Kendrena Goes the Distance

Ten years ago, Kenny Kendrena was the losing pitcher when Cal State Northridge came within three outs of reaching the College World Series.

With his Bishop Amat High baseball team one victory away from reaching Dodger Stadium, Kendrena finally told his players the story of coming up short.

“It took nine years to get over it,” he said.

The Lancers (26-2) helped their 30-year-old coach exorcise some demons Tuesday with a 7-1 victory over Chaminade in a Southern Section Division IV semifinal at Birmingham High, earning a trip to Saturday’s 10 a.m. final against Ridgecrest Burroughs at Dodger Stadium.

“This is as good as it gets,” said Kendrena, who pitched Northridge to NCAA playoff berths in 1991 and 1992. “We’ve been hoping to play for all the marbles. I enjoy being here immensely. It really reminds me a lot of the Northridge group.”

Kendrena was on the mound when Fresno State scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 West Regional II victory in 1991.

He had only one day off after pitching Northridge past Miami.

“Those teams at Northridge were incredible,” he said. “We’ve all stayed friends. It was an amazing group of guys.”

The same can be said of Bishop Amat, ranked No. 1 in the state. Junior pitcher Adam Simon (10-1) was close to unbeatable. Throwing a 90-mph fastball and a sweeping curveball, he dominated Chaminade (25-4) with a three-hitter and eight strikeouts.

“That pitcher is unbelievable, probably one of the best high school pitchers I’ve seen,” Chaminade Coach Scott Drootin said.

Bobby Paschal (12-1) gave up seven hits and seven runs in six innings.

Paschal, who walked six, struggled when the umpire refused to call strikes on his outside pitches.

“He was very inconsistent,” Paschal said of the umpire.

The Eagles became so frustrated that center fielder Erik Johnson was ejected after striking out on a called third strike in the fifth. He and another player, Cody Haerther, accused the umpire of using profanity.

Bishop Amat got a three-run double in the third inning from No. 9 hitter Alex Ramos and a two-run double in the fifth from cleanup batter Anthony Hidalgo.

Win or lose Saturday, Kendrena is enjoying an unforgettable third season as coach. His wife, Sandra, is expecting twins in November.

He never made it to the major leagues as a player, but getting to coach at Dodger Stadium is fine.

“It’s just as thrilling,” he said.