This may be the year for Port Of Los Angeles High baseball.

With two-time defending CIF-Los Angeles City Section Small Schools champion Community Harvest of Los Angeles disbanding their whole baseball program, the Polar Bears have been looking forward to seize the moment after blowing a one-run lead against their nemesis in last year's semifinals, leaving with a disappointing 4-3 loss.

POLA would take their first step by clinching their first Crosstown League championship with a 10-2 win over visiting Bright Star of Los Angeles at Henderson Field in San Pedro.

Senior outfielder Joey Santa Maria hit a double and had 2 RBIs, while junior pitcher Chris Marshall hurled a four-hitter with eight strikeouts and two walks for the Polar Bears (15-4 overall, 11-1 league), who started off the year losing their first three games, then piling on a 13-game winning streak, leading them to their first Crosstown League title after placing third a season ago.

Currently ranked No.1 in the City Section Division III poll by MaxPreps.com, the Polar Bears stand a good chance to garner the top seed of the Division III playoffs as the seeding meeting will be held on Saturday.

(Note: Photo courtesy of POLA High School Baseball on Facebook)