Martin throws no-hitter for Columbia Basin

PULLMAN, Wash. — Columbia Basin starting pitcher Drew Martin threw a no-hitter for the River Dogs in an 8-0 win over Pullman in game one at the Palouse Summer Series over the weekend.

Martin kept Pullman hitless through five innings of work and River Dogs outfielder Brett Robinson homered to give Columbia Basin the eight-run mercy-rule victory in five innings. Robinson also doubled in the win over Pullman.

After Martin’s no-hitter in game one, the River Dogs stumbled in game two against the Green Wave of Seattle.

The River Dogs controlled the first five innings of their contest with the Green Wave before Columbia Basin pitching struggled.

The Green Wave rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to knock off the River Dogs 10-9.

Columbia Basin head coach Randy Boruff said his team struggled defensively against the Green Wave.

“Ultimately errors and pitching kind of let us down,” he said.

The River Dogs dropped their second consecutive game at the Palouse Summer Classic when their lost a 13-9 decision to the Kennewick Bandits.

For the second consecutive game, the River Dogs built a lead before allowing their opponents an opportunity to rally. The River Dogs led the Bandits 6-2 before Kennewick overcame a four-run deficit to win 13-9, Boruff said.

“Pitching hurt us again,” he said. “We just couldn’t hold them.”

The River Dogs broke their two game losing streak when Tyler Lesko led Columbia Basin to a victory over the Woodinville Baseball Club. Boruff said Lesko pitched well in helping the River Dogs break their two-game losing streak.

“Tyler Lesko had a good pitching performance,” he said. “He won his fifth game of the season. He is 5-0 for us.”

Columbia Basin was able to turn a two-game losing streak into a two-game winning streak when Blaine Myers of Moses Lake followed Lesko’s strong pitching performance with one of his own in a 2-0 shut-out victory over the Bellevue Baseball Club.

Although the River Dogs rolled to victories in their final two contests of the Palouse Summer Series, Columbia Basin failed to reach the semifinals of a tournament for the first time this season, Boruff said.

“We’re a little disappointed,” he said of failing to reach the semifinals. “We were probably the best team there. Our goal is to always make the semifinals and that didn’t happen.”