Maxwell's Perry throws fourth straight no-hitter
Not even strep throat and a 100-degree fever could stop Steven Perry from making history.
The Maxwell High pitcher battled through illness to tally his fourth consecutive no-hitter on Friday. The record-reaching performance was a 13-strikeout, five-inning gem during an 18-0 win (mercy-rule shortened) over Chester. The accomplishment makes him the third player — and second Mid-Valley local — in California history to throw four straight.
East Nicolaus' John Kukuruda reached the mark last season and Byron Randolph of Winters was the first to go four straight after accomplishing the feat in 1963, according to MaxPreps.
Perry, a senior who pushes 90 mph with his fastball, said there was no doubt he was going to take the hill. He has been bothered with strep throat recently and had a triple digit temperature Friday morning, he said by phone. That wasn't going to stop him, though.
"I just wanted to pitch no matter what," Perry said. "I didn't really mind."
What did get to him: Chester trying to bunt. With the still undefeated Panthers up in the fifth, the Volcanoes tried to bunt with one and two outs. The first batter failed when the ball rolled right to Perry. The second was a futile attempt with two strikes — giving him a share of the record.
"Now I need a couple more," he said with a laugh.
