River Dogs grind out 2-3 record at NW Premier Tournament

SEATTLE — Playing with 9-10 players, Columbia Basin was able to grind out a 23 record at the 40-team Northwest Premier Tournament.

Columbia Basin dropped its first three games before winning the final two.

“We were a little handicapped there ‘cause I had guys playing out of position,” head coach Randy Boruff said.

The River Dogs started tournament play with a 9-6 loss to White Rock, allowing five unearned runs. Justin DeHoog hit a three-run homer and Columbia Basin led 4-0 before White Rock took advantage of the mistakes in the field.

Columbia Basin held a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning over unbeaten Seattle Select before Seattle scored three runs to escape with a 4-3 win. Pitcher Cooper Larsen had two outs with no one on before the rally.

Despite the losses, Boruff was pleased with the mettle his first two starters showed.

“I was happy with Zach Askin in the first game and Cooper Larsen in the second game,” he said.

Columbia Basin started slow against Boys of Summer — surrendering five runs in the first two innings — and lost 5-4.

“You can’t win a game in the first inning, but you can lost it,” Boruff said.

The River Dogs put together a seven-run fourth inning against Belleve Honda and picked up their first win of the tournament 9-1. Logan Moss pitched a complete game and Joey Mihelich had two RBI with a double.

Drake Hansen went the distance against Kalana, of Hawaii, and Columbia Basin ended its tournament run with a win 2-1. The River Dogs scored twice in the bottom of the sixth.