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.
Camas wrestler Caleb Malychewski's college career ended with a win and a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Division III championship tournament Saturday, at U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 184-pound Pacific University Boxer rebounded from losses in the semifinals and the consolation semifinals by grinding out a 2-0 victory against Coe College's Ryan Sheldon in a trophy match for fifth place.
Ryan Dietzman pumped up the jam on the high bar. The 16-year-old Level 10 Camas gymnast delivered a perfect dismount and landing to earn a goal medal during the USAG Washington state men's gymnastics championships Saturday evening, at the Clark County Event Center. "It was such a clean and crisp routine," Dietzman said. "It felt so good."
The Washington state men's gymnastics championship meet is coming to Clark County for the first time in more than 20 years. This is the ground breaking opportunity members of the host Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy have been striving for since they moved into the Camas Armory building in 2004. It has become home base for gymnasts, dancers, musicians and cheerleaders. "People from all different walks of life come here," said founding coach and co-owner Randy Fox. "VEGA started with 10 kids 10 years ago. Now, there's well over a thousand. That's all from word of mouth and our loyal community."
With vehicles driving on the new 38th Avenue, Caryn and Clark Vitek cannot wait to plant their seeds and watch them grow into the Evergreen Tennis Facility. "It's the gateway corridor from East Vancouver to Camas," Caryn said. "We're looking forward to having great visibility on that new road." Four indoor courts will be constructed on 2.28 acres of land at 5225 N.W. 38th Ave., next to Fisher Investments, in Camas. These courts will come with two glass cargo doors at each end of the facility, and a translucent ceiling to capture natural light.
Jerome Kersey is scheduled to visit Saturday's portion of the Dream Team Camp at Liberty Middle School, 1612 N.E. Garfield St., in Camas. Kersey played for the Portland Trail Blazers between 1984 and 1995. He was also a part of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Seattle Supersonics, the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks during his 17 years in the NBA.
