No rust for Flintridge Prep baseball in 12-2 win
GLENDALE — It had been nearly two weeks since the Flintridge Prep baseball team had taken the field.
Might there be a cause for concern about physical rust or mental distractions impeding the team’s progress?
“That was a big worry for me,” said Flintridge Coach Guillermo Gonzalez. “We didn’t practice during spring break. They came out ready to play today.”
After 13 days away from the diamond because of spring break and a canceled game, the Rebels dominated Rio Hondo Prep, 12-2, in a Prep League game Thursday at the Glendale Sports Complex.
Obviously, the Rebels didn’t miss a beat.
“Basically, we try to take what we had before our break, and keep that same fire and same passion,” Flintridge Prep starting pitcher Brenden McKiernan said.
Teammate Karlsen Termini added that the physical part of baseball comes naturally.
“Mentally, just not getting out of the zone,” Termini said. “We’ve been working for a while. It’s kind of second nature to us. It’s mostly the mental side of things.”
Termini, McKiernan and the rest of the Rebels were clearly in the zone on Thursday. Flintridge Prep jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and added two more runs in the second for an early 5-1 lead.
The Rebels’ big inning came from a five-run fifth, capped by a two-run single from Cole Pilar. The 10-run mercy rule was enforced after the Rebels went up, 12-2, in the sixth.
McKiernan allowed two runs off five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out five.
“He was great,” Gonzalez said. “He came out great, throwing strikes, hitting spots.”
McKiernan was quick to credit his infield, and appreciated the large cushion.
“It’s comforting to know you have that big lead, but you don’t want to get too comfortable because then it will start to fall apart,” McKiernan said. “It’s just trying to find that right balance. Trying to stay relaxed but also trying to get the outs.”
A parade of Rebels had big days on Thursday. Termini finished with a double, two singles, three runs batted in and a run scored. Daniel Enzminger finished with a triple, two singles and three runs scored.
With the win, Flintridge Prep improves to 8-4 and 2-1 in Prep League.
The Rebels play at Rio Hondo again on Friday.
“Every win’s a win,” Termini said. “You’ve got to keep on pushing. All the other teams are trying to bust their hump out there too. You’ve just got to keep pace, keep it up, keep it going.”