SV keeps producing pitching
CRANBERRY TWP — The Seneca Valley baseball team keeps churning out good pitchers.
Nick Kendrick is the latest example.
The SV graduate will attend George Mason University on a scholarship after compiling a 7-1 record and helping the Raiders to the WPIAL Quad A playoffs this past spring.
"He pitched exceptionally well in every game he played in for us," said SV coach Eric Semega. "He worked on his curveball in the offseason and that was probably his best pitch this spring."
GMU is a Division I school located in Fairfax, Va. The Patriots compete in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
During Kendrick's sophomore and junior seasons of high school, the Raiders' starting rotation was dominated by Cory Mazzoni (now at North Carolina State) and Kyle Helisek (Villanova).
"It was a bit frustrating, but I knew I would see more playing time and get more experience on the junior varsity team," said Kendrick.
Kendrick, a 6-feet-7 left-hander, also played fall baseball for the Allegheny Pirates in 2008.
George Mason pitching coach Stephen Hay first noticed Kendrick at a baseball showcase last summer.
"The first thing I noticed was his size," Hay said of Kendrick. "He's a tall lefty and you don't get the chance to see that type of player too often."
Kendrick signed before the Raiders' season began, which would take a load off any high school athlete's shoulders.
"I really didn't feel much pressure, aside from just wanting to do well for my team," he said of the 2009 season.
Kendrick's pitches include a fastball — which has been clocked at 88 mph — a curveball and change-up.
"There's a few things with his mechanics that we will work on, but the velocity is there," Hay said.
Kendrick, who resides in Cranberry Township, also considered Duquesne, Penn State, Maryland, Youngstown State and the University of Buffalo.
"I wanted to play Division I and I liked the fact that George Mason is south of here," he said, referring to better weather, which means more baseball. "My goal is to become the number one pitcher on the team."
And that may just be what the Patriots have in mind. As for Kendrick's freshman season next year ...
"He should be able to come in and compete for a weekday (against non-conference foes) starting spot," said Hay. "And there will be the opportunity to come in out of the bullpen."
George Mason is coming off a 42-14 season in which the team finished atop the CAA's regular season standings before losing to UNC-Wilmington in the conference semifinals.
When next spring rolls around, Bill Brown will be in his 30th campaign as the team's head coach. He is the program's all-time leader in wins with more than 750.
