The Auburn Mountainview baseball team punched its ticket to the West Central District III/Southwest District 4 playoffs with a 3-1 win over Hazen last Saturday at Auburn Mountainview High School in the South Puget Sound League/Seamount/Bremerton 3A tournament.

The win earned the Lions a winner-to-state game Wednesday against Wilson (with results unavailable at press time). The winner gains an automatic berth into the state 3A tournament as one of the top-four seeds out of the bi-district tourney. The loser must go through the consolation bracket for a shot at the No. 5 seed to state.

“We are ready,” said coach Glen Walker, whose Lions are 12-9 overall. “Our players have put in the work all year long and are now reaping the benefits of their work. It will not be an easy road for us, but we’ll battle each and every pitch until the final out is made.”

Against Hazen, senior pitcher Steven Johnson was magnificent on the mound, striking out 11 and allowing only four hits and two walks in a complete-game gem.

“Steven has been a real force on the hill all year long,” Walker said. “His ERA is 1.7 for the season, and many of the runs he has given up are a direct result of miscues on the defensive side. He has been our leader all year, and each time he steps up on the hill our players and coaches know we have a great chance of winning. Saturday against Hazen was no exception. He was in control of the game from start to finish.”

Derek Stephen went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs for the Lions. Kekoa Nahaku also went 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in a run.

“I am very happy with the way the kids are approaching the game of late,” Walker said. “We have had a lot more excitement and energy before, during, and after our games that we didn’t see early on. Our offensive approach has been much better as we are executing better and plating the runners who get into scoring position more often.”