Serrano committed to building at UCI

Nine days after his program capped a storybook season that culminated in it’s debut appearance in the College World Series, UC Irvine baseball coach Dave Serrano said Friday that the offseason is still merely a concept.

“It has been a whirlwind,” Serrano said of the aftermath of a historic campaign in which the Anteaters (47-17-1) won the program’s first Division I Regional, Super Regional, and finished tied for third in Omaha, where their two dramatic extra-inning victories thrilled a national television audience and, as Serrano has said, put UCI baseball on the map.

“It has been crazy busy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Serrano, who has set about plans for his fourth year at the helm with his trademark enthusiasm. “I’ve been having a lot of meetings and returning a lot of e-mails and phone calls. I know doing all this was because of the great year we had and I’ll take it.”

Serrano said he would also like to take the opportunity to dispel speculation that he might be lured away any time soon by another coaching job.

“For my family situation and my situation here at UCI, the job isn’t done yet,” Serrano said. “This is my home and I want to build something here. We’re in the process of doing that and I’m excited about what the future brings here. I love this place, love living in the community, love the university and, most important, I love these players and [assistant] coaches. I’ll never say never [in regard to leaving], but it would take something pretty special to pry me away. I want to make this home for awhile and continue to prove to people that with hard work, you can do almost anything.

“I don’t think a lot of people will doubt that we can have success any more, and with that comes expectations, which is a good thing. I want people to walk through the gates of Anteater Ballpark expecting to go to Omaha.”

Speculation about Serrano leaving centered around Tennessee, where he was pitching coach and recruiting coordinator under Rod Delmonico in 1995-96. Delmonico was fired June 3 after 18 seasons.

But Tennessee announced on June 21, the day after UCI was eliminated in Omaha, it had hired former Western Carolina Coach Todd Raleigh to replace Delmonico.

Serrano said he has received congratulatory words from members of the community and the university, as well as many alumni. He said correspondence from UCI faculty members has been particularly gratifying.

“What has pleased me the most is to see how many of the professors and faculty members have talked about how proud they are of this team and what it accomplished,” Serrano said.

“Not to take away from the success of Coach [John] Speraw and what the men’s volleyball team did [winning the NCAA championship on May 5], but in my view, [the baseball postseason run] is one of the greatest things that ever happened to UC Irvine. I’m very proud of that.”

Serrano also takes pride in the procession of eight players from this year’s team into the professional ranks. He said Bryan Petersen (chosen in the fourth round by the Florida Marlins) and Cody Cipriano (ninth round, Tampa Bay Devil Rays) have signed contracts and will be reporting to their respective teams soon.

Wes Etheridge (Brewers), Taylor Holiday and Matt Morris (Yankees), Tyler Vaughn (Mets), and Dylan Axelrod (Padres) have already reported to their respective minor league teams.

Serrano said Blair Erickson, the NCAA career saves leader with 53, is still finalizing contract details with the Minnesota Twins organization, and is expected to sign.

Serrano said catcher Aaron Lowenstein, a redshirt junior who was not drafted, had pondered signing as a free agent. But Lowenstein changed his mind and has committed to returning to play next season for the Anteaters.

Serrano said that in addition to competing for a national championship next season, his focus is on making improvements to Anteater Ballpark that will increase the program’s chances of hosting a Regional.

He also said he would like to create a “wall of champions” on the facing of Newkirk Pavilion, which houses the program’s clubhouse and coaching offices and overlooks the third-base dugout at Anteater Ballpark.

Serrano said he would like to create displays that list the years of Big West Conference championships, as well as NCAA Regional and College World Series appearances. Regional, Super Regional and College World Series titles would also be recognized in this space.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.