By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It took a while, but Buster Perry finally got his chance.

For his first three seasons as a Callaway Cavalier, Perry watched other guys get their opportunity to show what they could do as a varsity player.

For Perry, that opportunity didn’t come until this season, and he has made the most of it.

Perry, a senior, has been the starting center fielder for much of the season, and while he hasn’t been in the lineup every day, he has produced when called upon.

In last week’s series-clinching win over Thomasville, Perry was on base twice, and he had an RBI during a seven-run fifth inning.

After the 9-6 win, a beaming Perry talked about how much it has meant to him to be a part of this team.

“It’s surreal really,” Perry said. “This is my first year playing varsity, so it’s an amazing feeling. It’s something I can’t express. It’s really emotional. I love all of these guys. It’s a great experience.”

Perry has the appreciation of his head coach, Dusty Hubbard, who knows how hard he’s worked to get to this point.

“People do no put enough merit on to that, guys that didn’t have a chance to play a lot earlier, but they just keep buying into what you’re telling them, and they keep waiting on their time,” Hubbard said. “I’m just so happy for him.”

Perry never got discouraged as he saw other often younger players get a chance to play ahead of him.

“I worked my butt off every day at practice, and try to get better today, and do whatever I can to help the team,” Perry said. “It’s just hard work and dedication.”