A Karis Kaboom! Gonzaga Prep baseball feeding off energy from catcher's big home runs

Anthony Karis has seven home runs as a senior for surging Bullpups heading into WIAA regionals Saturday

Power-hitting Gonzaga Prep senior Anthony Karis has seven home runs this spring, none bigger than the springboard blast that led the Bullpups to a comeback victory over Kamiakin in the Class 4A District 6 semifinals. (Jennifer Clouse / Jennifer Clouse Photography)

Brian Munhall knew Gonzaga Prep baseball needed a spark to hit another gear in May.

And 4A/3A Greater Spokane League most valuable player Anthony Karis provided it in the biggest way.

The once-committed-to-Oregon State slugging NCAA Division I catcher recruit came up with the program’s most important hit in years - a seventh-inning, game-tying three-run home run - to rally the Bullpups to a 6-5 victory over Kamiakin in the Class 4A District 6 tournament semifinals in Spokane.