CAMAS — Alexis Morrison could probably get used to this whole varsity thing.
Morrison, a freshman playing in her second varsity softball game after being called up from the JV team, hit a two-run home run off one of the hottest pitchers in the state Wednesday, leading Battle Ground to a 3-2 win over Camas in a key Class 4A Greater St. helens League matchup.
“I saw a fastball down the middle and took advantage of it,” said Morrison, who struck out in her first two at-bats before breaking a 1-all tie in the top of the sixth inning with a bomb over the center field fence.
Morrison had never before faced Camas ace Katie Schroeder. But now she and Battle Ground sophomore Haley Buck can say they have homered off of Schroeder. Buck blasted a solo shot in the first inning.
Schroeder came into the game 11-0 with a 1.02 ERA and had pitched 23 consecutive scoreless innings.
This matchup featured the two teams that represented Clark County at the Class 4A state tournament last year. Battle Ground pitcher Parker Boyd struck out 11 and got the win. Schroeder also struck out 11. Both pitchers threw four scoreless innings after each team scored a run in the first.
Battle Ground’s Destiny Davenport singled to open the sixth inning, then Morrison followed with her homer.
Camas’ Tori O’Neill opened the bottom of the sixth with a single, got to third base and then came home on a single from Schroeder.
Boyd then got the next two outs to end the sixth, and she retired the Camas bats in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Battle Ground’s win means there are now three teams with one loss in league play. Camas is 5-1, Battle Ground improved to 4-1, and Union is 3-1. (Union plays at Battle Ground on Thursday.)
The Tigers lost a game last week to Heritage that surprised just about everyone associated with the league. Including the Tigers. Boyd said it was important to respond this week against the first-place Papermakers.
“It meant a ton to be able to come back and show the program we really are. It was one bad game, but this is who we are,” Boyd said. “It’s great to see this team that is thought to be the best in our league and to beat them on their field.”
Battle Ground lost seven seniors, including six starters, off that state tourney team.
“It’s a lot to come back from, but I think we have some pretty good players,” Boyd said.
Including some youngsters who have already made a difference.
Morrison said she has no idea why she promoted to varsity.
“I don’t know. They didn’t tell me,” she said. “They just pulled me up.”
It probably had something to do with her bat, and the potential for the big hit. Two games into her varsity career, she has already delivered.
