World series host Riverdogs play hard, bested by Tropics

EPHRATA – As the host team, the Columbia Basin Riverdogs began the 2022 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series under the lights at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium with a packed house. With a win in the first game, a 10-0 win over the KUBA Kings, the Riverdogs started off pool play on a high note - however, struggles began soon after. “You always want to play in a World Series,” Riverdogs head coach Jason Laugen said. “Ultimately you want to win one, but just like the state championship – there’s only one happy team at the end of the World Series.” After the opening win, the Riverdogs fell to the Northwest Bakersfield Waves 6-0 on Sunday and the Stamford Thunder 3-1 on Monday. After a day off on Tuesday, the home team was on the brink of elimination against a fellow team from Washington, Farmers Baseball out of Brewster. “We battled,” Laugen said. “Battled through this World Series. Two of our three losses were by a score of 3-1. Great ball games, and going out and competing.”