Kennedy Grows Up Fast in Upset Over Banning

Apparently Kennedy High is a young team unwilling to wait for next year.

The Golden Cougars, who start three sophomores and a freshman, eliminated No. 2-seeded Banning from the City Championship baseball playoffs with a 10-9 quarterfinal victory Thursday at Banning.

Kennedy (18-15) showed poise and determination in a hostile setting, dominating the first six innings and surviving a near-disastrous seventh.

With Kennedy leading, 10-3, Banning scored six runs in the seventh before Juan Sepulveda struck out Marco Barrero to end the game.

Kennedy will play Poly in a semifinal Tuesday at a site to be determined.

Banning fans pelted Kennedy players with insults, but the Pilots (27-6) made little noise on the field until the seventh. Three Banning pitchers allowed 13 hits and two baserunners were thrown out at home.

“The youngsters showed a lot of grit to come in and win in this yard,” Kennedy Coach Manny Alvarado said.

Kennedy came up with big plays when needed.

Freshman third baseman Adam Geery made a diving stop of a grounder in the seventh, and he threw out Frank Perez with a relay to the plate, ending a three-run Banning rally in the third.

Alex Avlas led Kennedy with three hits and Jeremy Serr hit a two-run home run in the third.