Rain delayed the showdown between Camas and state champion Skyview until after spring break. In the meantime, the Papermakers took what the rest of the 4A Greater St. Helens League could dish out in three days. Camas shut down Heritage 4-0 Wednesday. McKinley LeFore pitched six innings of 1-hit baseball and gained 10 strikeouts. Sam Jones and Dylan White delivered 2-run doubles.
Wherever Andrew Ziegler goes, Luna will be two steps behind while her nose stays two steps ahead. "When I'm out with her, I'm never alone," Ziegler said. "It's like a missing part of me has been filled. I couldn't imagine life without her." The 20-month-old trained diabetes alert service black labrador retriever from Pieces of the Universe follows the 16-year-old Camas High School sophomore to his classes and band practices. She also keeps a cautious eye on his blood sugar level while he sleeps. Ziegler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 2 years old and has been on an insulin pump since he was 5. Constantly living in fear for her son's life, Sharon would wake him up in the middle of the night to check his blood sugar. Now she can rest comfortably knowing that Luna is always on guard.
Competitors couldn't leap higher than Caleigh Lofstead, hurdle quicker than Jordan Davis or run faster than Alexa Efraimson. Nobody in Camas High School track and field history has either. Years of performing gymnastics turned Lofstead into a natural pole vaulter. On March 25, she battled wind, rain, and thunder and lightning delays, but she still sailed over the bar placed 11 feet above to set a new school record.
The game of soccer can change on the flip of a coin. After cashing in three goals during the first half against defending 3A state champion Bonney Lake March 22, the Papermakers were barely able to afford the two they needed to defeat Columbia River 2-0 Wednesday at Doc Harris Stadium. "We didn't play as good of soccer as we normally play, but we got the result. Pre-season is all about learning," said senior midfielder Matt Palodichuk. "Soccer is a game of ups and downs. How you react to those down moments defines the heart of a team."
Four days of rain evaporated after three Camas base hits in the top of the first inning Monday, at Mountain View. Lena Richards and Katie Schroeder laced back-to-back singles, and Harli Hubbard brought them both home on a 2-run triple. "It felt natural," Hubbard said. "We missed a few outdoor practices, but it didn't feel like we did."
The Camas High School baseball team returned from the sunny side of Washington state on a mission. Hitting, defense and a total team effort helped the Papermakers defeat Evergreen 10-4 Monday, for their first league victory of the season. The Papermakers pounded out 15 hits in the ballgame, and held the Plainsmen to just three.
Who let the Panthers out? Scratch. Claw. Roar. After losing every single baseball game in 2013, Washougal has already won three games in 2014. The come-from-behind 6-5 victory against La Center Thursday in extra innings could be just the start of a special season for the Panthers. "This is a much better place to be, and we're excited," said head coach Greg Lewis. "I saw more fans out here today than I did all of last season. They're excited about the brand of baseball we're putting on the field."
With the help of her Papermaker sisters, Harli Hubbard was untouchable against Washougal March 18 at Camas High School. The senior struck out 10 Panthers and surrendered two walks and zero hits in five innings pitched. That's all it took for the Papermakers to win the softball game 18-0. Camas put five runs on the board in the first inning, three in the second, seven in the third and three in the fourth. Hubbard went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple, single, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Lena Richards drove in two runs on two hits and scored four times. Katie Schroeder and Cailyn Grindy delivered 2-run singles in the first inning. Jennifer Ross added an RBI single in the first.
Cameron Pierce and Connor Heredia drove in runs for Camas, while Dylan White was dealing into the seventh inning with a no hitter. Prairie then made the Papermakers sweat. The potential final batter for the Falcons reached first base safely after a Camas outfielder lost the ball in the bright sun. With White approaching the 90-pitch count, head coach Joe Hallead reluctantly took him out of the game.
Thanks to good, home cooking and lots of tender love and care, Louis Bloch Park is ready for it's grand re-opening to Camas-Washougal Babe Ruth Saturday, March 29. "I grew up and played ball here. My goal is to bring back that community and family feel around the ballpark," said League President Jaycop Collins. "We want people to come on down and have a burger and enjoy a game. Have this become their restaurant for the summer." Collins played baseball at Louis Bloch Park between 1993 and 1997. He also served as a coach for a few seasons after graduating from Washougal High School in 1997.
dan.trujillo@camaspostrecord.com
