La Quinta’s Kennedy Warms to Task

On a cold, dark day, Ian Kennedy brought the heat.

Kennedy, a sophomore right-hander, struck out 11, all in the first five innings, then got a couple of big plays behind him in the last two innings to help La Quinta hold off Palos Verdes Peninsula, 2-1, in the championship game of the North Orange County tournament Friday at Fullerton College.

Kennedy made it look easy early on, striking out the side in the first and third innings. “I didn’t go for [strikeouts], I was just trying to make good pitches and not make mistakes,” Kennedy said.

La Quinta (5-0) took advantage of some poor fielding and pitching by Peninsula (4-1) in the second inning. An error, two walks and a hit batter helped the Aztecs push across two runs.

The Panthers got a walk and two singles for a run in the fourth, but big plays on defense in the sixth and seventh innings saved the day for La Quinta.

In the sixth, with runners on second and third and one out, Kennedy picked off Kyle Degner at third and the Aztecs caught him in the ensuing rundown. Kennedy then induced Andy Beal to hit back to the box for the final out.

In the seventh, Kennedy walked Kyle Neumeier with one out, and Jordin Gill lined a hit near the left-field line. Ryan McKernan moved quickly to pick up the ball and made a strong throw to third, where Ian Stewart tagged the sliding Neumeier for the second out. Kennedy then got Evan Sobel to pop out, ending the game.

“Our forte is pitching and defense,” Aztec assistant coach Randy Meyer said. “That was evident today.”