Seth Rayburn had the pitches going his way Wednesday, and now he and the Columbia River Chieftains are going to the Class 3A state baseball tournament.
Rayburn and the Chieftains shut down North Thurston 10-0 in six innings in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A bi-district tournament at Propstra Stadium, securing a spot in the regional round of state — the sweet 16.
“It’s been our goal since Day 1,” Rayburn said, describing his teammates as family. “Just keep mentally strong and just keep working hard and playing our best.”
Columbia River will play two seeding games Saturday at Auburn Mountainview High School to try and win this bi-district title. No matter the results, the Chieftains will be playing in the state tournament for the third time in four seasons.
Rayburn retired the final eight batters he faced, striking out three in his three-hit shutout.
“I don’t really know what to say. I thought I threw great. My arm felt great,” said Rayburn, who improved to 18-2 in his high school career.
He also credited his defense.
“They hit the ball hard a few times, but luckily right at people,” Rayburn said.
River first baseman Andrew Haley made a fantastic play on an errant throw to catch and tag the runner to get the lead-off batter out in the top of the fifth inning.
Rayburn then only needed four pitches to get out of the sixth inning.
“That was awesome,” he said.
Columbia River gave Rayburn all he needed with a four-run third inning, capitalizing on a North Thurston error that might have been a double play. Blake McKinney, Brady Benson, and Jordan Craig each drove in a run in the frame.
Jace McKinney drove in a run with a single in the fourth to make it 5-0.
River ended the game on the 10-run rule with five runs in the sixth. Jace McKinney, Benson, Craig, Sam Walker, and Bryson Oury got the RBIs.
North Thurston’s biggest threat came in the fourth when the first two batters reached on singles against Rayburn.
“They’re not going to score. They’re never going to score. That’s just what I have to tell myself,” Rayburn said. “I have to have a positive mindset the whole time.”
Columbia River coach Stephen Donohue was thrilled with getting this win in Clark County. Had River lost, the Chieftains would have had to win two — on the road — Saturday in order to make it to state.
“It feels good to take care of it down here,” Donohue said. “We took care of business in Vancouver and had some of our fans here.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 10, NORTH THURSTON 0
North Thurston 000 000 –0 3 2
Columbia River 004 105 –10 10 1
North Thurston
Pitchers — Ryan Mets 4 IP, loss; Hunter Nielsen 1 2/3 IP; Dylan Wharton 0 IP, (faced two batters). Highlights — Wharton 1-2; Hayden Maliska 1-3; Mets 1-2.
Columbia River
Pitchers — Seth Rayburn 6 IP, win, 3 Ks. Highlights — Jay Becker 2-4, 2B; Jordan Craig 2-3, 2 RBI; Andrew Haley 1-4; Blake McKinney 2-4, RBI; Brady Benson 1-2, 2 RBI; Jace McKinney 2-3, 2 RBI; Sam Walker 0-3, RBI; Bryson Oury 0-1 RBI.
