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RiverDogs ready for debut By GREG STILES In some respects, Errin Connors is starting all over. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-hander is scheduled to start the second game of the Southern Oregon RiverDogs' inaugural doubleheader against Weed-n-Sons tonight at Miles Field. Back in 1996 and 1997 Connors was part of a potent 1-2 pitching tandem at Ashland High School along with Jeremy Guthrie, who was drafted in the third round of baseball's amateur draft earlier this week. But Connors developed arm trouble his senior season and has twice undergone surgeons' knives. The first was Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in 1997. "I rehabbed for that for a year and then went down to Sacramento City and hurt my shoulder," Connors says. "They cut me front and back that time. One was to fix a tear in my bicep and the other was to shrink the shoulder capsule." He played in the Medford Adult Baseball League - equivalent to city league - last year, throwing about 50 innings. But tonight marks the first time since his senior season that he'll test his wares against collegiate-level competition. Connors says that gap between starts has provided for some tough times, but he's excited about his role with the RiverDogs. "I thought about quitting baseball, but I decided to give it one more shot," he says. "My arm's come back and playing is fun to me again." After attending College of the Siskiyous last year, he plans to walk on at Hawaii next fall. In tonight's first game, left-hander Casey Campbell, a former Crater High star who plays for Sacramento City College, will be the first of three pitchers used by coach John White. Andy Bartels and Tim Alvarez are set to also pitch in the first game. Steve Pergin and Brent Foster are set to pitch in the second game. White plans to use everybody on his roster in the opening twin bill. His starting lineup for the opening game has Steve DeClerck in left field, Nate Mayben at shortstop, Caleb Robbins at catcher, Mike Newmann in center field, Brent Foster at third base, Dan Bruce at second base, Colby Gonzales at first base, Charlie Jensen in right field and Dave Westfall as designated hitter. Weed-n-Sons is a team comprised of past and present College of the Siskiyous players and is coached by Rogue Valley resident Hank Munn. The team is named after the field where it plays its games. Former Phoenix High catching standout Newt Parent plays on the team. Catcher Andrew York of Oceanside, Calif., was drafted in the 48th round by the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Right-hander Kent Cunningham, a Henley High product, will start Game 1 for Weed-n-Sons, while right-hander Jake Coatney of Corning, Calif., will take the hill in Game 2. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Sunday at Weed, starting at noon. Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for children. Season passes are available for $20. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.