By Ted Apodaca

Kennedy High’s baseball team opened Empire League play last week, splitting two games against Western High. The Fighting Irish dropped a nine-inning game to the Pioneers, 5-4, but bounced back on Friday with a 3-1 win at Western High.

Kennedy sophomore Sam Moctezuma pitched a complete game, allowing just one run, while striking our seven. Western had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, but the Fighting Irish rallied in the top of the fourth.

Senior outfielder Katsu Yoshida drove in all three runs with a bases loaded triple that set up Kennedy for the eventual win. Senior Isaiah Martinez had a hit and a run, while Jacob Marcroft and Tyler Beckler each added hits.

On April 11, the Fighting Irish had a 4-2 lead going into the sixth inning, before Western rallied for two in the sixth to eventually send the game into extra innings. The Pioneers got a single, walk and RBI single in the top of the ninth and held on for the win at Kennedy. Martinez had a hit, run and two RBIs for the Kennedy, while Yoshida and Eric Morales also drove in runs.

Kennedy fell to Tustin, 5-1, at Tustin on Wednesday. The fighting Irish (1-2) will try to event the series today at 3:15 p.m. at home against the Tillers.

Next week, Kennedy and rival Cypress will play on Wednesday at Cypress and Friday at Kennedy. Both games are scheduled for 3:15 p.m.