HE’S ALL RIGHT, AND ALLLEFT

Rbecame Westminster Christian’s all-time leader in career strikeouts last Wednesday.

One day later the ambidextrous standout took a big step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery when he played first base right-handed for the first time since undergoing the procedure on his right elbow in November.

Perez sustained the elbow injury last October while pitching at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. He has maintained his status as one of the top pitchers in the state by continuing to throw with his left hand during the recovery process, and he could begin throwing off a mound with his right hand for the first time in a matter of weeks.

“The doctor said I was actually ahead of schedule the last time I checked in,” Perez said. “He gave me a program and I started off throwing a football and pro-

gressed to throwing a baseball and doing a little long toss.”

Perez has continued to post outstanding numbers this year despite only pitching from the left side.

He owns a 7-1 record, a 0.95 ERA and a whopping 119 strikeouts compared to only 15 walks in 59 innings of work. Perez’s career total now stands at 396 strikeouts, which is the 18th highest total in state history.

Perez has also been a mainstay in the middle of the batting order and a reliable defender.

He owns a .347 batting average and leads the Warriors with 22 RBI and nine doubles.