Softball: Reid’s return spells double trouble for Kennedy foes

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Elia Reid made her second start in nine games on Tuesday for La Palma Kennedy, and she made it a good one as she helped the Fighting Irish to a 4-2 Empire League victory over Garden Grove Pacifica.

Kennedy (25-3, 9-0), No. 4 in The Times’ ranking, is the top-ranked team in the Southern Section’s Division II coaches poll, which greatly influences the playoff pairings that will be released after this final week of the regular season. Pacifica (15-12, 6-3), which won last year’s title against Kennedy, is ranked No. 21 by The Times but unranked in the division.

With the league title already decided but playoff ramifications imminent, Tuesday could have been a disaster for Kennedy.

Instead, Reid had two walks and a hit -- a two-run homer -- in her second game back in the starting lineup.

She missed seven games with what Coach Jami Shannon called a hyper-extended shoulder -- suffered while playing defense against El Toro during the Michelle Carew Classic -- before subbing into a 4-2 victory last week over Cypress and then getting three hits in a 4-0 victory over Loara.

Her sister, leadoff batter Jamia Reid, had three hits against Pacifica, including a triple, and two RBIs. The sisters have signed with California.

‘It’s huge having the twins back to back,’ said Shannon, whose team allowed Pacifica two runs in the top of the first inning. ‘Having her in the lineup with her power makes the top of the lineup stronger.

‘Elia didn’t play the last time we faced Pacifica. They’re always a threat. They got ahead, 2-0, but we came back.’

It’s even better for Kennedy that Elia Reid came back in time for the playoffs.

-- Martin Henderson