Kenny Gets Mad and Gets Even

The American Legion Western Regional has become the latest site of the Charles Kenny seminar for anger management.

Kalani, Hawaii, learned the hard way Friday that when Kenny gets his dander up, you better not get your curveball up.

Kenny hit a hanging full-count pitch over the left-field fence at Nevada Las Vegas to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning and give Valley Chatsworth a 9-8 victory in a game it desperately needed to maintain any hope of advancing to the World Series next week.

Only moments before the home run, Kenny allowed three runs when Kalani (15-8) overcame an 8-5 ninth-inning deficit.

“I just wanted to do something to redeem myself,” said Kenny, who allowed 17 hits in eight-plus innings.

One run scored on an error and Marc Nakasuji added a two-run home run to center field, leaving the game knotted and a frustrated Kenny fit to be tied.

“I was so mad,” said Kenny, who was replaced on the mound by Ryan Robbins (7-0), who got the side out.

“And when I get mad, I try a little harder and feel the need to tear it up.”

Kenny tore into a belt-high breaking pitch from reliever Kellen Muraoka (1-2) for his third home run and 45th run batted in of the summer.

Valley Chatsworth (37-7) will play Tucson, Ariz., today at 12:05 in the final game of pool play. A victory would likely earn it a berth in the semifinals on Sunday. A loss would probably end the season.

The regional final is scheduled for Monday night, with the World Series beginning Wednesday in Middleton, Conn.

Right-hander Scott Sellz (7-3), who has committed to Cal State Northridge, is scheduled to start against Tucson.

Valley Chatsworth, 1-1 in the tournament, lost to Las Vegas Durango, 5-4, on Thursday. Tucson lost its opener to Kalani, 7-5, on Thursday and was playing Durango late Friday night.

Must-win games have become routine for Valley Chatsworth, which improved to 8-0 while facing elimination in the playoffs.

Clutch performances also have become commonplace for Kenny, most valuable player in Chatsworth’s victory over Poly last spring in the City Championship game at Dodger Stadium.

Kenny was benched in the City semifinals, then took it out on Poly by going three for three with a triple and six runs batted in.

“He does this all the time,” shortstop Matt Fisher said. “When Charles gets upset, he gets the job done.”

Valley Chatsworth, which entered the tournament batting .374, continued to struggle offensively.

It was four for 19 with runners on base against the Hawaii state champion, but rallied from a 5-2 deficit with six runs in the eighth, when right-hander Collin Funamura unraveled.

The redshirt freshman at Hawaii-Hilo ignited the outburst by allowing the first four batters to reach base, walking two and hitting two.

Funamura was replaced by Muraoka with none out and a 5-3 lead.

Pinch hitter Gregg Wallis’ grounder went through the legs of shortstop Marcus Murakami, allowing the tying runs to score, and Fisher followed with a three-run home run for an 8-5 lead.

“Fisher’s home run was absolutely huge,” Coach Tom Meusborn said.

Fisher and pitcher-utility player Mike Kunes each had three hits against Kalani and are five for 10 in the tournament.

Brandon Tanaka had four of Kalani’s 18 hits. Nakasuji and Doug Jackson each had three.

Center fielder Jackson, bound for Brigham Young, is eight for 10 this week.