When it comes to hitting home runs, Koria is in a league of her own

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Senior catcher Perelini Koria of San Pedro hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth Monday against Gardena to up her career total to 40, breaking the state softball record of 38 set by Jennifer Lizama of Oakland Bishop O’Dowd from 1993-96. Koria, who has signed with Arizona, had tied the record on Saturday against Harvard-Westlake.

Koria (pictured) also shares the state record for most homers in a season, hitting 17 last year to match the total of San Diego University City’s Lisa Dodd in 2003. Koria was named Player of the Year in the City Section last spring after batting .549 with 65 RBIs. Her two round-trippers Monday were her seventh and eighth of the season.

‘I have coached some great players but she is the most devastating and intimidating player I have seen,’ Coach Tony Dobra told CalHiSports.com. ‘What separates her from most is she goes up there with a plan. She goes up there looking for a certain pitch in a certain location and if she gets the pitch she’s looking for she doesn’t miss. She’s a smart hitter and she may not hit it out for a homer all the time but she always hits it hard.’

Koria might soon have company at the top of the list. Trina Harrison of Oceanside is sitting on 37 career homers and will have her first chance to add to that total Tuesday against Vista. Harrison is the San Diego Section’s career home run leader and, with 13 already this season, could threaten Koria’s single season mark as well.

For now, though, Koria is the state’s undisputed Queen of Clout. Click here to read Paul Muyskens’ online article for CalHiSports.com.

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image by Christine Cotter/Los Angeles Times