News / Sports / Prep Sports

Skyview baseball bounces back against Camas

By Micah Rice, Columbian Sports Editor

Published: April 15, 2014, 5:00pm

Skyview's Jake Dennis, right, is congratulated after hitting a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning Tuesday against Camas. Skyview won 8-5.

In baseball, a short memory can be a good thing.

Skyview beat Camas 8-5 on Tuesday to move into second place in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League.

It also put a lopsided loss 24 hours earlier to Camas further in the past.

“They flat out beat us in every aspect of the game yesterday,” Skyview coach Eric Estes said of that 14-2 loss. “We’re better than what we did yesterday.”

Skyview was much better Tuesday. The host Storm scored six runs with two outs, collected 10 hits and had pitcher Adam Walker walk just one batter over five strong innings.

Skyview’s James Brooks said Monday’s thrashing by Camas was a wake-up call.

“That set the mood for the rest of the season,” Brooks said. “If you bounce back after a game like we played yesterday, I think that shows a bit of character.”

Skyview isn’t the only team looking forward. Spring break is over, so contenders want to make a break toward a league championship.

Union (5-1), Skyview (4-2), Camas (3-3) and Battle Ground (3-3) are in that mix with about three weeks left in the league season.

“What you do after spring break is going to determine this league,” Estes said. “We play four out of five days this week. That’s OK, though. It’s what we like.”

Tuesday, Skyview’s hitting with two outs made the difference. The Storm were 4 for 8 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

“I don’t think the approach changes with two outs,” said Brooks, whose two-out, two-run single gave Skyview a 6-2 lead in the fourth. “You’re just trying to do everything you can to get a hit and stay alive for your team.”

With two outs in the second inning, Jordan Freese hit an RBI triple before scoring on a single by Curtis Perrin. Those hits gave Skyview a 3-1 lead.

Camas pulled within 6-5 in the top of the fifth. A two-out Skyview error allowed RBI singles by Dylan White and Sam Jones.

Skyview increased its cushion to 8-5 in the bottom of the fifth. Jake Dennis hit a sacrifice fly before Perrin drove in his second run of the game with two outs.

Brooks Hanson went 2 for 4 with two runs for Skyview.

White, Blake Christopher and McKinley LaFore each had two hits for Camas.

As the chase for the GSHL title heats up, Skyview’s Brooks said his team will be marked men. Tuesday showed that they can bounce back from a poor showing.

“Winning state last year put a big target on our backs,” Brooks said. “We just need to play up to our potential.”

SKYVIEW 8, CAMAS 5

Camas 011 030 0–5 9 3

Skyview 120 230 x–8 11 3

Camas

Pitching — Tucker Parker 4 IP, Chase Gallagher 1.1 IP, Sam Jones 0.2 IP; Highlights — Cameron Pierce 1-4, R; Blake Christopher 2-4, R; Dylan White 2-4, R, RBI, 2B; Sam Jones 1-3, RBI; McKinley LaFore 2-3, 2R.

Skvyiew

Pitching — Adam Walker 5 IP, 6K, W; Sam Pritchard 2 IP, 3K, SV; Highlights — Jake Dennis 1-3, R, RBI; Jordan Freese 1-3, RBI, 3B; Curtis Perrin 2-3, R, 2 RBI; James Brooks, 1-4, 2 RBI; Alec Chaney 2-3, RBI; Brooks Hanson 2-4, 2 R; Avery Schmidt 1-2, R.

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