotchie singled to tie.

In the fourth, miscommunication between the Bullpups second baseman and right fielder allowed one ball to drop, and the same thing happened on a foul fly between third and home.

Given a reprieve, freshman Jacob Partridge doubled in the winning run.

Pitcher Scotty Livengood did the rest with his baffling curve.

“Livengood had (it) going,” said Rogers coach Jim Wasem, “and threw his fastball by them when they were guessing curves.”

Andy Greenslitt struck out 11 and Scott Ward was 3 for 3 with two RBIs to spark Ferris’ 9-1 win over visiting NC. … Aaron LaPlante’s 3-run fifth-inning home run broke open the game as U-Hi beat visiting Mead 9-3. … Ben Seebeck, who fanned 11, and Eric Barge, who weathered a five-run fourth inning, pitched LC past the visiting Bantams, 6-3 and 8-6. … Pitcher Gerry Kelley singled home Brady Brunelle in the sixth inning of EV’s 3-2 home victory against Shadle Park (1-17). …Three hit batters and WV’s Bryan Peterson’s bouncer over the fence in the seventh beat visiting Mt. Spokane 4-3.