Sandburg's Perkins Has Hot Hand at Hot Corner and at the Plate vs. Marian Catholic

Jess Perkins is one of the top-rated high school third basemen in the Southland. A member of Sandburg’s 2010 state championship softball team, the senior has been at the hot corner for coach Jim Fabianski the last two years.

Perkins made her presence felt Wednesday—both in the field and at the plate—with five infield assists and the game-winning double in .

"We expect her to make those plays. She makes tough ones all the time," said Fabianski, after his team improved to 5-3.

With two out and Katie Guska at second base, pinch running for catcher Lexi Bryant, Perkins hit a frozen rope into deep left to easily plate Guska. Perkins missed a home run by about six feet.

"After our loss to Marist, the goal was to come out ready to win. I couldn't have done it without them," Perkins said of her teammates.

Three of Perkins’ assists came off the bat of the opposing pitcher, Rebecca Gray. Gray and Perkins have a history from club ball.

"I used to play with her (on the Homer Hawks), and I know she's a very good hitter,” Perkins said. “I told our shortstop that I would field anything that came our way because I know that I expected her to hit it hard. It's like fun out here."

Next year, Perkins will be playing softball at the University of Illinois in Champaign.