The Three Rivers Sandblasters stayed alive in the American Legion State Tournament by beating Withnell Dodge of Salem 11-8 in an elimination game at Roseburg on Thursday.

Three Rivers faces tournament host Doc Stewarts of Roseburg at 4 p.m. today in another elimination game.

The Sandblasters beat Withnell for the fourth time this year with a big burst in the third inning, when they batted around and scored seven of their 11 runs.

The offense was spread out, with nine different Three Rivers players collecting hits. Eddie Crowe was the only player with two hits, and he scored twice.

Shane Rose had a two-run double and also stole three bases. Scott Buche had a two-run single and picked up the save by pitching the ninth inning. Travis Iverson started the game, with David Deutschman coming on in the sixth inning and Buche in the ninth.

Three Rivers split a pair of nonleague games with Doc Stewarts during the regular season, including a 20-1 loss at Legion Field.

The Roseburg club dropped into the losers bracket when it lost 4-2 to Medford in the late game Thursday.

In the other two games, Southridge beat Clackamas 16-6 and Columbia Gorge avoided elimination by topping Glencoe 12-8.

Three Rivers 11, Withnell Dodgers 8

Withnell    041    010    020    —    8    7    4

Three Rivers     307    010    00x    —    11    10    3

Reese McCulley, Shane Marx (5) and Bryson Varay; Travis Iverson, David Deutschman (6), Scott Buche (9) and Travis Anderson. WP — Iverson. LP — McCulley. S — Buche. 2B—TR: Shane Rose, Beau Biron; Wit: Tyler Waters, Ryan Hartman 2.