The Kennedy Years

Shortstop Adam Kennedy finished the regular season as the most productive hitter in Cal State Northridge history. His single-season numbers rank among the best in NCAA history.

Kennedy, a junior, may have played his last game as a Matador. He is expected to sign a professional contract after the June draft, where he is projected to be a second-round pick. The Matadors (42-20-1) find out Monday if they have been selected to the NCAA tournament.

Kennedy ranks in the NCAA top five in total bases, hits and doubles, and in most instances his accomplishments came in far fewer games than those ahead of him.

Northridge Coach Mike Batesole says Kennedy is the best college player he has seen. At least one prominent opposing coach, Mike Gillespie of USC, also holds a lofty opinion.

“Kennedy deserves to be player of the year in college baseball,” Gillespie said. “The numbers he’s put up are staggering, beyond comprehension.”

Scouts point to a relatively obscure statistic as the most impressive of all Kennedy compiled this season: He struck out only 21 times in 322 plate appearances.

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By the Numbers

NCAA single-season records

Total Bases

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Name School Yr G TB Pete Incaviglia Oklahoma St. 1985 75 285 Jeff Ledbetter Florida St. 1982 74 273 Frank Fazzini Florida St. 1985 81 264 Adam Kennedy Northridge 1997 63 254 Chris Gwynn San Diego St. 1984 89 243

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Hits

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Name School Yr G H Tim Barker Central Florida 1985 85 142 Shane Monahan Clemson 1994 75 137 Frank Fazzini Florida St. 1985 81 137 Chris Gwynn San Diego St. 1984 89 137 Adam Kennedy Northridge 1997 63 134

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Doubles

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Name School Yr G 2B Jeremy Morris Florida St. 1996 69 36 Gary Schoonover Brigham Young 1987 63 34 Joe Carter Witchita St. 1980 64 34 Adam Kennedy Northridge 1997 63 32 Cliff Brumbaugh Delaware 1995 59 32 Dan Peltier Notre Dame 1989 68 32

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CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

KENNEDY’S CAREER RECORDS

Runs: 245 (1st), Greg Shockey (89-92) and Eric Gillespie (94-96) tied for 2nd with 183

Hits: 337 (1st), Greg Shockey is 2nd with 279.

RBIs: 234 (1st), Eric Gillespie is 2nd with 162.

Doubles: 63 (1st), Greg Shockey is 2nd with 54.

Triples: 18 (1st), Scott Richardson (90-92) is 2nd with 14.

Home Runs: 51 (tied for 1st) Scott Sharts (90-91).

Stolen Bases: 42 (5th), Scott Richardson is 1st with 48

Sacrifice flies: 11 (1st), Jason Shanahan (1992-95) is 2nd with 10.

At-Bats: 814 (4th), Mike Sims (90-93) is 1st with 868.

Batting Average: .414. (1st), Mike Solomon (83-84) is 2nd at .396.

KENNEDY’S SINGLE-SEASON RECORDS

Runs: 96 (1st), Kennedy (‘96) is also 2nd with 94.

Hits: 134 (1st), Kennedy (‘96) is also 2nd with 121.

RBIs: 99 (1st), Robert Fick (‘96) is 2nd with 96.

Doubles: 32 (1st), David Govea (‘82) is 2nd with 30

Home runs: 26 (2nd), Scott Sharts (‘90) is 1st with 29.

Sacrifice flies: 7 (1st tie) with Robert Fick (‘96) and Grant Hohman (‘96).

Stolen bases: 22 (4th), Bob Slater (‘76) is 1st with 31.

Batting average: .482 (1st), Robert Fick (‘96) is 2nd at .420.