Tri City Dust Devils 1st Half Division Champions

The Tri City Dust Devils have assured themselves a spot in post-season play in the Northwest A League by winning the first half title.

After beating Yakima 10-3 Sunday, the Dust Devils claimed the first half crown in the NW League's Eastern Division.  The Devils have been on a tear lately, winning 10 of their last 13 games, and it could not have come at a better time.  Under the NW League's expanded playoff format that was adopted several years ago, the First and Second half champions in the East and West divisions square off at season's end, with the winners dueling for the NW League title.  Here's how they break it down: based upon who has the better record at the end of the season, the #1 team from the East plays the #2 from the West divison, and vice versa.  Then the two remaining teams vie for the  NW League title.  2011 is shaping up to be another "odd" good year for the Devils, their other two Eastern Divison Championships (since they became affiliated with the Colorado Rockies) came in 2007 and 2009.  The Dust Devils finish the first half 21-16, the only team in the Eastern Divison with a winning record.  Eugene started the season in the Western Division going 21-4, but  faded badly down the stretch, going 3-11 in their last 14 games to allow the Vancouver Canadians to catch them and tie for their first half divison crown.  The Devils will finish up vs Yakima tonight and Tuesday, then kick off a crucial five game stand against the Canadians Wednesday thru Sunday at GESA Stadium.