Players honored after world series

MOSES LAKE — After helping hosting Columbia Basin advance to the semifinals of the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series tournament last week in Moses Lake, four River Dogs players received tournament honors for their performances.

Columbia Basin cruised through pool play in the American Division, rolling to a 4-0 record and qualifying for the single-elimination portion of the tournament held at Larson Playfield.

After pool play wrapped up Wednesday evening, the umpires at the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series selected one participant from each pool play division to receive the sportsmanship award.

When the dust settled at Larson Playfield following the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series championship game, Columbia Basin catcher Jacob LaCelle, of Moses Lake, won the award for the American Division.

LaCelle was presented with the award during the closing ceremonies and he  appreciates his selection.

“I am proud to be able to get an award for something, anything,” he said. “It feels good.”

Columbia Basin left fielder Marc Garza, of Othello, was named to the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series All-Tournament team and he said he was honored by his selection.

“It feels pretty good to know that I played well enough to have people recognize me at the world series,” he said. “I felt like I hit really well.”

Garza finished the world series with a .562 average after going 9-for-16 with a pair of home runs, two triples and a double. Garza also drove in nine runs for the River Dogs, including what proved to be the game-winning run in the form of a solo home run in Columbia Basin’s 2-0 win over Minnetonka, Minn.

Garza wasn’t the only River Dogs player rewarded for a solid performance in Columbia Basin’s win over Minnetonka. Starting pitcher Drew Martin, of Moses Lake, struck out 12 batters and kept the Midwest Plains Champions to just two hits to record the shut out for the River Dogs.

Only two pitchers were named to the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series All-Tournament team and Martin appreciated the selection.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” he said of his all-tournament selection. “It means a lot knowing I was one of the better pitchers there, my outing was at least. It felt good to know that my one outing was good enough.”

Garza and Martin’s performances helped lead the River Dogs to an undefeated pool play record.

With the River Dogs finishing pool play with a perfect 4-0 record, Columbia Basin earned the American Division’s top seed — guaranteeing the host team at least a share of third place.

Columbia Basin stumbled in the semifinals, falling 7-2 to Washington State Champion and eventual 2009 Babe Ruth World Series Champion Puget Sound, Wash.

The River Dogs qualified the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series by becoming the tournament hosts. Although the River Dogs didn’t earn a regional championship on their way to the world series, Garza said it was important Columbia Basin performed well.

“I’m glad we started winning,” Garza said of pool play. “It felt like we belonged in and we were good enough.”

Columbia Basin right fielder and All-Defensive selection Dylan Signorelli said he was encouraged to see his River Dogs team show the other teams they deserved to be at the world series.

“It’s nice being able to prove to everyone we could play with them,” he said of his team’s third-place finish.

Signorelli helped the River Dogs to the semifinals both in the field and at the plate and he is humbled by his world series award.

“It’s cool to be recognized for my defense,” he said.

Although Columbia Basin fell to the eventual world champions, LaCell said hosting and playing in a Babe Ruth World Series was a memorable experience.

“It was great,” he said of the tournament. “Playing in it was nice, especially the way we played in our first four games.”