River Dogs strike out at state

Columbia Basin team fails to advance to Regional tournament

EPHRATA - After three consecutive wins at the Babe Ruth state tournament, the Columbia Basin River Dogs lost two games in a row, including a 5-4 loss to the Federal Way Buzz in the semifinal game. The loss to Federal Way eliminated the River Dogs from the state tournament, and ended any hope the team would make a second consecutive trip to the Babe Ruth World Series.

The River Dogs led the buzz 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning before surrendering three runs, and the game.

Columbia Basin River Dog manager Randy Boruff said his team was two outs from advancing to the championship game.

"We got the first out in the bottom of the seventh," he said. "We were two outs from the championship game, that;s what makes baseball funny. It's round, it takes funny hops."

Before Sunday's loss to Federal Way, Boruff told his team to continue playing River Dog baseball.

"I told them to play the way we've been playing," he said.

Boruff said his team was an excellent defensive club, but defense hurt them in the loss.

"We made an error," he said. "We dropped a potential double play ball at second base. Something like that puts wind in their sails. Those teams need help."

The River Dogs had opportunities to distance themselves from Federal Way Sunday, but could not manage to score more base runners, Boruff said.

"Our biggest thing was we didn't get the clutch hit," he said. "We were a little flat."

After Sunday's loss, Boruff told his players that they will learn to live with the disappointment.

"You have your hugs and kisses," he said. "There were a lot of tears in the eyes. The sun will come up tomorrow, we have a lot of young guys."

Although disappointed after being eliminated from the state tournament, Boruff said he was proud of his team.

"We had opportunities," he said. "But in the end, we were one of the best four teams in the state."

Boruff said this loss will hurt for a while.

"If you can't accept losing, like you accept winning, you are going to have sleepless nights. Hopefully we get another shot next year."

Good teams lose and that is baseball, Boruff said.

"I had teams with talent not go far," he said. "I had teams who were not as good put it together and win. You will always have disappointments. Life ain't far, and that's baseball."

This was the last game for the Columbia Basin River Dogs this season, although Boruff said some of his younger players will compete in a tournament later this summer.