Cambridge Blues split doubleheader against Evansville

The Cambridge Blues split a doubleheader against Evansville on Sunday, July 14, winning 2-0 in the first game and losing 4-2 in extra innings in the second game at Lake Leota Park.

In the first game, JT Parish held the Jays to just two hits in the win. Parish pitched a complete game, tossing six strikeouts.

After allowing a lead-off walk to start the seventh inning, Parish retired the next two Blue Jays by strikeout. Parish then recorded a flyout to close out the shutout win.

Both of Cambridge’s runs were scored in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Owen Bernhardt scored on a double steal, stealing home, while Jake Willey stole second base.

Later in the inning, Willey scored on an RBI double from Connor O’Brien for the second run.

In the second game, Evansville scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn the 4-2 win. After the first seven innings were scoreless, the game went into extra innings with a “ghost runner” starting at second base per Home Talent League rules.

In the top of the eighth, Henry Bishop hit a sacrifice fly to score Bennett Keller for Evansville. Cambridge answered in the bottom of the eighth inning when O’Brien hit a sacrifice fly to score Jett Horton.

Cambridge, however, could not score Willey, who reached third base with one out after the flyout. Two Cambridge pop-ups kept the game tied at 1-1 and forced another inning.

With Evansville up to bat in the ninth, Carson Syse scored Trevor Syse on an RBI single to go up 2-1. Stephen Kopecky then scored on an error and a balk by Cambridge pitcher Sam Mickelson plated Carson Syse, putting Evansville up 4-1.

In the bottom of the frame, Logan Koch scored Denver Evans on an RBI single to cut the lead to 4-2. However, two pop-ups closed out the game and ended Cambridge’s nine-game win streak.

Cambridge (9-2 overall, 5-1 division) faces Utica (10-1, 6-1) at Racetrack Park in Edgerton at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21.

The Blues have three games remaining and hold a two-game lead over Jefferson for first place in the Southeast North standings.

HOME TALENT SUNDAY LEAGUE SOUTHEAST NORTH STANDINGS

- As of Sunday, July 14

1) Cambridge 9-2 overall, 5-1 division

2) Jefferson 8-4 overall, 4-3 division

3) Fort Atkinson 7-4 overall, 5-2 division

4) McFarland 3-7 overall, 2-4 division

5) Lake Mills 0-11 overall, 0-6 division