Kennedy advances to semifinals for the first time in 30 years, defeating Loara 5-0

Kennedy’s Wyatt Johnson delivers a pitch in Friday’s CIF playoff game (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

At stake during Friday’s CIF Division 4 quarterfinal playoff baseball game at Kennedy High was not only a trip to the semifinals but also the coveted neighborhood bragging rights to the winner between Loara and Kennedy.

Fighting Irish right-hander Wyatt Johnson struck out 11 and threw a complete 3-hit shutout as Kennedy defeated the Saxons 5-0 to advance to next Tuesday’s semifinal to play the winner of the Summit/Mary Star game.

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For the Fighting Irish (24-9), who finished second in the Empire League, it marks their first appearance in a semifinal game since 1989 and to defeat their local rival made it extra special. 

Johnson, a junior, was dominant throughout the game. He also had two hits and scored a run and has amassed 102 strikeouts for the season.

“It’s been 30 years since this program has been to the semifinals,” said Johnson. “Words can’t describe how amazing it feels. Our chemistry on this team has been unbelievable. We feel if we put up 3, 4 or 5 runs on the board, we can win any game because our pitching has been so good.”

Fighting Irish coach Tom Monahan said Johnson has been the team’s ace all year.

“Wyatt has been our number one guy all season; he had a little hiccup but he was dominant,” said Monahan. “His fastball, change-up and slider were working well and he pitched efficiently.”

Pat Monroe threw well for the Saxons (19-9) but the Loara defense committed four errors and that proved too hard to overcome.

“We had an amazing season, but today we just didn’t execute our game plan,” said Monroe.  “They made more plays than we did and they stepped it up.”

Kennedy pushed across two runs in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead, courtesy of an RBI singles by Evan Anderson and Chase Leonard. Leonard had two hits, scored a run and was on base three times. But it was his and Johnson’s pick-off play in the top of the fifth that took some of the wind out of the Loara’s comeback attempt. 

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, Brian Salas reached first base for the Saxons on an infield single with two outs. Nathan Gutierrez then drew a walk. Salas was pinch run for by Alex Aluna at second base. Unfortunately for Loara, Johnson and Leonard executed a perfect pick-off play to nail Aluna at second to end the inning. 

“I noticed that he (Aluna) had just come into the game and he was taking a big lead,” said Leonard. “So, I crept up behind him and signaled Wyatt (Johnson) to run the pick of play and it worked.”

Matt Blackney took over for Loara on the mound in the fifth inning and the first three Kennedy batters reached safely to load the bases. Tyler Beckler then grounded to first but the throw to home plate was low and bounced away, allowing Johnny Soto to score. Jaelyn Edds added an RBI infield ground out as the Fighting Irish extended their lead to 4-0. 

Kennedy added a run in the sixth and Johnson put the finishes on his gem as he struck out five of Saxons final seven batters to propel the Fighting Irish into the semifinals. 

“This is really special for the players, coaches, program, fans, alums and their families,” said Monahan. “The program hasn’t had a lot of success and that’s what makes this so special.”

Loara coach Shaun Hill was gracious in defeat.

“I told our kids I was proud of them and that we had a great season,” said Hill. “We didn’t play good defense today, but these things happen in baseball. It hurt us when we made two errors early in the game and we ran into a tough pitcher.”

The Saxons, who captured the Garden Grove League title this season, were attempting to reach the semifinals for the first time since winning the CIF championship in 1983.

-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone