Much like a boxer, St. Laurence’s Adrian Perez took the punch and responded in kind.
Perez had just watched Mount Carmel storm back from a seven-run deficit to tie the game in stunning fashion at 10-10. But for some reason, the junior designated hitter didn’t even flinch.
“I’ve always loved the team aspect of the sport,” Perez said of playing baseball. “I love the chance of being able to pick up my teammates. No matter what happens, I always stay positive.
“I never get down, and I’m always up for whatever happens.”
What happened? Well, Perez hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning Thursday as the Vikings ended up taking a 12-11 Catholic League Blue victory over the host Caravan in Chicago.
Senior catcher Enrique Villanueva came through with three hits and drove in three runs for St. Laurence (23-3, 9-0). Mickey Lotus and Danny Donovan, both juniors, each added two RBIs.
Junior infielder TJ McQuillan delivered a two-run double as Mount Carmel (16-10, 5-4) rallied from a 10-3 deficit. Senior outfielder Kolin Adams added three hits and knocked in pair of runs.
The Vikings’ nine-run outburst in the second inning was matched by the Caravan’s six-run fifth. That set the stage for Perez after senior outfielder Corey Les reached on a bunt single.
“I was really excited to be in that position after Corey laid down the bunt, sacrificing himself to get on,” said Perez. who finished 2-for-3 with three runs. “He threw a fastball and I was ready for it.
“I was just trying to take it to the opposite field, knowing the wind was going there.”
Villanueva, for one, wasn’t surprised about the roller-coaster nature of a game that saw the teams combine for 31 hits.
“People in the Catholic League know how hard it is to bury a team,” he said. “Obviously, it was a crazy scoring game and AP just came through when we needed him.
“His personality is a bit of a jokester, but he’s hardworking and he always puts the team above himself. The best thing about him is that he can just hit the ball.”
St. Laurence coach Pete Lotus said the hitting prowess was self-apparent after Perez made an appearance late in the season on the varsity as a sophomore last spring.
Perez was called up after senior first baseman Connor Marino suffered a hamstring injury.
”We’ve always known since he’s been at St. Laurence that he’s a really good hitter,” Lotus said of Perez. “When Connor went down, he came up and he had five hits in his first five at-bats.
“He’s a tremendous hitter who’s never fazed and always hits in big situations.”
Perez started playing baseball in youth leagues at age 4. Although his father played rugby, he felt that baseball best suited his son’s personality.
He then rose to the occasion after Marino’s injury created the opening.
“I came up for the playoffs and that really helped to see the pitching,” Perez said. “Now as a junior, I feel like I’ve seen it all before and I’m even more prepared.”
Perez and Marino toggle between handling the defensive responsibilities at first base. When one plays in the field, the other slots in as the DH.
“He’s a really good defensive first baseman and we’ve tried to get him reps out there,” Lotus said. “For us to give up a big lead, that swing was huge to put two on the board like that.”
Confidence is key, and Perez knows to take every moment seriously.
”I’m not really a power guy or more of a contact guy,” said Perez, who has hit two home runs this season. “I like to go through my approach and wait for the chance to take it deep.
“When I’m up there hitting, my approach and ability to hunt the fastball is what I’m best at.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
