Mah Does It All for Sylmar Against Disarmed Kennedy, 8-1

Jamie Mah of Sylmar High almost single-handedly inflicted a stinging defeat on Kennedy in a Valley Mission League baseball game Monday at Sylmar.

Mah hit a three-run home run in the first inning, a two-run double in the second and pitched a complete game in Sylmar’s 8-1 victory.

Mah (2-1) struck out two, walked two and scattered eight hits.

Sylmar (7-3, 3-0 in league play) took advantage of Coach Manny Alvarado’s decision not to use Kennedy ace Adam Geery. Also unavailable to start was No. 2 pitcher Eric Moore, who has shoulder pain.

Tim St. Pierre (3-1) gave up four hits, three walks and five runs in two innings. Moore pitched two shutout innings of relief, but he was throwing mostly sidearm because of discomfort.

“Jamie took care of us from the first swing of the bat,” Alvarado said. “It wouldn’t have mattered who we threw.”

Mah is a junior shortstop who’s also Sylmar’s top pitcher. Three times he retired No. 9 hitter Isaac Montes to escape jams.

The most serious challenge came in the sixth inning. Kennedy (9-3, 2-1) loaded the bases against a tiring Mah, who threw seven consecutive balls. But Montes hit into a double play.

“He’s a player people kind of look up to,” Coach Gary Donatella said of Mah. “We expect him to perform like this.”

Said Mah: “It feels great to get a win against Kennedy. Any time you come out against a team like Kennedy, you try to do your best. All of us were focused.”