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Kennedy seniors lead Eagles to third consecutive district title
By Cameron Billes
Wayne – Things just seemed to be easy for Taylor Kennedy starting pitcher Cody Serafin in a Division 1 district final.
Facing host Wayne Memorial (4-16-1), Serafin and Kennedy were looking to win their third consecutive district title on Friday.
“It really makes a statement as to where Kennedy baseball’s at right now,” said coach Bryan Boyd. “We really feel like the name here has been built as this is a very, very strong baseball program top to bottom.”
Serafin struck out the side in the bottom of the first, after which the Eagle offense came alive.
The Eagles (24-5) scored one run in the second inning, five in the third and seven in the sixth, highlighted by a two-out, two-run triple by second-baseman Denver Kirk.
The Eagles were led by their No. 9 hitter, Michael Jones, who finished the day 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Serafin threw a six-inning, complete game three-hitter and he struck out eight. This was the first time Serafin threw a complete game since he suffered a ruptured appendix earlier in the year.
“I really wanted to pitch a complete game though just because the district championship you really want to do that,” said Serafin. “I think we were a lot more loose in the second game. First game we were kind of tight, we were versing a really good team, so I feel like we were just really loose the second game.”
Fellow senior pitcher, Tyler Butzin, pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory against Belleville in the district semifinals.
“I mean it’s nice because you can really trust your pitchers and (Butzin) really set the tone today,” said Serafin. “He really led the team in the first game and it was my job to continue it in the second game.”
Boyd said his two top pitchers have been at the forefront all season.
“It’s been the story of our season. When we pitch and play good defense, we can beat anybody, and you saw that today,” said Boyd. “I mean we just threw 13 innings of shutout baseball from two very good senior pitchers, Tyler Butzin and Cody Serafin. They’re both great kids, they both work very hard and they both want the spotlight in the big moment, so it was fun watching them go out and have success today.”
