The last thing head coach Brad Comstock wanted was a three-way tie-breaker to make the postseason if his Auburn Riverside Ravens fell to Kentwood in the season finale on May 6.

“We had a lot of options to get in to the playoffs. The win was the easiest way to take care of that. I’m really happy we took care of business,” Comstock said.

Auburn Riverside entered the final game with a one-game advantage over Mount Rainier and Kentwood. If the Ravens fell and the Rams won, all three would enter a three-team round robin.

The Ravens were led by junior right-hander Cameron Bain, who threw a complete game to down Kentwood 7-3 and avoid the three-team tie-breaker.

“He was really excited to throw for those guys on senior night. He got here when I got here at four o’clock. I was sitting in the clubhouse writing the lineup card and he was telling me he was ready to go. The last three weeks he has really been on,” Comstock said.

Bain is riding the coattails of fellow starter Kaeden Morgan, who threw six innings the day prior in the 2-1 win. Bain even pitched the final inning over Kentwood in game one of the series.

Across his eight innings against Kentwood (May 5-6), Bain allowed eight hits, three earned runs, five strikeouts and one walk. He threw 95 pitches in the complete game after throwing nine pitches the day before. It meant a lot for Bain to take the ball on senior night as a way to honor the leaders in his program.

“This is the greatest group of guys I have ever played with. I love every single one of these guys. Coach Comstock and the rest of the coaching staff are just phenomenal. There is no one I would rather play for,” Bain said.

A lot was on the mind of this group of Ravens: the looming playoffs, senior night and the possibility their season could end later this week. But the seniors came though in a big way and led the Ravens to their third straight win to close out the regular season.

“That senior group has been with me for a long time. Every senior who started tonight is in their third year as a starter. I have a lot of trust in them,” Comstock said.

The Raven offense peppered the ball around the field as they scored at least one run in each of the first five innings.

In the first frame, the Ravens took advantage of two errors committed by Kentwood, and senior shortstop Andre Muneton came around to score on a ball put in play by Nate Soto.

In the second, the bottom half of the order found their way on base and scored the Ravens’ second run of the game on an Owen Johnson double, which brought home Ethan Melius.

Johnson, a freshman, ended the night going 2-2 with a pair of RBIs, a run scored and a walk. In the most important game of the season, no moment was too big for the first-year backstop, who is just finding his role on the varsity team.

“He’s a kid that understood what his role was at the time. He’s the first guy out of the dugout, picking up bats and picking guys up, waiting for an opportunity. Unfortunately, our starting catcher who is a senior is out with a concussion. Owen has stepped in and done everything I have asked and more. I’m so impressed with his composure and his grit,” Comstock said.

Melius also has found his stride at the plate. After the first two series this season, Melius was just 3-12, but he ended the season in the final two series going 7-12 over four games.

Auburn Riverside carried a 4-0 lead into the fourth inning where Kentwood put some pressure on Bain. The Conks sent three runs across home plate and cut the lead down to one, 4-3. At the same moment in time, Mount Rainier led 5-0 and the tie-breaker scenario loomed over both teams on the field.

But the Ravens responded, fueled by the top of the order. Johnson walked, and Caleb Anardi was hit by a pitch to bring back up Muneton. The senior checked in for his second hit of the day, this one a double to right that scored Johnson. One batter later, Bain helped his own cause with a single to hold a 6-3 lead.

From the fifth to the seventh inning, Bain would retire the next nine of the final 10 batters he faced to seal the win.

“It just feels so good knowing the hard work is paying off. This group has worked so hard. No one deserves it more than this senior class,” Bain said.

Auburn Riverside will be in action on May 13 in round one of the District Tournament, with seeding and location to be determined. Excitement is beginning to brew on Oravetz Road.

“I am so excited. We are starting to score more runs, the offense is really producing. I think the sky is the limit for this group,” Bain said.