Kendrena, Shockey Sign Pro Baseball Contracts

Two Cal State Northridge baseball players with Orange County ties have signed professional baseball contracts.

Ken Kendrena, a right-handed pitcher from Cal State Northridge and Cypress College, signed with the Florida Marlins.

Kendrena, who attended Bishop Amat High School, was taken in the 28th round. The senior was 11-6 this spring, leading the Matadors in victories, and had a 3.11 earned-run average with 13 complete games. He struck out 176 in 162 innings and walked only 41.

Kendrena is going to Millington, Tenn., as a walk-on at the Olympic trials next week, then will report to the Marlins’ Class-A New York-Penn League in Erie, Pa.

Greg Shockey, a senior outfielder from Cal State Northridge and Mater Dei, signed with the Seattle Mariners as a free agent. He was not drafted.

Shockey, who batted leadoff, hit .338, walked 50 times in 55 games and had an on-base percentage of .470. He hit nine home runs and drove in 41 runs.

He will report to mini-camp in Tempe, Ariz., then to Seattle’s Class-A Northwest League team in Bellingham Wash.

J.J. Thobe, a sophomore right-hander from Rancho Santiago, was taken in the seventh round by the Cleveland Indians. Thobe, an all-state pick this season, was 9-4 with the Dons as a starter.

He set the Rancho Santiago single-season record for saves (11) as a freshman. Thobe, from Edison High School, has also signed a letter of intent to play at Pepperdine.

Also selected was David Newhan of Cypress College and Esperanza High, who went to the Detroit Tigers in the late rounds.