Dedmon’s No-Hitter Puts Esperanza Into Final

Thirteen years after its last playoff appearance, Esperanza is making up for lost time.

Sophomore Kristen Dedmon’s eighth consecutive shutout was a no-hitter as the Aztecs advanced to the Southern Section Division I championship game with a 2-0 semifinal victory Tuesday against visiting Capistrano Valley.

Esperanza, now 24-5-1, avenged a 1-0 loss to Capistrano Valley two months ago. The Aztecs will play either Friday or Saturday at Barber Park in Irvine against Rancho Cucamonga, a 1-0 winner over top-seeded Colton.

Capistrano Valley (23-6-1) was trying to reach the finals for the first time since 1979.

“This means a lot, especially for our school, “ said Esperanza senior Carolyn Bullard, who had a run-scoring triple in the third inning. “We’re getting a lot of respect from the students and faculty, a lot of notice.”

For good reason. The Aztecs shared the Sunset League title with Fountain Valley--their first title since 1979--and have outscored four playoff opponents, 14-0.

“Kristen’s a great pitcher, but it’s a total team effort,” said Dennis Fox, Esperanza’s coach. “The kids just don’t think anyone can beat them. They know they have a great pitcher, a great defense, and now the hitting is getting better and better.”

Dedmon out-dueled sophomore Brooke Weekley (20-6), who gave up four hits and walked five. “I just didn’t have what I usually have,” Weekley said.

In the third inning, an error on April Murray’s leadoff bunt brought up Bullard, who pulled an eye-high rise ball over the left fielder’s head for a run-scoring triple. An out later, Danielle Ackland drove home Bullard with an opposite-field double to left.

“The first one the pitch was pretty high, and the second one was in the dirt, practically,” Weekley said. “They deserved it. They were hitting the ball and [Dedmon] was pitching awesome.”

Dedmon faced only one over the minimum. With one out in the sixth, Bullard misplayed a grounder to shortstop by Alicia Thompson. Dedmon struck out six.