Quick work on the mound is nothing new for Skyview’s Daniel Copeland.
It was evident Friday night at Propstra Stadium, needing just 89 pitches for his second straight complete-game effort.
But speed on the base paths? Yep, he’s got that, too.
“That big stride helps,” senior Michael Lundgren said.
And that’s why it was no surprise to his Storm teammates Copeland touched home in 14 seconds when his sixth-inning single to center field turned into head coach Seth Johnson waving Copeland home.
“I don’t like to stop running when I get started,” Copeland said. “I’m glad he (Johnson) sent me. “It worked out for the best.”
It worked out to a 6-2 victory for Skyview over Camas, putting the Storm alone in first place in the 4A Greater St. Helens League in a battle of the league’s leaders.
Copeland, Lundgren and catcher Michael Hickey accounted for six of the team’s eight hits to move to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in league play to end the first third of the 4A GSHL slate of games.
And as for Copeland’s pitching, he was equally efficient as his base running. He allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out a season-high 11 Camas batters. Copeland retired the first 10 batters he faced, and needed just four pitches to get through the third.
The two teams, both debuting this week in the Class 4A top 10 rankings, originally were scheduled to play Monday, but a rainout pushed the game back four days. That gave Copeland a full five days rest from when he threw a complete-game six hitter last Saturday in a 5-3 win over Union.
A blessing in disguise — the rain, that is — in some ways.
“I felt great,” Copeland said. “My teammates put me in a great opportunity to be successful. … I have my guys to thank for that game.”
The offense did work early, too. Skyview led 4-0 after two innings, getting RBI hits from No. 9 hitter Noah Guyette followed by Lundgren. Three of the four runs came with two outs.
That proved to be more than enough, as Copeland retired Camas (5-2, 2-1) in order in four of the first five innings and sat at 49 pitches through five. Two of his three hits allowed came in the sixth when Luke Bruno’s RBI double cut Skyview’s lead to 4-2.
Lundgren’s seen the best from Copeland, such as clutch situations in Skyview’s run to the Class 4A state semifinals and third-place state finish last spring.
What’s more impressive from Friday, he added, is there was plenty more in the tank.
“He had a great game,” Lundgren said, “and he’s got even more in him. “He was efficient as you can get.
“You can’t get much better than that.”
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SKYVIEW 6, CAMAS 2
Camas 000 101 0—2 3 5
Skyview 040 002 x—6 8 2
Camas
Pitching — Ryan Behnke 5.2 IP (L), 8 H, 2 ER, 5 K; Highlights — Trevor Bentley 1-3, R; Luke Bruno 1-3, RBI; Grant Heiser 1-3, RBI.
Skyview
Pitching — Daniel Copeland 7 IP (W), 3 H, 11 K; Highlights — Copeland 2-4, R, RBI; Michael Lundgren 2-4, 2 RBI; Noah Guyette 1-3, R, RBI; Michael Hickey 2-4, R; Griffin Sissel 1-2, 2 R.
