Auburn Riverside escaped elimination in the West Central District III/Southwest District 4 4A baseball tourney with a dramatic 3-2 extra-innings win Tuesday over South Puget Sound League North 4A rival Kentwood at Heritage Recreation Center in Puyallup.

Knotted at 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Raven (11-10) senior Gavin Hettinger reached base on a single and was advanced by senior Joey Galeno’s follow-up single. A sacrifice bunt by senior catcher Skyler Erban advanced Hettinger and Galeno to third and second base, respectively, setting the stage for junior shortstop Aaron Nguyen, whose hit to the shortstop was misplayed, earning an error and a a run.

Auburn Riverside took at 3-1 lead in the inning with Byran Darby bringing in Galeno on a squeeze play.

The Conquerors (14-6) responded offensively in their half of the inning, drawing a pair of walks, followed by a fly out to centerfield and a strikout by winning pitcher Brady Cummings.

With two-outs, Cummings walked the next batter to load the bases for Kentwood.

Conks pinch-hitter Shane McGuire responded with a base hit to left, scoring the player on third base and sending the player on second home for the tie.

Leftfielder Hettinger responed with a bullet to home to beat the runner, grab the third out and secure the win.

The win earned the Ravens a loser-out contest on Wednesday against Tahoma (15-6), with results unavailable at press time.

A win against the Bears keeps Auburn Riverside in the hunt for a state berth with a 10 a.m. Saturday loser-out game at Heritage Recreation Center in Puyallup against the winner of the Olympia (9-12) versus Kentridge (14-6) game.