River Dogs' win streak hits 15 games

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin River Dogs continued on their recent tear through Babe Ruth baseball action, winning the North Corner/Desert Dogs Series over the weekend at Ephrata High School.

The River Dogs had little trouble dispatching teams from Everett, Othello and Brewster, as well as the Desert Dogs, an All-Star squad of Columbia Basin-based players. The six consecutive victories on Friday, Saturday and Sunday stretched the River Dogs' winning streak to 15 games, head coach Randy Boruff said.

Zack Swart led the team in its championship game victory over Four Corners, a 5-0 final in which Swart tossed a complete-game two-hitter. Cory Hitchcock, a Moses Lake High School player, also pitched well as Columbia Basin knocked off the Tribe 11-3 on Friday.

In Saturday's 9-2 victory over Brewster, the River Dogs put up 13 hits and overcame four errors to win easily. After grabbing a 5-0 lead in the first inning, the River Dogs used a leadoff walk, a passed ball and a two-run single from JR Jarrell to extend the lead.

Brewster scored once in third against River Dog starter Chris Sattler, but Columbia Basin responded in its half on a single to left, an error and a two-run double down the left-field line.

Sattler got the victory, holding Brewster to six hits and two runs in six innings of work.

Curran Redal led the River Dogs' offensive attack in the tournament, compiling nine hits in the six games.

Sports reporter Tony Vehrs contributed to this report.