Dogs bounce back strong from loss

by David Smithburg<br>Herald Staff Writer
| July 29, 2005 9:00 PM

Seven-run first inning helps senior River Dogs coast

EPHRATA — After a game one loss, head coach Randy Boruff told his Senior River Dogs team to not worry about it and instead worry about the next game.

After the first inning of the next game, it became apparent the Dogs took his words to heart. They shook off a lackluster offensive performance in game one by scoring seven runs in the first inning and coasting to a 7-1 victory over the Calgary Blues.

It must have been a sign of good things to come when in the first inning the Dogs committed two errors but did not give up a run. They came up in their half of the inning on fire.

"We changed things up before the game," Boruff said. "We had short toss in the batting cages. I wanted to make sure we did not come out flat."

They were assisted by two home runs and a two-run single. A three-run knock came at the hands of Sonny Garza, starting pitcher Derek Shoemaker helped his own cause when hit a home run with a runner on base and Kyle Wilmot scored the other two runs via a triple.

The rest of the game resided in the capable hands of Shoemaker. He is the Senior River Dogs best pitcher.

"I knew when we had seven runs it would take something special to come back on Shoe," Boruff said.

Shoemaker made it nearly impossible on the Calgary Blues. He did not give up his first hit until the fifth inning. His success is nothing new to Boruff.

"Shoe has had a no-hitter this year," Boruff said.

Calgary did manage to score one run of Shoemaker in the fifth inning. He ran into a little control and had the bases loaded at one point but he got the next hitter to hit an infield pop-up to end the inning.

The Calgary Blues made adjustments in the second inning to try and shut down the Senior River Dogs offense. They brought in a right handed pitcher who allowed just one hit over the final five innings of senior River Dogs at-bats.

"They probably should have thrown him to start," Boruff said.

He also said it is not uncommon for his team to get a big lead early and coast.

Boruff talked of his plans for the remainder of the tournament. The senior River Dogs will face the Camas Prairie Zephyrs on Friday at 5 p.m.

"All we need to do is split with them and we will play on Sunday."

He strongly believes just one other team has a pitching staff as deep or deeper than his own, that is the Beaverton, Ore. Ringors.

"Only one staff can compete with Ringor and that is us," Boruff said. He adds that it is not arrogance that fuels those comments but knowledge of his team and their abilities.

After the game the senior River Dogs stayed for a little while to sign autographs, pose for photos and meet some young fans. It was dubbed, Meet the Dogs Night. Last time most players can remember getting autograph requests is during the 2000 Babe Ruth World Series when the River Dogs competed.

"The kids about 4th, 5th and 6th grade get a kick out of it," assistant coach Chuck Hansen said. "For me it puts it into perspective of why I coach."

"(The kids) look up to baseball players," Chase Sidwell said.

Curran Redal played on that world series team.

"It reminded me of when I was a little kid and watching my older brother play," Redal said.

Infielder Michael Ratigan had a humorous approach to autographs. He said when a baseball player never has an autograph request it is similar to always being the duck and never the goose in the child game Duck, Duck, Goose.

Before long the autograph seekers were satisfied and everyone for the Senior River Dogs was heading home after a mission accomplished and getting ready for Friday's game.

"I threw my best to make sure we won," Boruff said. "I still got my staff for Sunday."