AREA HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK / BASEBALL

Kennedy High is like a racehorse that thrives on running in the back of the pack until the final turn, when it starts a furious rally to overtake the field.

The Golden Cougars had a miserable start this season, opening 2-6-1. They were 1-2 in the Valley Mission League after a loss to Monroe on March 28.

But with pitchers Tim St. Pierre and Danny Mata leading the way, Kennedy (11-7-1, 5-2) has won nine of its last 10 games and pulled into a first-place tie with San Fernando.

Shortstop Juan Sepulveda has made two errors all season, and first baseman Jon McKim has helped the Golden Cougars’ hitting attack as a reliable leadoff batter.

“[McKim] has been the key,” Coach Manny Alvarado said. “He’s getting on base two or three times a game.”

Mata, who stepped in for an injured Adam Geery the first week in April, has provided exceptional pitching, allowing one earned run in 28 2/3 innings.

Everything turned around for Kennedy after the loss to Monroe.

“There was a sense of urgency,” Alvarado said. “We had some soul-searching.”

*

Sophomore shortstop Jimmy Rohan of Valencia was chosen most valuable player of the Babe Herman tournament last week because of his defense and game-winning hit in the eighth inning that gave the Vikings a 6-5 victory over Chaffey in the final.

“He played unbelievable defense,” Coach Jared Snyder said.

*

As part of a class project, Alec Moss and Jonathon Brewster of Notre Dame are seeking donations of used baseball equipment to send to children in Nicaragua for Operation USA. They will pick up the equipment.

Information: (818) 986-3394.

*

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Joe Guntz of Chatsworth is 6-0 with a 1.83 earned-run average, but his most impressive statistic is seven pickoffs. He has one of the best moves in the region.

During the summer, Mata reached first three times against Guntz and was picked off each time.

“I think [Guntz] walked Danny on purpose to pick him off,” Alvarado said.

*

Chaminade’s 5-3 victory over Crespi in Mission League play last week was a breakthrough for a young Eagles team.

“We’ve been so close to defeating a good team,” Coach Scott Drootin said. “We could have beaten Westlake, we could have beaten Valencia. We finally proved we could beat a good team.”

Sophomore left-hander Bobby Paschal pitched and hit the Eagles (11-5) to victory. Another player who came through was senior third baseman Justin Shore. He was bombarded with wise-cracks from Crespi fans earlier in the week after committing an error in a loss. But he contributed two hits Friday.

On Saturday, in a 36-1 victory over Morningside, Jonathan Higashi and Jimmy Rapoport each hit grand slams in the same inning.

*

Fourteen area teams will compete this week in the Bishop Gorman tournament in Las Vegas. The best opening game matchup has Highland and El Camino Real facing off at 9 a.m. Thursday in a rematch of an early-season game won by the Conquistadores.

Chatsworth also is in Las Vegas, so don’t be surprised if the Chancellors (13-1-1) bump into their friends from El Camino Real (13-2). But everyone has been told to keep their mouths shut, because the two teams are on a collision course to meet next Tuesday in a West Valley League game at El Camino Real, the first of three regular-season games between the two City Section powers.