In 2007, through the month of May, Kenner had a 9-2 record with a 1.60 earned run average for the season. He had 74 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 52 innings pitched. These included a 6-0 shutout against Franklin-Simpson to capture Logan County the 2007 District Championship title, and then another stellar performance for a 6-0 shutout of Glasgow in the opening game of the regional tournament.
Also among his accomplishments as a senior pitcher, he pitched wins over two state top-twenty ranked teams, Butler County and Russellville. In the Russellville game he also drove in the winning run at the plate. At the end of his senior season, Kenner's LCHS school career record was 28-7.
"John is the kind of pitcher that gives you the chance to win every game that he pitches," said LCHS baseball Coach Ethan Meguiar. "He was always ready and willing as a baseball player to 'do the right things' to help his team have the chance to win. He just loves to play the game!"
Kenner, who has also spent the last three summers pitching and playing outfield for Bowling Green-based teams. One season was with the well-known Kentucky Colonels where he posted a 10-0 career record with a 0.95 ERA, and two seasons with the highly respected Southern Kentucky. Sliders with whom he posted an 11-1 career record with an 1.90 ERA and 1.5 strikeouts per innings pitched. Included in those wins are state championships, regional championships and two wins in USAAA World Series competitions for the
Sliders.
"John Kenner (Johnny K.), is a remarkable player and person, he definitely has the ability to play the game at the next level and beyond" said Kentucky Colonels Coach and ex- Warren Central baseball head Coach Rick Alfonso. "He brings out the best in the other players around him, he has the calmness of a veteran player and the ideal personality to make friends and inspire team morale both among players and coaches. He has always been willing to work hard to improve all areas of his game.
"John is an outstanding baseball player," said SOKY Slider Coach and Butler County High School pitching Coach Clay Diamond. "He is one of the most focused and poised pitcher's that I have ever seen and with a good defense behind him, he can dominate a baseball game with his pitching skills or on the defensive side, he can also win you a game with his outstanding fielding skills, or his bat. He can spark a rally from the dugout.
"He just always seems to find a way to win ball games"!
"John is an outstanding baseball prospect," said Brescia Coach Jeff Falkner. "He has good velocity and excellent command of his pitches as indicated by his strikeout-to-walk ratio. I believe, he will be a positive addition to our program."
Kenner was a basketball standout at Lewisburg Middle School, helping the Rangers win the 2002 county championship. He played round ball for the Cougars three years before concentrating on baseball this year.
He was a key member of the Logan County Babe Ruth All-Star team which finished as state runner-up as 13-year-olds.
He has enjoyed a supportive family, including his mother Mary and dad Jerry, who has served as a coach, board member or help-anyway-I-can support to any team or league his son is involved in.
Kenner also received offers from Asbury, St. Catherine, Lindsey Wilson, Mid-Continent and Union colleges.
“When he got back from the World Series, some of the schools had upped their offers,” says his dad. “He weighed the offers, the baseball programs, and the academics and chose Brescia.”
Jay Hart, a fellow former Cougar who just completed a solid career for the Bearcats, told him he enjoyed his years at Brescia and is impressed with Coach Faulkner, who was new to the program this year.
Kenner will join former fellow Cougars Kelley Jordan and Ryan Roche on the Bearcat baseball team. Former Cougars Hart and Jimmy Shoulders have also played for Bresica, as did former Russellville Panther Kyle Boisseau.
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