Coming in to Friday's contest against North Atlanta, Cambridge held a one game lead in the loss column in region play.  Thanks to outstanding pitching and a handful of huge and timely hits, they retained that lead with their third region win in as many days.

 

Evan Pollifrone got the start looking for his third win on the season.  He was nothing short of brilliant on the evening, controlling the game throughout and making huge pitch after huge pitch.  Cambridge wasted a Ross Friedrck double to left in the top of the first, while Pollifrone set the tone early by striking out the big three North Atlanta hitters in order in the bottom of the inning.

 

The Bears offense struck first in the second.  Nicholas Armstrong got things going with a two-out double to right center.  Matt Faby then lined a single into center driving in Armstrong for the first run of the game.  Hot-hitting Johnny Eneberg then launched a triple over the head of the right fielder, pushing the score to 2-0.  An errant pick-off allowed Eneberg to score and the inning ended 3-0 in favor of the visitors.

 

Pollifrone continued to cruise in innings two and three.  Cambridge threatened in the fourth after a Jared Spears single and a Faby walk, but could push nothing across.  A pair of doubles in the bottom of the fourth closed the gap to 3-1 after four.

 

The Bears quickly got that run back in the fifth after Mitch Fleming doubled to the wall in right center, driving in Cody Rech who had previously doubled to left.  North Atlanta used three hits in the bottom of the fifth to get a run back, but Pollifrone buckled down to record his eleventh strikeout of the evening to leave the bases loaded.

 

The Bears loaded the bases in the sixth without the benefit of a hit, but could not score.  Michael Polk entered the mound for Pollifrone in the sixth and promptly struck out the side in order.  Polk would make it five in a row in the seventh before coaxing a ground out with a man on to end the game and secure the Cambridge 4-2 victory.

 

The Cambridge offense generated four extra base hits among its seven total.  Eneberg had a triple, while Rech, Fleming and Friedrick all had doubles.  Pollifrone secured his third win, going five innings while allowing two runs with eleven strikeouts.  Polk recorded his third save of the season, working two scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

 

First-place Cambridge concludes region play with three games the week of April 15th.  The first game is senior night at home Monday, April 15th against Northview.  Game time is 5:55 PM, but come early to help celebrate the Cambridge seniors.

 

Go Bears!