WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freshman Brooke Perry got things done on both sides of the ball as a prepster, earning North Carolina state Pitcher of the Year honors as a senior and looks to continue that success in a Purdue jersey in 2017. The pitcher/infielder will even have a chance to do so close to home as the Boilermakers travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the second week of the season, just a 90-mile drive from her hometown.
The Clemmons, North Carolina, native posted a 21-1 record with 154 strikeouts and a 0.81 ERA en route to 4A state tournament MVP honors as well as all-state, all-district and all-conference accolades her final season. She also chipped in a .470 average with 50 RBI, 10 home runs and an .850 slugging percentage while leading her team to a No. 22 national ranking and the first state championship in school history.
"Brooke is a new face on our pitching staff this season," head coach Boo De Oliveira said. "She has all of the potential to become a dominant pitcher. She really understands pitching mechanics and how to make adjustments. She has the ability to throw hard, as well as change speeds effectively. Brooke also has a lot of power potential up at the plate. Look to see her compete not only on the mound, but also as our DP."
The two-time all-state honoree loves being able to touch the ball every pitch/out and says the best feeling in the circle is getting a swing and miss. She also relishes the feeling of getting good barrel on the ball when in the batter's box.
The rookie hopes to become a sixth-grade math teacher. Her talent of being able to take a good 10 minute nap and her stupid human trick of being able to swallow her tongue may come in handy in a future of working with children. But first, this competitive, adventurous and reliable player has a lot of college softball ahead.
Get to know Brooke more below.
Fun Facts
Sweet or salty: Sweet
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Cooking or eating: Eating
Vacation: To the quiet country or to the big city: Quiet country
Coolest place I've ever been/or most unique locale: Boulder, Colorado
Place I dream of visiting someday: Australia
Person I look up to most & why: My dad, because he does everything he can to help our family, and me, and continues to stay positive through everything.
Best Feeling at the plate (offensively): Getting good barrel on the ball
Best Feeling in the circle (pitching): Getting a swing and miss or strikeouts
Favorite thing about my position (s): I touch the ball every pitch/out
Three words that describe me: Competitive, adventurous, reliable
One word to describe my game: Determined
Team I am most excited to play in 2017: UNC-Chapel Hill
My most memorable sports moment: Winning the North Carolina state championship in 2016
Celebrity crush: JJ Watt
Celebrity who would play me in a story of my life: Amy Schumer
Person I would like to have dinner with: Jamey Johnson or Chris Stapleton
Best non-athletic talent: Being able to take a good 10 minute nap
My stupid human trick is: I can swallow my tongue
Dream job: Sixth-grade math teacher
Song I have to listen to before a game: Partition by Beyonce
Favorite thing about playing at Bittinger Stadium: Being able to stand on the mound and look at how beautiful it is
Place I am most excited to play in 2017: Hawaii
Person who has impacted my life/made me who I am: My parents
Favorite Things
Favorite sweet treat: Doughnuts (Krispy Kreme chocolate glazed)
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite sport besides softball: Football
Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Athlete: Jason Witten
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite Movie: Sixth Sense
Favorite Book: The Last Song
Favorite Musical Artist: Jamey Johnson
Favorite type of pizza: Pepperoni and Mushroom
Favorite Actor: Denzel Washington
Favorite Food: Medium rare sirloin
Favorite place on campus: Engineering fountain
Favorite city: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Favorite animal/furry friend: Giraffes
Favorite class at Purdue: Math 16200 (Calculus II)
Favorite Purdue professor: Athena Anderson
