River Dogs capture Washington Open

The River Dogs Devin Juarez flies out to deep center field in the bottom of the third inning against Bellevue Toyota Saturday in Ephrata.

Pitcher Josh Snider and first baseman Kody Samuels watch a bunt attempt roll into foul territory.

by Bob Kirkpatrick & Herald Sports Editor
| July 31, 2012 6:05 AM

Pitcher Josh Snider and first baseman Kody Samuels watch a bunt attempt roll into foul territory.

EPHRATA - The Columbia Basin River Dogs ended their summer season in fine fashion, taking five of six games over the weekend.

Columbia Basin opened up pool play Thursday with a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Spokane Dodgers.

The team won its next two games on Friday as they turned back Eastside 8-2 and the Washington Senators from Auburn 5-0 to finish pool play.

The action picked back up Saturday afternoon for the River Dogs as they put a hurting on the Bellevue Toyota 16-2 to move into the semifinal round Sunday. Columbia Basin trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the first, but hung five runs on the board and never looked back as the River Dogs cruised to an easy victory. Tanner Williams was the big stick for Columbia Basin going 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI. Josh Snider was the starting pitcher of record and picked up the win for the River Dogs.

The semifinal game against the Senators was a bit too close for comfort, but Columbia Basin was able to come from behind for a 3-1 win and move into the final game against Puyallup.

That game wasn't much of a contest as the River Dogs blew past the Cardinals 9-2 to claim the championship.

Several River Dogs came up big in the game. Johnny Navarro had three hits in four at bats with two RBI, three stolen bases and two runs scored. Bryce Beavers was 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and two stolen bases, and Elliott Sage finished with two hits in four attempts.

Columbia Basin ended the summer season with a 44-18 record.