The goal this season for Golden Valley head coach Marc Kennedy is to lead this year’s Grizzlies to the playoffs and become the first team in program history to do so. And after a 10-0 home win over the visiting Sun Valley Magnet Pioneers, Kennedy believes the Grizzlies are one step closer.
“We did what needed to be done and understood coming into the game who the opponent was going to be,” Kennedy said. “So, the message was pretty clear. We’re going to go play baseball — 3-0 is the goal and we’re starting the year off strong.”
With the 10 runs scored over five innings, Kennedy got to make changes throughout his lineup and bring in players who normally wouldn’t get playing time.
“We had a chance to get some guys in that that may not normally get some innings or some at bats down the road,” he said. “So, it’s really good to see those guys contribute, feel like they’re a part of this whole thing and go help us win a game.”
One of Golden Valley’s (3-0) biggest performers was junior Aiden Kane, who went 2-for-3 and tallied two runs batted in along with a double and triple.
On the mound, it was Chris Medina’s day for the Grizzlies as he made his return to pitching after battling an injury last season, said Kennedy.
Medina threw four innings and recorded two strikeouts, allowed four hits, and ended the day as the winning pitcher.
Kennedy added it was great to see him back on the mound, and that Medina will be an arm he can rely on in the rotation who will throw for several innings.
“He’s worked his tail off to get where he’s at, and he’ll be a good piece for us down the road out of the bullpen where we can sandwich him in between some harder-throwing guys,” he said. “So, I’m really happy for him and really happy to see him get out there and get his first win. He’s been itching for this day.”
Medina was relieved after four innings by Rocky Reyes, who tallied two strikeouts in the fifth inning to close out the game for the win over Sun Valley Magnet (0-2).
The Grizzlies won the game via the 10-run mercy rule and began the year 3-0 for the first time since the 2023 season.
The win is one of many Kennedy hopes to achieve in the non-league portion of the year as he believes the momentum the Grizzles achieve can translate onto the Foothill League season.
“For the position that we’re in, our non-league wins are almost as important as our league wins,” he said. “With how the competitive equity system works with the playoffs now, our goal is to be the first team to make the dance at this school. So, every win matters whether that’s a team from San Fernando or a team from across the street. We’re chasing wins so we can have that .500 record at the end of the year.”
The Grizzlies play again on the road at Vasquez High School against the Vasquez Mustangs of Acton with the game set to begin at 3 p.m. Friday.
