KENT - The Columbia Basin River Dogs are just two wins away from making a trip to the Senior Babe Ruth World Series in Weimar, Texas July 28.

On July 12, the River Dogs shutout the Casper Cardinals, Wyoming's state champion 12-0 in game one of the Pacific Northwest Senior Babe Ruth Regional tournament at  Memorial Park in Kent.

Columbia Basin took an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning and never looked back. The River Dogs added two runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to win the lopsided game in which the 10-run mercy rule was invoked.

Hector Zavala tossed a two-hitter and stuck out four for the win. Johnny Navarro led to offensive attack for the River Dogs going 2-for-2 at the plate with a double, triple and four RBI. Nick Dodds had two hits on three attempts, with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored, and Nate Steffler  has two hit in two plate appearances with two runs scored.

River Dogs 5

Jayhawks 1

Game two on Friday was a bit more competitive, but Columbia Basin was able to pull out a come from behind win to keep advancing through the winners bracket.

Vancouver, the southern Washington state champs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The River Dogs answered back with three runs in the top of the fifth and two in the top of the seventh to win going away. Josh Snider was credited with the win for Columbia Basin as he threw seven innings of four-hit baseball, while fanning seven Jayhawks. He also help out his own cause with a double at the plate.  Bryce Beavers was the top dog offensively with three hits in four at bats, with a double, triple and two RBI. Bryton Redal and Elliot Sage each doubled in the contest.

The River Dogs beat the Siskiyou Jaxx from California 13-3 in game three of the tournament Saturday evening to set up a quarterfinal match up with the Wilder from Port Angeles Sunday. But the result of the game was not available at press time.

If Columbia Basin continues its winning ways and is able to make it to and take the championship game Monday evening, the River Dogs will advance to the World Series Tournament in Weimar.