Kendall’s Hitting Streak Ends at a State-Record 43 Games

Torrance High senior Jason Kendall, whose state-record hitting streak ended at 43 games last weekend, started another one Wednesday to help the Tartars defeat South Torrance, 8-2, in a Pioneer League baseball game at South.

Kendall tripled, singled and walked twice as Torrance improved to 6-6 overall and 4-1 in league play. South dropped to 1-2 in league play.

Todd Reinert drove in two runs for Torrance and right-hander Ralph Martinez, making only his second start of the season, pitched a complete game to improve to 2-0.

Kendall’s hitting streak, which began late in his sophomore season, came to an end Saturday when he went 0-for-2 in a nine-inning, 2-1 victory over Gahr of Cerritos in the consolation quarterfinals of the Redondo tournament. He was walked three times, twice intentionally.

Kendall’s 43-game hitting streak tied the national high school record set in 1980 by a player in Iowa, according to Torrance Coach Jeff Phillips.

A three-year starter, Kendall has hit safely in 65 of 67 varsity games.