The Camas softball team got back on the winning side of life Monday, with a 2-1 victory at Skyview.
Harli Hubbard allowed one unearned run for the Papermakers and gained 11 strikeouts. Freshman call up Alli Hancock went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and drove in the first run for Camas in the top of the second inning. Tori O’Neil added a fielder’s choice RBI in the same inning.
“It feels like our universe got back in the right position,” said head coach Ken Nidick. “Today was different in the sense that Harli pitched a better game. We also played good defense and got timely hits, which was key.”
Skyview humbled Camas 8-0 April 29, in the first game between these two league rivals. The Storm scored three runs with two outs in the top of the first inning and continued to apply the pressure. The Papermakers failed to come through with a few runners in scoring position.
The Camas bats came alive in a 13-0 victory at Heritage Wednesday. Lena Richards and Hubbard each hit home runs. McKinley Johnson went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs. O’Neil had three hits and scored three times. Rio Smith finished 3-for-4 with a run and 2 RBI.
Battle Ground beat the Papermakers 1-0 Friday. Johnson led off the last inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt. Hancock put a ball in play that the third baseman bobbled. The fielder recovered and threw Hancock out at first base just in time for the final out of the game.
Nidick was thrilled to see Hancock deliver the big hit Monday. She has filled in admirably for Katie Schroeder, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia.
Camas (4-2), Skyview, Battle Ground and Union are all tied for first place in league. The Papermakers play at Union Wednesday and at Evergreen Friday, before hosting Heritage Monday. All three games begin at 4 p.m.
Nidick said the time is now for the Papermakers to get refocused on the tasks at hand.
“It’s all about rededicating ourselves to what was working during that 10-0 stretch,” he said. “All of our focus in on the next practice. We are looking no further.”
