There’s nothing small about Sereniti Trice, Cathedral Catholic’s softball-playing future doctor

There is very little serenity whenever very little Sereniti Trice comes to the plate in a softball game.

The 5-foot-1, 115-pound speedster from Cathedral Catholic High School wreaks havoc on an opponent’s mindset whenever she places her kid-size-5 cleats in the left-handed batter’s box.

“She is the best softball player in the county,” said Torrey Pines’ Jon Moore, who is the third winningest coach in San Diego Section history. “She can completely rattle a defense.”

Called “Lil’ Biddy” by her family and teammates, Trice will be batting leadoff for the West Team vs. East Team in Tuesday’s CIF San Diego Section All-Star Game at San Diego State. Players will take part in a home run derby at 5 p.m., then play a nine-inning exhibition game.

If “The Trice Is Right” — a family text group name — there is a good chance Sereniti will put on a show.

“When I get on, it’s fun for me,” Trice said. “I love to make the defense panic a little. Keep them on their toes.”

Playing against the county’s best teams, Trice finished among the CIF San Diego Section leaders in batting (.533), runs (39), hits (49), stolen bases (31) and on-base percentage (.569).

One number, however, stands out the most — 7. Out of 401 career plate appearances, Trice struck out only seven times.

“You’re kidding, right?” Cathedral coach Joe Hallare asked. “Even I didn’t know that. That’s unreal. She is a special talent for sure.”

Hallare, who finished his fifth season at Cathedral, is the coach of the West all-star team against the East coached by 25-year veteran Mike Centrullo of Mater Dei Catholic.

“She’s a phenomenal athlete,” Hallare said. “She works hard and is reaping the benefits of all that hard work. It’s fun to be a fan and to have watched her play for four years.”

Choosing hits over flips

It’s as if Trice is one part Rod Carew (batting stance), one part Tony Gwynn (tough to strike out), one part Ozzie Smith (gold glove) and one part Simone Biles.

Trice grew up competing in gymnastics. She said the got the comparison to Biles “a lot.”

When it came time to choose between flips and hits, she chose softball.

“If I wanted to just be mediocre, yeah, I could have done both sports,” Trice said. “But if I wanted to be elite, I knew I needed to commit to a sport. I was only doing gymnastics because I had a love for it. With softball, I had a love for it and I knew that was something I wanted to do in the future.”

In a couple months, her future will be at Iowa State, playing Big 12 softball for the Cyclones while studying pre-med with the intent to become a doctor.

“I love being able to help people and I like service,” said Trice, who volunteers regularly at Feeding San Diego. “I love science and math, so doctoring seemed to be perfect. It’s a way to give back to the community.”

Her 4.30 GPA and obvious people skills indicate she will be a terrific doctor, but her friends playfully suggested she may not reach a height requirement.

“We’re going to figure it out,” Trice retorted. “They’ll have to find a way to lower a table or a bed.”

 

Playing, living big

Born in Chicago to Cherylanda and Phayzon Trice, the family moved to La Mesa when Sereniti was 7. Her brother, Keishon Trice, 21, played football, basketball and track at Helix before the family moved to Mira Mesa.

“She was really tiny back then,” said Sinalei Talataina, Cathedral’s third baseman who has played with Trice since childhood.

“Even then, she was really fast and a consistent hitter. A single or a walk is like a double or triple for her. It’s nice that she’s in scoring position so often. It makes my job a lot easier.”

Dons center fielder Tyler Price is another good friend. Price and Trice had a routine of hugging one another at second base before the start of every inning.

“When I first met her, I already knew she was a leader because of the energy that she has,” Price said. “The IQ of her game is the highest on the team. And the encouragement she delivers to the team is very special.”

Trice’s mother, Cherylanda, went to every game and was the statistician for the Dons. She says her daughter is “a natural-born leader on the field. She gets respect because she gives respect.”

“Off the field, she’s often the go-to person for her friends,” Cherylanda added. “She’s really easy-going. She’s really driven. She’s great at setting goals and reaching them.”

Beware, however, about birthday cupcakes.

“If someone on the team brings cupcakes,” Talataina explained, “they’re in for the ‘Sereniti Smash’ — a cupcake in the face.”

Trice does like to have fun.

“She laughs at herself,” Cherylanda said. “She can be serious, too, but she usually is smiling and having fun. It’s been a blessing to see her grow into such an amazing young woman.

“She definitely stands out by not standing above. She may be tiny, but she plays and lives 6 feet tall.”

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Rosters