The plan wasn’t for Manteno graduate Edan Perez to break the Lawrence University hit record in baseball.
“I was supposed to be a pitcher only,” Perez said. “They saw me at a tournament and I was pitching and a dude hit a home run off me.
“They liked the fact that I kept my head in the game and they liked my mentality.”
But in the fall of his freshman season at the Wisconsin school, it was his turn to hit home runs. Perez slugged a pair, and that convinced the coaching staff to take that “pitcher-only” tag off of him.
As a matter of fact, the senior infielder/outfielder made just three appearances on the mound in his college career.
But at the plate it’s been another story. Through May 10, Perez had 221 career hits for the Vikings, smashing the previous record of 208.
He also had 36 homers, 46 doubles, nine triples and 157 RBI in 156 games.
Perez moved to Manteno before his eighth-grade year from the Colorado Springs area. The altitude at his former home allowed for him to smack the ball long distances.
It was different in Illinois, and he adapted well.
“I noticed it, but in eighth grade, I grew a little more and I got stronger so I didn’t find it to be too noticeable,” Perez said of the altitude difference. “But at the time, I wasn’t paying attention to it.
“After my sophomore year, I went back there to play with one of my buddies because they needed a player for a weekend,” he added. “And you could tell the difference for sure. It definitely flies a lot more over there.”
Wild series
The Crete-Monee/Thornwood Southland Athletic Conference softball series was not for the faint of heart.
Crete won the first matchup 23-22 on May 5, Thornwood claimed the second 19-10 on May 7 and the Warriors won the deciding battle 22-9 on May 8.
Ariana Kovacs had four hits, five runs and four RBIs in the opener for the Warriors and she homered in the second-game loss. She also drove in six runs in the finale while Taleeana Ramirez scored five runs.
Pitchers’ duel
Those softball fans who were looking for a snappy game found it May 7 when Beecher beat Peotone 2-0.
Taylor Norkus pitched a no-hitter for the Bobcats and struck out 15. Peotone hurler Sophie Klawitter also struck out 15.
Sports bits
Several Manteno athletes announced their college choices: softball player Addison Smith committed to Joliet Junior College, Elizabeth Coyle is heading to Lewis to be a part of the stunt team and Nolan Canfield committed to Aurora for baseball.
● Crete-Monee is starting a girls flag football program and is seeking a coach. Apply at applitrack.com.