Gavin Brubaker 'the big difference' as Curtis holds off Camas, enters regionals with newfound confidence

KENT, Wash. — Gavin Brubaker left his fingerprints all over Kent-Meridian High School's field on Saturday. In Curtis' 4A District 3/4 7-6 third place game win

KENT, Wash. — Gavin Brubaker left his fingerprints all over Kent-Meridian High School's field on Saturday.

In Curtis' 4A District 3/4 7-6 third place game win over Camas, the junior short stop/pitcher logged a three-run home run, made contact on the game-sealing RBI to re-take the lead in the top of the seventh and pitched three scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one hit allowed.

Unsurprisingly, Brubaker's impact doesn't go unnoticed in his own dugout.

"I’ve been here 14 years as an assistant and head coach and he has the most baseball savvy we’ve ever had come through here," Curtis coach Bryan Robinson said. "He knows how to play the game, does it in a competitive, humble, respectful, humble way. I’m hoping it feeds off on guys when we’re not looking."

As Curtis (13-10) staved off a late comeback by Camas (16-7), No. 6 in the WIAA's RPI ranking formula, Robinson called Brubaker's contributions "the big difference."

Brubaker subbed in on the mound at the apex of the Papermaker's comeback efforts. Camas had clawed back from a 6-1 deficit to tie the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth, after giving up three runs before logging a single out.

"He just comes in and has a presence on the mound, presence in leadoff position and presence on short," Robinson said. "When you hand him the ball, you just know good things are going to happen for us.

Both Curtis and Camas are through to the Class 4A regional round. The seeding and field will be set by a 16-team committee made up of coaches and athletic directors Sunday morning. 

More district baseball coverage

• Olympia holds off Puyallup to win 4A District 3/4 championship with shutdown night from Division I arms

• Eastlake patiently waits out No. 6 Issaquah, rallies for Class 4A District 1/2 baseball title

• Ready for the moment? Top-ranked West Seattle continues roll by winning Metro League championship

• Richland uses big inning to pull away from Kamiakin for 4A District 8 baseball title

--Andy Buhler; @AndyBuhler.