Game 1 vs. Loganville - Wednesday, October 23rd
If you enjoy action packed, thrilling, on your feet, fast pitch softball, then the Cambridge Lady Bears vs. Loganville Red Devils games on Wednesday night were just what the doctor ordered.
In the "Sweet 16" round of the Georgia State Tournament, our Lady Bears lost a heart breaker 2-1 in a game that went extra innings on Wednesday afternoon. It was another great night on the mound by freshman pitcher, Keara Napoli, who only gave up 4 hits. It was a defensive game through 3 1/2 innings, but a costly error by the Bears in the bottom of the 4th put a runner in scoring position who eventually scored after a bunt and a short fly hit to left field.
The Red Devils had 2 sharp raps in the bottom of the 5th for what appeared to be sure base hits, but Keara Napoli snagged one down the middle, and Lauren Stewart chased down a fly to the gap to make the catch. The Bears continued to battle in this 1- 0 game, and in the Top of the 7th, Keara got on base and Diggy Dixon's bunt moved her into scoring position. Bella Bravo then placed a nice fly ball just out of the reach of the 2nd baseman scoring Keara and tying the game at 1 apiece. Napoli then struck out 3 in a row in the bottom of the 7th, sending the game into the International Tie-Break 8th inning.
With Mariah Kubik at 2nd base, Abigail Wilson was out on a pop fly bunt, followed by walks for Lauren Stewart and Maria Lay. After a fly out by, Keara fired a shot to the 2nd baseman in what appeared to be a hard to handle hit, but was called out on a very close play at 1st sending the game to the bottom of the 8th still tied. With the tie-break runner at 2nd, the Bears managed to field a fly ball, then a strike out, but with 2 outs, the Red Devils fired a line drive to center scoring the winning run. Final score 2 - 1. Loganville wins.
Game 2 vs. Loganville - Wednesday, October 23rd
It was "do or die" for the Cambridge Lady Bears in Game 2 of the "Sweet 16" Tournament play at Loganville on Wednesday evening.
After the Bears lost Game 1 in a heart-breaking 2-1 battle, they had to win Game 2 to stay alive. But, the Loganville Red Devils would have nothing of it, and scored in the top of the 2nd. After another costly error by the Bears in the Top of the 2nd, another line drive to center scored a run and the Devils took a 1-0 lead.
Keeping the Bears scoreless, the Red Devils put up another run in the 3rd with a hit down the right field line. The Lady Bears were not going down easy. After leaving bases loaded in the bottom of the 4th, the Bears got re-energized in the 5th. Diggy Dixon took a long ball to the left center fence for a double, followed by a hit down the 3rd base line by Courtney Campbell. The Bears managed to score the tying run and leave one base runner. After 6 1/2 innings, the Bears were faced with a do or die situation trailing by 1 run.
The Bears made it interesting by drawing a walk for Diggy Dixon, and Courtney Campbell's sacrifice bunt put Diggy in scoring position at 2nd base. But the next two batters, Bella Bravo and Mariah Kubik were not able to generate a hit, and for the 4th year in a row, the Loganville Lady Red Devils were headed back to the State's "Elite 8" by defeating our Lady Bears 2-1.
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Head Coach Chip Flemmer worked with this team for the first time this year. He is congratulating the Cambridge Lady Bears Softball team for such a successful season. "The girls finished the season with a 21-9 record and an appearance in the State Tournament's Sweet 16 only to come up just a little short against perennial powerhouse Loganville.
"This is a group of young ladies that you will want to follow for the next several years! I hope the girls don't forget that feeling of disappointment after being eliminated to motivate them to work hard this off-season to prepare for next season." Flemmer added the Lady Bears had excellent pitching as well as a solid defense this past season. "The team's offense proved on several occasions that they could be equally impressive."
Flemmer says they will lose one senior this year, who is Maria Lay. "Maria has been a solid leader this season, and I really appreciate the example she has set for the younger players. She will really be missed!"
Congratulations to our Cambridge Lady Bears on an outstanding season!