Auburn Riverside senior pitcher Michael Rucker held Gig Harbor to just two hits on Wednesday, leading the Ravens to a 6-0 win in the second round of the West Central District III/Southwest District IV playoffs and guaranteeing his team a spot in the state 4A baseball tourney.
Rucker, who will play college ball at Gonzaga University next year, earned the win with a complete game, striking out seven.
Offensively, the Ravens roughed up the Tides for eight hits, with junior Justin Jacobs leading the way with two RBIs.
Senior Nick Minteer was 3-for-4 at the dish with an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Joey Galeno also went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
Junior Christopher Minteer added an RBI and senior Kameron Boardway had a triple and two runs scored.
Auburn Riverside will play South Puget Sound League North 4A rival Kentridge at 4 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Field in Puyallup in a contest to decide the No. 4 and No. 8 seeds into the state tourney.
The No. 4 seed begins play in the state tourney at 1 p.m. May 19 at Kent Memorial Park, with the No. 8 seed traveling to Avista Stadium in Spokane for a 1 p.m. game May 19.