Riverdogs ready for Walla Walla Invitational

Invite is final tune-up for state

EPHRATA - After finishing in third place at the 2007 senior Babe Ruth League World Series in Newark, Ohio, Columbia Basin Riverdogs manager Randy Boruff is excited about his team's chances for a trip to the 2008 World Series.

With a record of 29-11-1, Boruff is proud of his team's successful season thus far.

"We are coming together," Boruff said. "We have had good pitching and good defense."

The Riverdogs head into this weekend's Walla Walla Bears Invitational tournament after a team championship in the Fourth of July weekend High Desert Classic in Ephrata.

The Riverdogs defeated the North Corner Tribe of Everett 11-0 in the classic's championship game and finished the tournament with a 5-1-1 record.

Boruff said his team is peaking at the right time of the season heading into the state tournament July 16-20 in Ephrata.

"The kids have great team chemistry," Boruff said. "We are playing better right now. We are hitting it just right, stride wise."

The Riverdogs hope to advance to the Babe Ruth World Series for the second consecutive year.

"We are the defending regional champs," Boruff said. "We placed third in the world series."

Before the Riverdogs can defend its regional championship, the team must make it through the state tournament.

"This is one of the stronger state tournaments," Boruff said. "We are one of the teams to beat."