As good as Bothell’s Brian McAfee has been this year, he may have saved his best for last, as the Cornell-bound senior fired a complete-game shutout against No. 8 Richland, sending the Cougars to their first-ever state finals 6-0 on Friday night at Cheney Stadium.

McAfee struck out nine Richland batters while allowing just two hits.

On offense, Cougar sophomore Sam Lee launched a three-run home run to left in the fifth inning which was all the offense they needed to advance.

In addition, shortstop Jon Mercer went 2-for-4 and Ryan Morgan laced a double and scored a run in the victory.

The Cougars will face off at 7 p.m. tonight at Cheney Stadium in the state title game against No. 1 Jackson after the Timberwolves beat Redmond, 5-3, despite notching just one hit of Redmond’s starting pitching.