YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Shawn Novak on Friday tossed about as perfect a game as a pitcher can throw.

The Yokota senior right-handed starter struck out 14 of the 15 batters he faced, helping the Panthers to a 16-0 five-inning triumph over Robert D. Edgren in chilly, rainy weather at Yokota Park in the Japan Baseball League season opener.

“This is what you want out of your fourth-year senior,” said coach Brian Kitts of Novak, who’s 19-6 with 234 strikeouts and 24 walks in 153⅓ innings in a Panthers uniform. “It’s great. I think that’s something Shawn should be looking for every game.”

The only batter to put the ball in play against Novak hit a slow roller to first base for an out in the fourth inning. The game ended after five innings due to the league’s 10-run mercy rule.

Novak’s perfect game came against an Eagles team that was seeing live pitching for the first time all season other than a brief walk-through earlier Friday at Yokota. Misawa Air Base in northern Japan is still snowbound and the Eagles had yet to practice outdoors before traveling to Yokota.

Following in baseball’s tradition of superstition, Novak’s teammates and coaches said nothing to him, let alone tell him he had a perfect game going, as he struck out Eagle batter after Eagle batter.

“After the fourth inning, I realized it,” Novak said. “But I can’t focus on that, or else I’ll throw a bad pitch or a walk. I was thinking, just get them out and come in and hit again.”

Kitts said the Panthers’ coaching staff emphasized mechanics with Novak, not to try to overthrow, but to work on location.

Kyle Shimabukuro and Kenny Harris each supported Novak’s gem with two RBIs. Colin Gray doubled twice, Chris Shelton contributed two hits, including a double, and Evan Gray also doubled.

Novak is the only player left from the Yokota team that won the Japan League and Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools regular-season and tournament titles in 2002 and the Kanto tournament in 2003.

Friday’s gem, Novak said, compares well with other of his clutch performances, including a 2-1 semifinal victory over host Zama American in the 2003 Kanto tournament.

“But I can’t argue with this,” Novak said.

Novak will help set the tone for Yokota’s season, Kitts said.

“This is his team this year,” Kitts said. “His attitude and leadership. He’s the first to arrive and the last to leave every day.”

Novak said he hopes his performance Friday would herald a great last season of high school ball before he graduates. He wants to walk on at the University of Hawaii next year.

“The best is yet to come,” he said. “There will be more.”

Japan baseball

Friday, March 11, 2005

Yokota 16, Robert D. Edgren 0 (5)

At Yokota Air Base, Japan

Senior right-hander Shawn Novak tossed a perfect game, striking out 14 of the 15 batters he faced in a game called after five innings by the Japan League's 10-run mercy rule. Colin Gray doubled twice, Evan Gray doubled, Chris Shelton added two hits and Kenny Harris and Kyle Shimabukuro each had two RBIs.

Yokota 15, Matthew C. Perry 3 (5)

At Yokota Air Base, Japan

Ryan Kreulen ripped a two-run single in a five-run second inning and Arrio Granum triggered a four-run fourth with an in-park solo home run to right field in a game played in steady rain and called after five innings due to the league mercy rule. The Samurai, playing their first game since the 2003 season, got their three runs in the fourth on two bases-loaded walks and a wild pitch.

Japan boys soccer

Friday, March 11, 2005

Yokota 7, E.J. King 0

At Sasebo Naval Base, Japan

Halftime: Yokota 4-0. Goals: Yokota, Bronson Bailey 3 (3), Tom Gass 1 (1), Andreas Cabral 1 (1), Albert Abney 1 (1), Stefan Welch 1 (1). Assists:Yokota, Jamal McNeill 1, D.J. McCary 1, Andreas Cabral 1, Bronson Bailey 1, Jimmy Vosti 1, Stefan Welch 1.

Yokota 8, Canadian Academy 0

At Sasebo Naval Base, Japan

Halftime: Yokota 3-0. Goals: Yokota, Bronson Bailey 3 (6), Stefan Welch 2 (3), D.J. McCary 2 (2), Chad Evans 1 (1). Assists: Yokota, Stefan Welch 3, Ricky Byrnes 1, Jamal McNeill 1.

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