TRACY — Leading by eight runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners on the corners, Jackson Frisk broke for second on a steal attempt.

The throwdown sailed into center field, allowing Jackson Coenenberg to score from third and Frisk to advance to third. The attempt to get Frisk at third was off the mark, leading to Frisk to scurrying home and invoking the mercy rule in a 13-3 win for Northgate over Amador East in opening-round action of the Section 8 Majors playoffs at Legacy Fields.

Back-to-back RBI doubles by Aiden Howe (double, RBI, two runs) and Nolan Mendes (2 for 3, RBI, double, run) along with a two-RBI single by Jack Benedetti (2 for 3, two RBI, double, two runs) punctuated a six-run third inning for Northgate.

Two more runs scored off the bat of Benedetti in the fourth. With two out, Alius Lopez (two runs) on third and Howe on second, Benedetti hit a screamer to second that was booted, allowing Lopez and Howe to score.

Northgate scored two runs in the fifth before Frisk (2 for 3, RBI, two runs) and Coenenberg (2 for 2, two runs) scored. Carson Beck (triple, run) led off the frame with a triple and came home on a single by Eli Jiminez (2 for 3, two RBI, double, two runs) and Jiminez scored on a passed ball.

Northgate took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Benedetti doubled to lead off the frame and scored on a single by Jiminez.

Amador East’s Ellis Wellman and Sam Boetzler each tallied an RBI and a run.

Northgate faces Turlock American this afternoon at 5:15 in the semifinal, and Amador East follows in a consolation contest against Sunset at 7:30.