Camas captures 4A GSHL baseball title with a sweep

The Camas baseball team came into the week knowing there was little room for error.

So the Papermakers left little room for doubt.

Sparked by some early rallies and the solid pitching of junior Charlie Barr, Camas rolled past Skyview 8-1 on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep of the Storm.

Coupled with Battle Ground’s 5-1 win over Union, Camas found itself alone atop the 4A Greater St. Helens League standings as league champions.

“I think we knew we were the best team in this league,” senior infielder Matt Manjooran said. “We knew we had a bad week last week. (We got) a little help from Battle Ground and then we came in here and swept this Skyview team. … This was what our hard work was for.”

Two losses last week to rival Union put Camas in a tight spot. The Papermakers could only focus on what they could do, and that was beat Skyview. Camas outscored Skyview 29-6 in the three-game sweep.

Camas came into Thursday tied with Union at 5-3 atop the 4A GSHL standings. When the Titans fell to Battle Ground, it left Camas alone in first at 6-3.

“It means everything to us,” Barr said. “We knew we had to sweep Skyview. We knew we had to work hard all week. After a hard loss against Union, we had to come back. And we just executed.”

Barr gave himself a little offensive support in the first inning, driving in Cade Lukens and Manjooran with a two-run single.

Manjooran had a two-run single as part of a four-run second inning as the Papermakers pushed their lead to 6-0.

Barr then kept the Storm quiet, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk.

“We were super-confident,” Manjooran said of Barr. “We knew he was going to pound the zone, get guys out. They had the bases loaded and no one out, and just went 1-2-3. So it’s a lot of confidence. We play out there fast, play fun.”

Camas coach Stephen Short said the Papermakers are not fully healthy, particularly on the mound. But his team found a way this week.

“We had Sawyer (Clifton) giving us his best start of the year on Monday, and then we got the same thing from Barr today,” Short said. “Another great start when we needed it the most. Credit goes to the players.”

And the Papermakers got production again from up-and-down the lineup. On Thursday, eight different Papermakers collected hits with Barr, Anthony Forner and Cai Davis getting two hits each.

“It just makes feel so comfortable because I also know I’ve got a great outfield out there that’s going to make plays,” Barr said. “When my offense scores runs for me, I just relax and feel like I can just do what I do.”

With nearly two weeks until the start of the bi-district playoffs, there is time for the Papermakers to heal up and keep rolling.

“I think we finished on a good note, but we’re not done yet,” Manjooran said. “We’re looking to play into late May, so it’s just started.”