He had been playing baseball all his life, though after some time the sport lost its gusto. But once in a while, unfortunate and chance events can spark a passion. Moorpark College freshman Brian Kernochan has been playing baseball since the age of five.

His father got him involved with baseball at such a young age because he was the head of the local little league. The result of playing at a young age caused Kernochan to fall in love with the sport.

Kernochan, 21, was set to graduate from Oak Park High School, just as his baseball career was starting to lose its importance to him. After graduating, however, he was struck by an unfortunate event that later turned out to save his baseball career. In the summer of 2005, Kernochan was going through an intersection when another car ran through a red light and T-boned his car, injuring his arm.

The accident did not prove to be anything of concern to doctors, but they told him that he would have to spend some time away from baseball in order to let his injured arm heal. In his time off, he took a job coaching at Oak Park High School, where his passion for baseball was reignited.

“If it weren’t for the accident, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now,” said Kernochan. After coaching at his Alma Mater for two years, he realized that he still loved the sport, and wanted to get back into the swing of things. Kernochan enrolled at Moorpark College, and is now a pitcher with the Raiders.

His spot on the pitching roster is the culmination of an interesting journey. When Kernochan came to the team try outs, he desired to be a catcher. Terry McMaster, the catching instructor, thought that Kernochan was doing a great job as a first time catcher.

However, the coaches all agreed that with an arm like his it would be wrong not to use him as a pitcher. Today, Raiders pitching coach Mario Porto believes that Kernochan is ready for the season, and that his work ethic will be the guiding force for him throughout the season.

“He has a maturity about him, and he has coached so I think that helps him because he understands the game and he has worked with young people,” said Porto. “[All the pitchers] are fighting to be starters, and Brian is right in the mix, nothing is set yet.” Kernochan is training with the Raiders as they are preparing for their season which is set to begin in January.

Parto believes that Kernochan’s work habits and maturity will be a great addition to the team whether he is a starter, or if he’s coming out of the bullpen, and notices his teamwork. “I call him a kid but he is 21,” said Parto. “His attitude really feeds off well to the younger guys. [Kernochan] is a good guy and his work habits are great.”