By: Scott Moriak, Florida State University
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (seminoles.com) – Hotel Ambassador cc Terrasvogels of the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) defeated the Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem by a score of 3-2 on October 6 to win the Holland Series for the 15th time – and first since 2007 – behind the strong right arm of former Seminole Monica Perry.
The Terrasvogels defeated the Sparks three games to two in the best-of-five series. Perry pitched extremely well in the finals, throwing three complete games in posting a 3-0 record and a 1.33 ERA. She allowed only 14 hits, eight runs, four earned, walked three and registered 23 strikeouts to earn MVP honors for the tournament.
The Sparks finished the regular season 42-2 and have been the dominant team as of late in the KNBSB. Both the Sparks and the Terrasvogels call the city of Haarlem home and there has been a big rivalry between the two squads for years. Perry and the Terrasvogels posted a 33-11 record in the regular season but had played the Sparks competitively and knew that they could do well against them in the final.
“We were definitely the underdog, the whole town talked about how Sparks would win the series in three games and when we won the first game of the series I think that got my team really fired up and gave us the belief that we could win,” said Perry.
“Monica is such a tremendous competitor and loves playing the game at a high level,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “We were fortunate to have her wear a Seminole jersey. It does not surprise any of us that she is successful playing in Europe.”
Perry went over to the Netherlands shortly after Florida State’s season ended in May. “I decided that playing overseas would be a really unique experience and so I got into contact with the [KNBSB] league and talked to the manager of the team and they wanted me as soon as possible,” said Perry. “They booked a flight for me in the next few days, so it was really a spur of the moment kind of thing.”
As a two-time member of the All-ACC First Team, Perry is no stranger to having success in the circle. Coming off of a 19-9 senior campaign, with a 6-0 record and 1.14 ERA in ACC play, Perry went over and helped the Terrasvogels immediately.
“The season was amazing, they start here in March and I got here in June right after our college season ended at FSU,” Perry said. “We won the EuropaCup in Italy during August and then just won the Holland National Championship. We had a really great second half of the season.”
Perry credits her time at Florida State with teaching her how to be successful at the next level. “The biggest thing I learned at FSU was how to be a team player. About wanting the best for your team and not for yourself, which is something that has stuck with me and I think always will,” Perry said. “I really have to thank my FSU teammates for showing me how much it means to truly be part of a team. It makes the sport so much more enjoyable when you place your team above yourself.”
She looks to continue playing in Holland, but does not count out other opportunities to play internationally or back home in the States. ”As long as they keep wanting me back, I will keep playing! I’m not making any final decisions until I go home and talk to my dad about it, but I am definitely not ready to quit playing softball.”
