Nederland stays alive in playoff bid
Columbia Basin battles for life in the World Series
PURCELLVILLE, Va. - Frustration sets in as Columbia Basin drops its second game in as many days.
The Junior River Dogs (1-2), the Pacific Northwest regional champions, were shut out by Nederland, Texas (2-2) Tuesday in a 6-0 loss at the 16-year-old Babe Ruth World Series at Loudoun County, Va. The loss left the Columbia Basin coaching staff confounded by the lack of run production and aggressive plate appearances.
"We didn't run the bases well at all, we didn't get clutch hits today and we have been over and over and over this stuff before," said Chuck Hansen, manager of the Junior River Dogs. "To be honest with you, we are at kind of a loss for why we aren't doing that well."
Sunday started with the No. 1 ace on the mound and a defensive-minded lineup and the result was a 4-3 win over Northern Fairfax, Va. Monday was an offensive-minded lineup with the No. 2 ace on the mound and Columbia Basin was nearly shut out by Bakersfield, Calif. Tuesday was a mix and Hansen maintained his run of pitchers, throwing Adriane Villa.
This time, the Junior River Dogs left six runners on base, four runners in scoring position and struck out 10 times, while reaching base safely nine times in the game. Nederland got on base safely in each inning, drawing seven walks, a hit batter and eight hits.
"We should be better and I feel we should have already locked up a spot in the playoffs," Hansen said.
Bakersfield, Calif. already clinched the No. 1 seed for the American League and Nederland awaits the results of Wednesday's games between Columbia Basin and Stamford, Conn. (2-1) for the No. 2 and 3 seeds for the playoff tournament starting on Thursday.
For the Junior River Dogs, they put their backs against the wall and face a must win situation against Stamford Wednesday morning for a continuance through the World Series. Stamford put itself into the drivers seat with a win over Northern Fairfax Tuesday and needing a win over the Junior River Dogs to tie with Bakersfield and clinch the No. 2 spot in the American League.
"I think we can, they are all standout guys from the towns they come from and I am sure they have been in this situation before," Hansen added.
Nederland fought with their backs against the ropes, preventing Columbia Basin from throwing a knockout blow by tacking two runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning.
Columbia Basin showed promise in the second after Scott Elder led off the inning with a single to left field. Jeff Jack followed by reaching safely on a throwing error, but Jack was thrown out advancing to second base, followed by Elder getting caught in a rundown between third and home.
Nederland catcher Tony Borel drove in the third run of the game in the fourth with a single, followed by Villa walking three straight batters in the fifth, forcing Hansen to bring in Ray Valle to pitch out of the jam, striking out Aaron Dalton to end the inning.
Nederland capitalized in the sixth with pinch hitter Derrick Coleman hitting a two-run triple down the right field line, Coleman later scored on Powell's ground out to second base.
"Tomorrow is another day and we need to come out firing and forget about what has happened today," Hansen said.
Columbia Basin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Nederland, Texas 2 0 0 1 0 3 0 6 8 2
Columbia Basin Nederland, Texas
AB R H RBI AB R H RBI
CF Redal 3 0 0 0 LF Speed 2 1 0 0
LF Forrest 0 0 0 0 P Powell 3 1 0 1
SS Rodriguez 3 0 1 0 1B Laird 3 0 0 0
3B Ratigan 2 0 0 0 3B Smith 3 0 2 1
2B Elder 3 0 1 0 SS Coulter 3 0 1 0
C Jack 2 0 0 0 CF Johnson 1 1 0 0
1B Munoz 3 0 1 0 2B Dalton 3 0 1 0
RF Clark 1 0 0 0 C Borel 3 1 2 1
P Villa 2 0 1 0 RF Shoemaker 2 1 1 0
PH Bator 1 0 0 0 PH Coleman 1 1 1 2
PH Benson 1 0 0 0
PH Moron 1 0 0 0
PH Miller 1 0 1 0
PH Valle 1 0 0 0
Total: 24 0 5 0 24 6 8 5