River Dogs runners-up in Spokane

SPOKANE — Columbia Basin finished 3-1 at its tournament in Spokane to finish second.

The River Dogs won three one-run games in a row to reach the championship game against the Spokane Cannon. The Cannon scored four runs in the sixth inning to erase a 4-2 deficit and win 6-4.

“We actually played really good the first three,” manager Randy Boruff said. “It’s been pitching and defense for us. We just had a bad sixth inning. That’s what got us.”

Up until the title game, the River Dogs’ late-game execution was advanced for this time of the season.

Quincy Vassar pitched a two-hitter in the tournament opener against Mt. Spokane and Columbia Basin won 1-0. The game’s lone run was pushed across in the second inning when Camron Valdez drove in Arcenio Martinez.

Jordan Rios was the winning pitcher in Game 2 as Columbia Basin dispatched the Cannon 2-1 to win its pool and advance to the semifinals.

Zach Askin picked up the save and scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Nick Lopez drew a bases-loaded walk.

In the semifinals, the River Dogs outlasted the Spokane Expos 4-3.

Lopez once again drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning to win the game. Joe Taylor score the deciding run after doubling. Lopez contributed an RBI double earlier in the game.

The Cannon were able to work their way back to the championship game after beating the Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen in the other semifinal.

Abel Gomez threw five solid innings before tiring in the sixth.

Taylor was 3-for-3 and Zac Berryman added two hits.

The River Dogs play the Rock Hounds Thursday, 5:30 p.m., at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium in Ephrata.