Brett Kennedy Leads AC to Memorable Win

Baseball season’s Opening Day is known as a time when hope springs eternal. Though select teams may be coined “contenders” or cast as “rebuilding” ball clubs, it’s impossible to know exactly how things are going to shake out before the first pitch has even been uncorked.

In Monday’s matchup between Holy Spirit and Atlantic City, all bets were off.

Led by a masterful performance from senior pitcher Brett Kennedy, Atlantic City opened the 2012 season by stunning the Spartans, 5-0, on the road. Holy Spirit, a perennial Cape-Atlantic League powerhouse and South Jersey title favorite, managed just two base hits against Atlantic City’s right-handed hurler.

“This starts us off right,” Kennedy said. “Hopefully we can reach the postseason for the first time [in 12 seasons].”

The program’s playoff drought is exactly why Monday’s season-opening victory was so special for second-year head coach Brent Bean’s team. Atlantic City spent recent years dwelling in the basement of CAL standings and no one on the Vikings’ current roster had ever experienced a win against Holy Spirit.

On Monday, Bean’s boys managed to take down the Spartans on their home turf. Holy Spirit opened the season on Saturday, March 31 with a 4-3 victory over Mainland.

Bean addressed his squad on Sunday evening, while hosting a team dinner.

“I told the guys how exciting it is to start the season with a game against your rival,” Bean explained. “I just asked them to embrace the moment and let their emotions come out. They showed that against Holy Spirit and played with a lot of heart and effort.”

Kennedy set the tone early and refused to loosen control throughout the contest.

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This article was written by our 97.3 ESPN High School Insider and host of the “South Jersey Sports Report,” Tyler Donohue.  You can follow him on twitter (@shorenewssports) for the latest CAL HS Sports coverage and listen to him Saturday from 9-11am on the South Jersey Sports Report.