Jessica Perley named honorable mention All-State

The Alabama Sports Writers Association released its All-State high school softball team on Friday night, and one Vestavia Hills player made an appearance on the list.

Jessica Perley was named honorable mention to the All-State team for her junior season, as the Lady Rebels advanced to the 2016 state tournament.

She served the dual role of ace pitcher and big bat in the middle of the Vestavia lineup for most of the season, as the team got hot down the stretch and rode the momentum all the way to the season's conclusion in Montgomery.

"She is very deserving of the honor," Vestavia coach Lissa Walker said. "She is a great ball player and leader on and off the field. She works hard and expects her teammates to do the same."

Perley started 26 games in the pitching circle for the Lady Rebels, finishing with a 15-10 record and 2.14 ERA in 160.2 innings pitched, and striking out 133 opposing batters.

At the plate, she was second on the team with four home runs, while driving in 18 runs and hitting for a .227 average.

Among her notable performances was a complete game shutout against Hoover on May 14 in the North Central Regional, a game in which she also hit a two-run homer and the Lady Rebels clinched a berth in the state tournament.