GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Courtney Kessell started playing softball at the age of 8 and took to the mound two years later. The move has paid off handsomely for the Surfriders.
Riding High Dourtney Kessell has already pitched in a state championship game and thrown two no-hitters.
The Surfriders' girls softball
team is undefeated at 5-0 thanks
to sophomore pitcher Courtney KessellBy Tim Crouse
tcrouse@starbulletin.comAnd she's only a sophomore.
The exceptional Kailua pitcher is in top form this season, the main reason why the Surfriders take a 5-0 record into today's Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division showdown at Castle (6-0) at 3:30 p.m.
The Knights' ace -- Lia Pedrina -- has similar numbers as Kessell.
Pedrina is 5-0, with two runs allowed in 35 innings.
Kessell, who is also a 4.0 student, started her OIA season by pitching a five-inning no-hitter against Kalani, and is 4-0 with 42 strikeouts in 26 innings. She has given up just seven hits and two runs.
Before Danielle Young tossed a five-inning no-hitter against McKinley on Saturday, Kessell had pitched every inning for Kailua this season. After getting the day off from the pitcher's circle -- Kessell was 3-for-3 at the plate -- she should be rested and ready for Castle today.
Last season, Castle got the best of Kailua in the regular season and in the OIA tournament -- but Kessell pitched the Surfriders into the state championship game against Kamehameha.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Courtney Kessell's best pitch is her riser, but the unbeaten Kailua sophomore has also been baffling opposing batters this season with a drop.
"She practices hard," Kailua catcher Tanisha Milca said. "She has the heart and dedication."
The Star-Bulletin second-team all-stater was 8-3 as a freshman, and struck out 23 hitters in three state tournament games -- including five of the first six Kamehameha batters she faced in the title game, whichKamehameha went on to win 4-0.
"She's young, but very poised," Warriors coach Ty Sing Chow said. "She has good control of her pitches, she kept us off-balance.
"She had us chasing; we just got a couple timely hits."
Kessell's best pitch is her rise ball, but she's also been working on a drop pitch this season.
"Everyone in the softball world knows I have the riser, and this year I've been throwing my drop, so it fools (the batters)," Kessell said. "But I still throw the riser and still get them on that when I'm having a bad day. It's all (about) rotation. If it rotates the right way the pitch will go the right way."
Kessell has also been working on cutting down on her walks.
"I've had a couple walks here and there. I should stop that because it usually causes runs," she said. "I had quite a few (walks) last year but in states it all came together.
"When you step on the mound it's all mental."
KESSELL started playing softball when she was 8 years old, and began pitching when she was 10.
Kailua coach Bernard Victor has been a constant through most of her softball career.
"She's just blossomed," said Victor.
"I just met him one day at Kailua High School. I said, 'Hi, I'm Courtney.' He helped me when I was nothing," Kessell said. "When I need help I always go to him. He's the only one who understands the way I pitch."
The way she's pitched this year has helped Kailua to a perfect mark, and the Surfrider hitters have been doing their part also.
"Our hitting has really been helping us out, hitting's been helping me out," Kessell said.
The Surfriders have averaged nine runs a game -- outscoring opponents 45-2 -- with a high of 16 in Kessell's no-hitter against Kalani.
Castle coach Jon Berinobis said he's impressed by Kessell's determination, as well as her top pitch.
"Her rise ball is very effective. We (need to) lay off of that and make her come into our strike zone. Once you commit, it's hard to lay off," he said. "She's a good defensive pitcher also. She plays her position well."
Despite the Knights' strong start and Castle's recent success against Kailua, Berinobis knows his team will be in for its biggest test yet.
"They're always a tough competitor," he said. "We're pretty much even, as far as seniors, returnees and experienced pitchers.
"(The game) will come down to who gets to whose pitcher first."
And the way Pedrina and Kessell have been pitching, that may take a while.
"Our goal is to win every game and we want to make it to states and win states, too," said Kessell.
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