WSU, GU win conference openers

Washington State and Gonzaga were victorious in their conference baseball openers Friday.

The Cougars (9-11) got two home runs from junior Michael Weber, who drove in four runs during an 8-7 Pac-10 victory over California in Berkeley. It was their first conference-opening win since 2006.

WSU starter Matt Way (3-2) had his string of scoreless innings end at 30, but not before the Cougars had a four-run third inning on two-run homers by Alex Burg and Weber after two were out. They led 7-0 into the bottom of the sixth.

GU’s Bulldogs (16-6) belted host San Francisco 10-2. Freshman right fielder Royce Bolinger had three hits and drove in three runs in the West Coast Conference triumph.

The Bulldogs capitalized on early inning wildness – two walks, two hit batters – and an error for a five-run first inning. Bolinger capped the frame with a two-out, two-run double. Anthony Synegal was 2 for 3 with three RBIs, including his first career home run.

Also in Pac-10 play, the University of Washington was beaten 13-3 by host Stanford to fall to 9-13 overall. Caleb Brown homered for the Huskies.

Track and field

Washington State competitors took advantage of mild Northern California weather to reach seven NCAA regional qualifying marks and numerous personal bests during the Stanford Invitational.

Lisa Egami ran the third-fastest women’s 1,500-meter time in school history at 4 minutes, 22.57 seconds. Also qualifying were Amanda Andrews (women’s steeplechase, 10:42.72); Sam Ahlbeck (men’s steeplechase, 8:53.46); Isley Gonzalez (women’s 5,000, 16:39.38); Trent Arrivey (men’s high jump, 7 feet, 2¼ inches); Lorraine King (women’s 400 hurdles, 60.30) and freshman J. Hopkins (men’s 400 hurdles, 52.27).

Former Ferris standout Kelly McNamee, a freshman at UW, cleared 5-8¾ in her first outdoor high jump to advance.

Idaho qualifiers were Kyle Hook in the javelin at 208-11 and shot putter Eugenio Nannucci in 57-5½.

Austin Abbott ran the second-fastest 1,500 time in school history, winning his flight in 3:41.62.

•During the Whitworth Buc Scoring Invitational, Montana’s Michael Blanchard won the men’s decathlon over three Pirates with 5,704 points. Curtis Powell of Whitworth was second at 5,466.

Softball

Washington, ranked No. 2 in the nation, opened Pac-10 play with a 9-1, eight-run mercy-rule victory over No. 12 California (23-9). The Huskies (23-8) sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the fourth inning, ending the game after five.

•North Idaho College (20-15, 18-10 Scenic West Athletic Conference) swept a doubleheader with visiting Snow College (10-19, 9-15), winning 6-5 in nine innings in the opener and 3-2 in the nightcap.

Alyssa Hawley scored the winner in the opener after singling in the ninth, stealing second and scoring on a throwing error after Lauren Maloney struck out. Hawley, a University High grad, was 2 for 3 and scored twice. She was 3 for 4 for the day.

In the second game, Maloney singled in the fifth, moved to third on a stolen base and ground out, then scored what proved to be the winning run on a double steal.

The teams play today at 10 a.m.

•Host Community Colleges of Spokane (15-3, 5-1 NWAACC) posted a 17-1, 3-2 sweep over Yakima Valley (5-11, 2-4).

Heather Jackson continued her torrid hitting with two in each game and Michelle Wells had three hits in the opener, including a home run.

Golf

The Fairways at West Terrace has opened for play on 18 permanent greens, but for walking only. The use of riding carts will be considered on a day-to-day basis.