Area Roundup: ‘Tree’ Thomas set to join Idaho men’s basketball

Phillip “Tree” Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward from San Leandro High School in California, signed a letter of intent Saturday to attend the University of Idaho and play basketball for the Vandals in the fall.

Thomas averaged 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior at San Leandro.

Baseball

Clayton Mortensen allowed four hits while striking out 10 in the complete game as Gonzaga blanked host San Francisco (22-23, 5-9) 1-0 at Benedetti Diamond in San Francisco.

Mortensen (6-2) threw his fourth complete game of the season.

Bryan Winston scored the Bulldogs’ (27-20, 10-4) lone run on an error in the eighth inning.

“Linfield swept visiting Whitworth (13-23, 9-14) in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Roy Helser Field in McMinnville, Ore.

Brian Clark pitched a complete game four-hitter as the Wildcats won the opener 10-0. Rhett Fenton and Kevin Mills each had three hits to lead Linfield.

In game two, Brian Kerr hit a two-run double in the eighth, guiding the Wildcats (21-14, 16-7) to a 5-3 win.

“Southern California took advantage of four Washington State errors and beat the Cougars 9-5 in a Pac-10 Conference game at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles.

The Trojans (22-22, 5-9) scored three unearned runs in the second to take a 6-1 lead.

Jeff Miller had three hits and two RBIs to lead WSU (21-19, 4-10).

“Brian Yardley went 4 for 5 with four RBIs as CC Spokane topped Walla Walla 11-10 in 13 innings in a NWAACC doubleheader in Walla Walla (26-9, 13-5).

The Warriors won game two 7-6. Cody Brubaker went 2 for 4 with a home run to lead the Sasquatch (21-16, 11-8).

Softball

Salt Lake swept host North Idaho (37-24, 23-17) in a Scenic West Athletic Conference doubleheader at Memorial Field in Coeur d’Alene.

Lindsey Palmer went 2 for 4 with two RBIs as the Bruins won the opener 8-4.

In game two, Kara Bendt allowed three hits as Salt Lake (35-16, 28-12) won 5-2.

“No. 2 Linfield swept No. 8 Whitworth in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Diana Marks Field in Spokane.

The three-time defending NWC champion Wildcats (34-4, 25-1) scored seven runs in the second and coasted to a 9-0 shutout in five innings in the opener.

In game two, Meredith Brunette hit a grand slam in the fourth as Linfield won 12-5.

Lindsay Davis had three hits and five RBIs to lead the Pirates (29-5, 24-2).

“Amber Martinot pitched a complete game four-hitter as Blue Mountain (23-18, 13-9) blanked CC Spokane 1-0 in the first game of a NWAACC doubleheader at Spokane Falls Community College.

The Sasquatch won game two 4-0. Amber Keeler earned the win for CCS after throwing a complete game two-hitter. Jackie Purser and Whitney Dilworth each hit solo homers for the Sasquatch (18-18, 12-10).

“Lauren Greer hit a two-run single in the fifth to put No. 11 Washington ahead 5-4 and the Huskies (31-13, 8-6) held on to beat No. 16 Oregon (39-13, 4-10) 6-4 at Husky Softball Stadium in Seattle.

Men’s tennis

The third-seeded Eastern Washington men beat fourth-seeded Montana 4-0 in the Big Sky Conference semifinals and will play in the championship match against tournament-host Sacramento State.

The winner will earn the Big Sky’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.

Men’s Rowing

The Gonzaga men’s team advanced two boats to today’s Grand Finals on the first day of the 2007 WIRA Championships at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

The Bulldogs varsity 8+ and novice 4+ boats advanced to today’s Grand Finals.