PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Kennedy’s Gugert Makes Up for His Error With a Key Hit

Kennedy second baseman Ted Gugert didn’t have to wait long for a chance to atone for a costly mistake Wednesday afternoon.

Gugert’s throwing error on a play at home plate enabled La Quinta to break a scoreless tie and take a 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning. But Gugert had a key hit in the bottom of the inning, helping Kennedy escape with a 2-1 Freeway League victory at Kennedy High.

“Ted works as hard as anyone I’ve ever had here at Kennedy,” Fighting Irish Coach Chris Pascal said. “The baseball gods smiled on him today.”

Kennedy pitcher Chris Clark, who led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt three times previously, doubled to left-center to lead off the seventh. Gugert stepped to the plate and singled to left, driving in Clark and tying the score. Gugert then scored the winning run on R.J. Gonzalez’s two-out sinking line drive to right that dropped for a base hit.

“I was a little disappointed with myself,” Gugert said. “This was my chance to make up for it. I got my pitch and hit it through the hole.”

Chad Leckie scored the go-ahead run for La Quinta after doubling over the head of center fielder Scott Jones and taking third on Jimmy Livernois’ sacrifice bunt. With the infield drawn in, Gugert took Zane Parkin’s soft grounder and threw the ball past catcher Devon Underwood, allowing Leckie to score.

Kennedy (10-3, 4-1 in league) got a solid effort from Clark, who allowed four hits, struck out four and walked none. Livernois kept La Quinta (9-5-1, 3-3) in contention by stifling Kennedy’s offense until the seventh inning. He struck out six and walked seven, two of them intentionally.