Junior third baseman Kenny Perez knows why he plays the way he does for De La Salle.
The Cincinnati recruit, a naturally gifted talent who swings a powerful bat, takes the field with a purpose and a passion. His dedication, his inspiration, comes from his No. 1 fan.
“My younger brother Noah, he’s 15,” Perez said. “And he has been in a wheelchair since he was probably 6 or 7 because of muscular dystrophy.
“Even though his condition kept getting worse, he supports me and comes to every game. He gives me a lot of motivation to go out and play this game that I love.”
Perez displayed that love Tuesday afternoon, hitting a 390-foot home run for the Meteors during an 8-6 loss to host St. Rita in a Catholic League crossover in Chicago.
That homer in the fifth inning, his second of the season, and Perez’s sure-handed fielding were highlights for De La Salle (4-3). Once again, he didn’t overthink his at-bats.
“I don’t try to think too much when I am up at the plate,” Perez said. “I look for a ball that I can take in and away.”
Senior second baseman Omar Alday drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth that broke a 6-6 tie for St. Rita (5-1).
His aggressive base running also created an insurance run off a steal of home for the Mustangs, who won their fifth straight game.
“I wasn’t trying to do too much in that situation,” Alday said. “I knew we had a guy in scoring position.
“I was down in the count, but I was just thinking of getting up the middle, where good things tend to happen.”
Good things happen offensively with Perez, the team’s No. 3 hitter, as the centerpiece of De La Salle’s attack. He’s batting .400 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs.
Like Perez, Alday is a versatile and plays multiple positions. He finished Tuesday with two RBIs, toggling between left field and the infield. He started at second base.
That malleable, shape-shifting ability permeates every part of his game.
“It definitely keeps me sharp,” Alday said. “Working out running good routes to the ball, either in the outfield or playing second, being able to move and being on my feet.”
Alday’s other RBI came by coaxing a walk with the bases loaded. It’s his third season on the varsity after not playing much as a sophomore.
“Last year was better,” Alday said. “Now I’m playing everywhere. I see myself as a contact hitter with a little bit of pop in my bat.”
The 5-foot-11 Perez, meanwhile, blends quickness, excellent fielding skills and a powerful, fluid swing. His home run proves his power.
After having his freshman season cut short by an elbow injury, Perez flourished last spring, making all-conference.
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Perez said he made his commitment to Cincinnati because he liked its “blue collar” nature and diversity.
His college career remains nearly two years away. In the meantime, he makes the long commute from near O’Hare, looking to elevate the Meteors’ program.
“I didn’t even know where De La Salle was,” he said.
Perez said the game changer was getting involved with Top Tier, the La Grange-based travel team.
“They put me in a bunch of showcases and tournaments,” Perez said. “I got to show my performance in front of college coaches and I got recognized.
“Now, this is my junior year and I want to be able to shine, ball out and show what I can do.”
Patrick Z McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
