Centerfielder Joanna Perruccio made history and stole her 49th base and broke a school record for most stolen bases.
On the softball field she bats lead-off and covers center field, swiftly using her speed to run down fly balls and steal bases to keep the team atop the South Coast Conference.
During the second inning of the Feb. 17 game against East Los Angeles College, she safely stole second and went on to score, contributing to the Falcons 13-5 blowout victory.
That stolen base was Perruccio’s 49th of her career and made her the current record holder for most stolen bases in Cerritos College softball history. The previous record was set in 2008 by center fielder Capree Williams.
“I thought it was cool. I’m trying to not really think about it because I feel like it just takes me off of having fun and playing the game and trying to win,” Perruccio said. “It’s cool. I’m happy that I conquered the record.”
Her other accolades include the Golden Shoe Award from the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association which she received for leading the state with 44 stolen bases in the 2014 season.
She also earned First Team All South Coast Conference honors for that same season.
“It’s good, I feel great. It’s awesome to have stolen that amount of bases. It’s a great accomplishment. I’m proud of myself,” Perruccio said.
As a student at Long Beach Wilson High School, she received Second Team All-League honors as a junior and First Team
All-League honors during her senior year. She also helped the team win the league championship her junior year.
Head coach Kodee Murray said, “We are very fortunate to have [Joanna] playing. [She] was an All-American last year with base-stealing and her playing the field, so she’s on the road to going back to being able to do that again.”
Assistant coach Jenel Guadagno said, “Joanna plays hard every day. She’s a great player and I look forward to watching her continue stealing bases and playing in the future.”
Perruccio plans to transfer and play for a four-year university, as well as become a coach in the distant future. “I would love to coach. I want to work with young kids, I love kids. I would love to coach because I love this game, it’s fun,” she said.
Third baseman Crystal Cano said, “Joanna holds a huge part in our team. She’s our leadoff hitter so she’s the one who gets everything started.
“Whether it’s laying down a bunt and beating it out with her speed or hitting it over the right fielders head,” she added.
According to Cano, Peruccio makes it seems so easy in the outfield.
