District softball playoffs got underway yesterday, and North Platte stayed alive in the A4 district with a 9-1 victory over Omaha North in an elimination game. The Bulldogs were bounced to the elimination bracket with a 7-4 loss to Columbus in the first round. They get another crack at the Discoverers today in another elimination game at 11 AM. If the Bulldogs win, they will have to beat the district hosts Millard West twice to claim the district crown and earn a trip to state. In the C6 district, the Gothenburg Swedes are one win away from a state berth. The top-seeded Swedes routed Blue Hill 10-0 and shut down Southern Valley 8-0 to reach the final. They will play either Blue Hill, Chadron, or Southern Valley for the right to go to state at 12:30 in Gothenburg, with a second championship game to follow if necessary.