Unable to select all-state players for prep softball due to the 2020 season being canceled because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Cal-Hi Sports will continue to recognize standout performers through the month of June as part of its Senior Salutes series.  

Ceres High senior shortstop Vianney Perez was among the six players celebrated on April 30, along with East Nicolaus’ Avery Croxall, Edison’s Talia Hannappel, South San Francisco’s Lafu Malepeai and San Pedro’s Briana Velazquez

“I had no idea,” Perez said. “It feels good being appreciated.”

Perez was a four-year standout with the Bulldogs.

“Coming in as a freshman, my goal was to start at varsity,” she said. “I did that. I always held myself to a high expectation and always wanted to help my team out in any way I could.”

Perez was enjoying her best season to date at Ceres High prior to the 2020 campaign being cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She hit .636 (14-for-22) with two homers, two triples, six RBIs and 14 runs while batting leadoff for the 6-2 Bulldogs.

Perez had on-base, slugging and on-base plus slugging percentages of .724, 1.090 and 1.815, respectively.

She ranked first on the team in batting average, hits, homers, triples, RBIs, runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage.

“Coach (Mike Corsaut) always pushed us to make each other better and wanted us to have fun at the same time,” she said. “We really enjoyed being together every day. Game days were a blast. We got the job done most days.”

Perez earned first-team all-conference honors her junior, sophomore and freshman years.

She would have been in the running for the 2020 WAC Most Valuable Player award had the season not been postponed. 

In 76 career games, Perez posted a batting average of .414 with 99 hits, 16 homers, 11 triples, 20 doubles, 72 RBIs and 83 runs. 

She had slugging and on-base percentages of .790 and .478.

Perez helped lead Ceres High to 51 wins, two conference titles and three playoff appearances.

The Bulldogs won league championships her junior and freshman years.

“It was an honor playing for Ceres High,” Perez said. “They’re known for softball. That’s one of the reasons I went there.”

“The words that come to mind when I think about Vianney are coachable and team player,” Corsaut said. “She was our leader. When she talked, people listened. She was so coachable. I’ve coached some pretty talented girls. She worked just as hard as Omaira Estremera, Meghan Franksen, Jennifer Arnold, Monica Hall and Sis Bates. She got the most out of her athletic ability.”

Perez will continue her softball career at the next level.

She earned a scholarship to Cal State Monterey Bay.

“It’s what I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little girl,” she said. “It’s finally here. I’m really excited.”