Redo for the River Dogs

10 new faces polish 2004 roster

The Columbia Basin River Dogs' manager Randy Boruff said he is pretty confident about the 2004 season.

So confident, that after the first practice, he told his wife he really liked the team makeup and chemistry. His season started meeting his expectations early on.

Last season, the River Dogs never won a tournament, this year's season opener, the Memorial Classic, they picked up the first place trophy.

"This team has a chance to be a better, all around ball club than last year," Boruff said.

The team chemistry is the other factor Boruff is pleased with. He said the ball club is older with 11 19-year-olds, has more speed and more depth in pitching.

Last year may have had better hitting, but the potential to put up runs exists with the talent on the team. One question mark is the return of Brandon Hill.

An injury towards the end of the high school season ended his high school year and the River Dogs are patiently waiting for the Washington State University signee to heal.

"He has been in the bullpen and looked awfully good and looked awfully good in the batting cage," Boruff said. "One of the things that happened to him is expectation got to Brandon. "

Boruff said his defense, pitching and clutch hitting will be the key to the River Dogs' success this season. He said team speed will play a major part with the offense.

When Hill is ready to take the mound this summer, Boruff believes he will add the pitching depth. Chad Hunter, a lefty from Moses Lake, Nick Dietzen, Michael Ratigan of Ephrata, Jared Thies and Sonny Garza have all pitched for the River Dogs and new comer Derek Shoemaker threw a no-hitter at the Memorial Classic.

"I am really happy with this team. I think that when we get healthy and Brandon Hill comes back, from day one I have felt good about what we have," Boruff said. "The toughest thing is finding enough innings to let everybody play."