CAMAS — Playoff baseball video games are sometimes determined by skinny margins. Few groups are extra well-versed in these conditions than the Camas Papermakers.
Camas clinched its fifth consecutive Class 4A state playoff berth with a 3-1 win over Curtis to open the 4A bi-district playoffs at dwelling Tuesday.
Backed by an hermetic protection, Camas beginning pitcher Sawyer Clifton outdueled Curtis starter Cooper Hordyk, holding the Vikings to 1 hit over seven innings full, whereas the Papermakers capitalized with runners in scoring place, led by Matthew Manjooran’s two RBI.
No. 2 seed Camas superior to the bi-district semifinals Saturday at Kent Memorial Area, the place it would face No. 3 Sumner.
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“Playoff baseball, you’re not going to score a lot of runs,” Camas coach Stephen Brief mentioned. “You get three against a really good arm, play really good defense and have an effort like we got on the mound … Sawyer’s been outstanding for us, the defense was excellent today and the guys that we needed to produce the most did.”
The Papermakers gave the ball to Clifton, a junior who transferred to Camas from Seton Catholic this yr, and the right-handed pitcher rose to the event in a giant spot.
Clifton completed with six strikeouts, held Curtis with out a hit till the seventh inning and noticed the Vikings rating their lone run within the third inning after a Camas error led to a Parker Mady game-tying sacrifice fly.
“It meant a lot,” Clifton mentioned. “I knew this last week of practice I had to focus in, dial up in all my bullpens, every day I threw I was dialed in. I knew my outfield has me, one of the best outfields in the state, infield played amazing today. I trusted my defense, (threw) strikes and (got) guys out.”
Going through Curtis starter Hordyk, a extremely environment friendly sophomore who had allowed simply two walks this season coming into Tuesday, the Papermakers took benefit when alternatives offered themselves.
With two outs within the backside of the third, Anthony Forner acquired on base on account of a catcher’s interference known as in opposition to Curtis, then stole second to get in scoring place.
Manjooran ripped a line-drive double down the left discipline line to drive in Forner for his second RBI of the sport. Bryce Stevens tacked on an RBI single to offer the Papermakers a two-run lead that stood for the rest of the sport.
“I think we set the tone early,” Manjooran mentioned. “Sawyer came in, set the tone, and from there on it was just a lot of energy. I think we came in with a lot of intent today.”
Clifton labored round a Micah Yanos base hit within the seventh with a fly out and floor out to finish the sport, sealing the Papermakers’ fifth straight state berth, a streak that spans the Papermakers’ senior class of seven’s whole highschool careers.
“I think that’s the expectation coming in every offseason, and we strive every day to make that happen,” mentioned Manjooran, a senior, of reaching state.
After successful the 4A Higher St. Helens League title two weeks in the past and clinching a state berth Tuesday, the Papermakers know from previous expertise {that a} deep run within the 4A bi-district match can result in a better seed and an opportunity to host a state regional the next weekend.
The Papermakers have a possibility to bolster their résumé Saturday, with first pitch in opposition to Sumner slated for 1 p.m.
“This doesn’t have to be the last home game, was kind of my (post-game) message,” Brief mentioned. “We are a regional site, and if you go and win this bi-district tournament, arguably the toughest bi-district tournament in the state … I think that gives us a good shot at hosting a regional. That needs to be our mindset — we’re going in there to play not just for seeding, but to win the thing.”
CAMAS 3, CURTIS 1
Curtis 001 000 0—1 1 1
Camas 102 000 x—3 7 1
Curtis
Pitching — Cooper Hordyk 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 Okay, 2 BB. Highlights — Parker Mady RBI, SB; Micah Yanos 1-3; Bradley Dinelt R.
Camas
Pitching — Sawyer Clifton 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 Okay, 2 BB. Highlights — Cade Lukens R, SB; Anthony Forner R, SB; Matthew Manjooran 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Bryce Stevens 1-3, RBI; Charlie Barr 1-2; Jared Forner 2-3; Cai Davis 1-2.
