Serna Has His Eyes on the Big Picture

Fullerton High alumnus D.C. Olsen’s county record for home runs (13) in a single season stood for seven years before Laguna Hills’ Nick Harvey surpassed his mark last season with 15.

A year later, Harvey’s record is being threatened.

Rancho Alamitos catcher Tony Serna leads the county with eight home runs halfway through this season.

And Serna, a senior who has driven in 21 runs, is doing this while trying to master one of game’s most demanding positions. Twice an all-Garden Grove second-team infielder, he became a catcher to help the team and because others convinced him he was more suited to play the position.

“It started with my summer league coach Jeff Doolin, who suggested I do it,” Serna said, adding he had played for Doolin in Little League. “He’d seen me catching while fooling around, and I’ve always had a good arm.

“I enjoy it now. Catching really keep your mind in the game. That’s what I like about it.”

But the home run spree could not come at a better time for Serna, 17, who is 5 feet 8, 180 pounds. Although a good student (3.43 grade-point average, 1,050 SAT score) his size does not command the immediate attention of college or pro scouts.

If he can continue produce home runs with his compact, powerful swing, it might get him some second looks.

Vaqueros assistant coach John Martin is hopeful.

“[Serna] is a very strong kid with good fundamentals,” Martin said. “He has a quick bat and his swing is sound. Even with two strikes he puts the ball in play. And he has power to all fields.

“As a catcher he is learning as he goes. The hardest thing to learn is how to call the game. Footwork and the ability to block pitches in the dirt are important, but a catcher has to control the game. But Tony has shown he is real smart and learns quick. You tell him something once, he gets it.”

Serna has shown the ability to punish opponents who get careless.

Against Santiago on March 27, Serna caught the first six innings, pitched two innings of relief, then decided the 9-8 contest for Rancho Alamitos with a home run in the eighth.

Two weeks earlier, Palos Verdes Peninsula defeated Rancho Alamitos in the North Orange County tournament 9-4, but could not stop Serna. He hit two home runs and drove in four runs.

Serna said he got off to his quick start because he was active in summer and winter league baseball. When the prep season began, his swing was ready.

“Since last summer, I’ve probably only gone a month without playing,” Serna said., “It’s funny. I haven’t felt that comfortable, but I’ve just been getting hits. I haven’t experimented with my swing or stance; I’m just taking bigger cuts.”

Serna said his weight work made him stronger. Although his strikeouts have increased slightly this season (five after striking out three times last season) he says he believes he’s driving the ball farther. Even though five of his eight homers have come in the Vaqueros’ small home field, Serna has been hitting deep to all fields.

“You must move ball in and out on him, because he is a very strong kid with good bat speed,” said La Quinta Coach Dave Demarest, whose Aztecs are one of few to have contained Serna this season.

Serna admits Harvey’s record is in the back of his mind “because people bring it up all the time.” But he said he is more interested in getting Rancho Alamitos a playoff berth.

Serna, who is homerless in his last five games, said he knew it would be hard for him to maintain his early home run pace.

“I’ve been pressing,” Serna said. “I have to remind myself to stay calm and wait for my chances.”