Camas rally makers silence the Storm

A three inning rally followed by a double play helped the Papermaker baseball team silence the Storm Friday, in Camas.

“Any team can just roll over,” said senior Tucker Parker. “It shows we have the fight, desire and the will to win. I think that’s what you want in a team.”

After holding Camas to a pinch hit RBI double by Tanner Howington Wednesday, Skyview scored three runs in the top of the first inning Friday. Camas chipped away with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and then scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to gain a 4-3 advantage.

“I just stuck to the game plan and rode it out,” said Parker, who pitched all seven innings for the Papermakers. “I hoped they would put the ball in play and the guys behind me would make the plays, and they did.”

Skyview loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh. Parker countered with a big strikeout. He got the next batter to hit a ground ball to Sam Christopher at short stop. Christopher flipped the ball to Jared Bentley at second, Bentley made the turn and fired the ball to first in time for the game ending double play.

“Sam is as fundamental as they come,” Parker said. “With him and Jared up the middle, I was confident they were going to get the last outs. They have been doing it all season.”

Camas (11-5) is still within striking distance of Mountain View (11-4) for the 4A Greater St Helens League championship. Those two teams clash Friday, in Camas, and Monday, at Mountain View. Both games begin at 4 p.m.

A win on Friday would propel the Papermakers into first place and ensure they win the series against Mountain View. Camas beat the Thunder 6-2 back on March 28. Parker knows what it takes for the Papermakers to do it again.

“Playing our kind of baseball,” he said. “Put balls in play, put pressure on the defense and try to win a game like we have all season.”