Kennedy gives Bucs big lift

May 3, 2016

By John Garner Jr., Cape Cod Times

Connor Kennedy was the baseball Player of the Week in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference in mid-April, and then the sophomore from West Barnstable backed it up by earning the same honor a couple of weeks later as he led red-hot Massachusetts Maritime Academy to four conference wins.

The left-handed hitting outfielder, a graduate of Pope John Paul II, batted a torrid .632 (12-19) for the week with five doubles, five RBI and 11 runs scored.

Kennedy had six hits, five runs scored and three RBI in a 9-6, 12-7 sweep at Framingham State. He also lined three hits, including pair of doubles, and scored two runs in 9-0 win over MCLA and added three hits in 6-5 loss to Fisher. For the week he posted a .652 on-base percentage while slugging .895.

Last season, as a freshman, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Kennedy batted .300 with 12 RBI in 30 games and now he’s providing more pop in his second season with the Bucs. He finished gthe regular season with a robust .384 batting average.

“It’s been a big jump from freshman to sophomore year and I’m a more patient hitter,” said Kennedy, who is second on the team with 13 walks. “I used to be more of a first-ball swinger, but I’ve learned to lay off that first pitch and make the pitcher throw something I’m comfortable (handling).”

MMA posted the 11th 20-win season in school history (and first in eight years) under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Kelley. The Bucs went 11-3 in the MASCAC, finishing finished second.

MMA will host either third-seeded Fitchburg State or sixth-seeded Framingham State in second-round play of the conference championships at 3 Friday afternoon at Commodore Hendy Field on the Buzzards Bay campus.

Along with Kennedy’s accolades, junior right-hander Daniel Avery was named the conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season for his complete-game, four-hit shutout of Westfield State. He was also pitcher of the week in April and is 5-1 with a 3.71 earned run average.

Sophomore cleanup hitter Logan Sullo twice was named player of the week in April. He leads the team in hitting at .429 with five homers and 25 RBI.

“Logan always comes up with big hits when we need them,” said Kennedy. “We’re playing good baseball right now and looking forward to the playoffs.”

Kennedy is majoring in facility engineering and just hitting his stride handling both academics and athletics at MMA.

“We learn to balance our time at the academy,” said Kennedy. “Most of my classes are in the morning and practice doesn’t begin until 3, so I’m able to get some classwork done before then.” 

(Photo Credit:  Sean Walsh)