Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside punch tickets to state 3A tourney | Baseball

Top-ranked Auburn Mountainview had no answer for Central Kitsap hurler Griffin McCormick, falling 2-0 to the Cougars for the 3A West Central District III/Southwest District 4 tournament title Saturday.

By Shawn Skager • May 17, 2015 4:51 pm
Auburn Mountainview's Justin Marsden on the mound during the Lions' victory over rival Auburn Riverside at the district tourney.
Auburn Mountainview's Justin Marsden on the mound during the Lions' victory over rival Auburn Riverside at the district tourney.

Top-ranked Auburn Mountainview had no answer for Central Kitsap hurler Griffin McCormick, falling 2-0 to the Cougars for the 3A West Central District III/Southwest District 4 tournament title Saturday.

McCormick tossed a complete-game shutout, giving up just three hits and striking out eight for Central Kitsap (19-4).

Despite the loss, the Lions (21-2-1), the South Puget Sound League 3A champions, earned the No. 2 seed to the state playoffs. Auburn Mountainview will face Seattle Prep at 10 a.m. next Saturday at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue.

Auburn Mountainview senior Jared Gray was tagged with the loss despite throwing a complete-game, four-hit performance with seven strikeouts.

Senior Mason Cerrillo had two hits and senior Jason Swanson had a single.

The Lions – who won the state 3A crown in 2013 – defeated Auburn Riverside 10-1, Columbia River 9-4 and Foss 10-0 to earn the trip to the district title game.

ALSO: Auburn Riverside (9-14) also earned a trip to the state 3A tourney with a fourth-place finish at the district tourney. The Ravens play Lynnwood (17-6) at 1 p.m. next Saturday at Dream Field in Mount Vernon. In the district tournament Auburn Riverside defeated Shelton 2-0 and Kennedy Catholic 7-5 before falling to crosstown rival Auburn Mountainview 10-1 in the semifinals. The Ravens fell 6-3 to Kelso in a battle for the No.3 seed.