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Pernetti competes in Arizona
Pernetti Josh
Ceres High standout Josh Pernetti turned down an invitation to play in the Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star Baseball Classic earlier this month to compete in the Wilson Premier Championship West Tournament. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s Josh Pernetti turned down an invitation to play in the 30th Annual Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star Baseball Classic on June 8 at Stanislaus State to compete in a showcase tournament in another state.

“I wanted to play in the all-star game,” he said. “It was worth missing it to get more exposure. There were a lot of college scouts in Arizona.”

Pernetti made his debut for the Texas-based under-17 Prospects National Team at the Wilson Premier Championship West Tournament.

The Prospects compiled a 2-2-1 record.

Pernetti logged playing time at first base and third base.

“I think I did well for my first tournament with them. I had a triple and walked four times. I had fun. We played a lot of games. It was hot. It was 100 degrees every day. The day we left, it got to 112.”
Josh Pernetti

“I think I did well for my first tournament with them,” he said. “I had a triple and walked four times. I had fun. We played a lot of games. It was hot. It was 100 degrees every day. The day we left, it got to 112.”

All but two of the Prospects’ players are from Texas.

Pernetti was recruited from the Stanislaus County-based under-16 Tri-County Tritons travel team.

“I played against the Prospects last year and they called me before this summer to ask if I wanted to play with them,” he said. “Me playing for this team will get me more looks from colleges. It (the competition) is definitely a lot tougher than high school. Hopefully, I can find a good college to go to.”

Pernetti and the Prospects posted a 3-1 record at the Five Tool Tournament in Texas this past weekend. The event was staged, June 14-15, in Houston.

Pernetti will play in a Perfect Game Tournament in Dallas this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jimbo Pernetti, Josh’s older brother, is an assistant coach with the travel team.

Jimbo graduated from Ceres High in 2013. 

A standout first baseman at Chico State, Pernetti was selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Gold Glove Team in 2017. He was the top Division-II defender at his position. He had a fielding percentage of .998, committing just one error in 441 chances. Jimbo earned California Collegiate Athletic Association honorable-mention recognition as well. He posted a batting average of .289 with seven homers, one triple, 13 doubles, 43 RBIs, 30 runs and six stolen bases during his final season with the Wildcats.

“This experience is a little different,” Josh said. “I haven’t really flown for baseball. It’s definitely a lot of fun seeing the country with my brother and playing a lot of baseball.” 

Pernetti earned second-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors while starring on Ceres High’s varsity baseball team this past spring. The junior catcher batted .290 with three homers, 21 RBIs and 19 runs.

Pernetti helped lead the Bulldogs to a 15-14 overall record and third-place finish in the WAC standings (10-4). Ceres High also returned to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs following a one-year absence.

Josh Pernetti
Josh Pernetti