Perez’s Dual Role Makes Him the Talk of the Mound

Like many pitchers, Harvey Perez of Saddleback High School talks to himself on the baseball mound. But because Perez is also a catcher, few bring such a rare perspective to the conversation.

“If I think I’m getting out of control, I’ll circle the mound and get down on one knee and talk to myself,” Perez said.

Perez, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, didn’t have to say much Wednesday, when he held Newport Harbor hitless until allowing a single in the seventh inning.

He also had two hits and four runs batted in the 7-1 Sea View League victory.

Friday, Perez the catcher threw out two runners attempting to steal second base in a 5-3 loss to Tustin.

This dual role is a new one for Perez, who played shortstop for Saddleback most of last season. He pitched in only one game and played a couple of games at catcher at the end of the season.

But this season, Perez, the senior captain who is batting .452, has been required to do more, and has showed some improvement.

“He’s got a ways to go because he’s still trying to learn the (catching) position and it’s a hard position to learn,” said Saddleback Coach Bob Mangram said. “But he works hard at it.”

Before the one-hitter last week, Perez hadn’t been satisfied with the way he has handled himself on the mound, despite an 0.88 earned-run average. “I was just catching so much that I really wasn’t thinking about pitching,” he said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Mark Gonzales of La Habra won the 3,200 meters (9:32.68) and the 800 (1:59.30) and was named the athlete of the meet at the Valencia Invitational Saturday.

Greg Pearce pitched a four-hit shutout as El Toro defeated Mission Viejo, 2-0, Monday and pitched two scoreless innings and earned a save Friday in a 4-1 victory over Capistrano Valley.

Mark Parlin won the shotput (56-10 3/4) and the discus (161-5) as Esperanza defeated El Dorado, 101-29, in an Empire League track and field meet Thursday. Friday, he won the discus (171-5 1/2) at the Tustin Relays and Saturday he put the shot 53-9 to win the event at the Bishop Amat Invitational.

Karl Van Reusen and Steve Snyder of Edison each had 17 kills as the Chargers defeated then-No. 1-ranked Huntington Beach in a Sunset League volleyball match.

Harvey Perez

Saddleback High School

* Position: Pitcher/catcher

* Height, Weight, Class: 5-11, 170, Senior

* Last Week: Perez pitched a one-hitter and had four RBIs in a victory over Newport Harbor Wednesday. Friday, he threw out two runners trying to steal second.

* Season: Perez has an 0.88 earned-run average and is batting .452.