Kennedy’s baseball players have some fun during a CIF playoff game. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Kennedy High’s baseball players and coaches are looking forward to their big day on Saturday as the Fighting Irish go for their second CIF title.
Kennedy will take on Sonora (20-8) in the CIF Division 4 championship game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at UC Riverside’s Sports Complex.
“We are happy and proud to be in the championship game,” said Kennedy Coach Tom Monahan. “We worked hard to get to this point. All along we felt confident if we made playoffs we would make a run at the championship. We are ready for this.”
Kennedy won its only CIF title in 1989. The Fighting Irish, coached by Chris Pascal, defeated Saugus 1-0 in nine innings.
“That was the only time in the championship,” Monahan said.
Kennedy (25-9) advanced to the championship game with a 6-4 victory over Summit on the road Tuesday.
“The semifinal game was a battle,” Monahan said. “We did a great job being aggressive and getting the lead early. At the end we showed our fight and competitiveness to hold on and come away with the victory.”
Sonora is out to win the school’s first CIF title since 1995 when it captured the Division II crown. Sonora also won the CIF 2A title in 1972 and lost in the 2A finals in 1973.
Coach Richard Lodding’s team has been outstanding in the playoffs outscoring opponents 26-6. The Raiders knocked off Canyon Springs 6-5 in the semifinals to advance to the title game.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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