Esperas’ no-hitter
beats Jr. ’Bows

Yesterday's ILH softball game between Kamehameha and University High was truly a tale of two pitchers, as the Warriors rode a no-hit effort by a healthy Noe Esperas and a grand slam by freshman Dara Padaguan to down the injury-stricken Jr. 'Bows 14-0 in Kapalama.

Esperas went the distance in the game, which was shortened to five innings due to the league's mercy rule, and came within one batter of completing a perfect game. The 2004 All-ILH second-team selection had eight strikeouts and did not walk a batter in improving to 3-1 this season.

"I didn't realize until the bottom of the fourth that I had a no-hitter," Esperas said. "I think I almost jinxed it. But I really felt like I had my team behind me. They were talking a lot and that made me feel more comfortable."

The junior right-hander began the day by retiring the first 12 batters she faced, before University's first runner reached base in the top of the fifth.

Jr. 'Bows catcher Cara Hasegawa led off the inning and nearly ended Esperas' no-hit bid when she drilled a hard grounder to the right side. Kamehameha's Brittney Clark made a strong and accurate throw, but the Warriors' first baseman dropped the throw to allow Hasegawa to reach.

It was the only baserunner Esperas allowed.

It was Esperas' first regular-season no-hitter. She also recorded a no-hitter during this year's preseason.

Esperas' performance was especially encouraging, considering she recently recovered from a muscle pull.

"That's how good she is," said Warrior head coach Ty Sing Chow. "Noe has been very good for us for some time now and she's beginning to get some attention now and she's earned it.

"We know she's gonna get better, more crisp. She had a pulled muscle and we just started to be able to work her every day in practice."

Just as Esperas' recovery has lifted the Warriors, the Jr. 'Bows have hit a speed bump with the injury to their top gun, Jessica Ghazali.

Kessell perfect in Kailua win Senior Courtney Kessell pitched a perfect game yesterday, leading Kailua to an 8-0 victory over host Kaimuki in an Oahu Interscholastic Association softball game. Kessell had 12 strikeouts against the 21 batters she faced in the seven-inning game. Surfriders infielder Rusty Borges jumped to catch a line shot to save Kessell's perfect game. "She had a good day," Kailua coach Victor Bernard said. "She's been pitching pretty well and gave up only one hit against Roosevelt." Kessell was the Star-Bulletin's player of the year two seasons ago when she led the Surfriders to the state championship. Erin Guerrero had two singles, while Brittany Tokunaga and Shyenne Hussey hit doubles for Kailua, which broke the game open with four runs in the third inning and improved to 3-0. Kaimuki dropped to 1-2. Star-Bulletin staff

Ghazali, a second-team All-State pick last year, attempted to work through the pain of a back injury, but was only able to throw two innings, flip-flopping between the pitcher's circle and first base with Leann Lariosa.

The right-hander was able to throw a scoreless second inning in relief, but could only work two batters when she returned in the fourth before being replaced by Lariosa.

"They have been hit hard by injuries," said Sing Chow about University. "Ghazali has a bad back and a sprained ankle and she just wasn't herself."

Padaguan provided all the offense Esperas would need with her blast in the bottom of the first. The third baseman jumped on Lariosa's first pitch and yanked it down the left-field line to empty the bases.

"It felt really good," Padaguan said. "I expected the first pitch would be the best one to hit and I was waiting for it."

Padaguan has been a big bonus for the Warriors thus far. She started her high school career by going 2-for-3 against Punahou All-State ace Sarah Weisskopf in the season opener two weeks ago.

"Dara is only a freshman and she is a phenom," Sing Chow said. "She is very polished, considering her age, and she's the first freshman we've had start here in a long time. Once she crossed the line she is a true competitor and she has earned the respect of all the older players because she just plays hard."