Centennial senior Steph Kappes spent part of her afternoon last Sunday working with her pitching coach, shoring up the little details that can make all the difference.

"She makes sure I'm staying in line with my mechanics and not getting too out of whack," Kappes said. "But I pretty much know when I'm doing something wrong."

This spring is more about the things Kappes is doing right. Her strong pitching and improved hitting have helped the Cougars – who began this week with a 12-2 record – stay in or near the metro's top-10 rankings most of the year.

Kappes' biggest achievement came on back-to-back no-hitters against Osseo and Andover. She has also helped out at the plate, belting a two-run home run in a comeback victory against Lakeville North.

Kappes spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about her mastery of junk pitches, a busy week ahead and her improved hitting.

Q Where do your two no-hitters rank among your best pitching stretches?
A I guess I haven't kept track but I think I've done really well keeping teams to just a few hits. I move the ball a lot and avoid throwing it right down the pipe. I just go after each batter. I don't really think about it.

Q In what ways do you go after batters?
A I just say, "They are not getting on." That's my mentality. "You're not going to hit this."

Q You do a nice job striking people out, but your coach [Janelle DiMartino] said you have a good defense behind you. What sort of confidence do your teammates provide?
A If I'm down in the count and I know I have to throw a strike, if she hits it I know my defense is solid. That helps a lot.

Q What is your preferred style of pitching?
A I try to throw as much junk as I can and get them to chase it. I work on my junk pitches a lot and I've gotten them down really well. And my curve and my rise are really doing me wonders.

Q Would you have ever guessed that learning to be a good pitcher would require you to learn how to throw pitches that aren't supposed to be strikes?
A [Laughs] No, not when I was younger. It was always, "You've got to throw strikes." And now it's, "Get them to chase it." It's all about the movement and hitting your spots.

Q Let's look ahead to this week. Four games in four days and you end with the defending Class 2A state champs from Park Center. I know your teams are in a different class but is this a game you're getting up to play?
A I know my coach is worried about so many games and whether I'll get tired but I'm ready to do it. It doesn't really get to me that I'm tired. I've never wanted not to throw. I guess I have a high tolerance for soreness and pain.

The Park Center game will be a really good game. We've battled the past couple years. It'll be a tough game but as long as we're hitting I think we'll be fine.

Q Speaking of hitting, your coach said you're bringing a lot more at the plate. Is this the best hitting you've done at the varsity level?
A Yeah. In the past I don't know what my deal was but the hitting was just not there. And I've always hit so well in the summer. My coach asked, "Where is it in high school?" I'm like, "I don't know what to tell you." So it's been great to hit well in high school this year.