Kenwood won its first Public League baseball city title on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field. The 2-0 win against Payton required a total team effort.
There were small moments that meant everything: Junior Destin Edwards’ sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning set the stage for both runs.
There was high-level talent: Broncos starting pitcher Kevari Thunderbird, a junior, struck out 12 and allowed just two hits over six innings.
And some moments showed how badly Kenwood wanted the championship: right fielder Savion Flowers courageously hurling his body through the net and into the stands while trying to catch a foul ball.
“I’m not going to lie, I really couldn’t sleep [last night],” Thunderbird said. “I was thinking about the moment and getting the win for my team, especially my brothers. I wanted to make sure they both left with a ring.”
Thunderbird and his two brothers, seniors Kevin and K’vion, will get that ring.
“This is one of the goals,” Broncos coach Romey Bracey said. “And the first one is always the hardest one. Give credit to Payton. They played us very tough. This was a tough game.”
Kenwood sophomore Philip Thigpen led off the sixth inning with a single and Brandon Stinson drew a walk from Payton starting pitcher Max McNamara.
Edwards’ sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position and then the pivotal moment arrived. The Grizzlies were unable to handle a ground ball hit by Jonathan Patterson. A bad throw led to both Thigpen and Stinson scoring.
“I felt confident after that,” Kevari Thunderbird said. “I knew we could get the win.”
Thunderbird pitched exclusively out of the stretch. The lefty crouches very low before he throws.
“I do that to keep the ball low,” Thunderbird said. “When I’m missing high it is because I’m popping up a little bit. So I stay low. I know I can do better, but that was one of the best games I’ve thrown. I started noticing they were late so my fastball was really my go to pitch.”
Thunderbird has committed to Eastern Kentucky for baseball. He filled in as Kenwood’s starting quarterback this fall after two other players went down injured.
“That’s our guy,” Bracey said. “He has taken such a big leap this year. He’s always been a top-notch talent but his fundamentals have grown. When he has the ball in his hands we feel confident about our chances of competing and winning.”
Junior Khamaree Thomas came in to earn the save for the Broncos (26-4). Thompson hit one batter and another reached on an error, which gave Payton a chance to rally with just one out. But Thomas struck out the final two hitters to secure the win.
“I trust my teammates to get the job done so I wasn’t worried,” Thunderbird said. “I wasn’t going to be selfish about it.”
Kenwood’s recent athletic renaissance has seen the basketball and football teams earn headlines and lofty rankings.
“All the coaches have a competitive nature, which is excellent,” Bracey said. “So now on our downtime in the off season I get to talk a little smack.”
McNamara, a senior, threw all six innings for Payton. He allowed five hits, two runs, struck out six and walked four.
The Grizzlies (12-17) start multiple sophomores and just two seniors.
“We are young guys, we make some mistakes,” Payton coach Garry Gustafson said. “But my hat goes off to Kenwood. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished this year. This is certainly a stepping stone for the future.”
Kenwood beats Payton 2-0 to win its first Public League baseball title. pic.twitter.com/E1HrVOvqaq
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) May 22, 2023
