Published: May 06, 2008 12:22 am            

Family support helps drive Enid High slugger Gonzalez

Zach Gonzalez had extra incentive when Enid hosted the Class 6A regional baseball championship last week at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

His father, Edwin, had come from Tampa, Fla., to see his son play for the first time since the younger Gonzalez was 12 years old.

Dad was a good-luck charm. Gonzalez was 6-for-13 with two home runs and eight RBI, including a three-run homer in Enid’s 14-4 win over Muskogee in the championship game.

“That put a little extra fire in me,’’ Gonzalez said. “It was an awesome feeling to have him there. I was really feeling good.’’

Gonzalez didn’t know his father would be coming until Edwin came by Gonzalez’s family’s house.

“I was trying real hard for him,’’ Gonzalez said. “The first home run I hit (Thursday against Muskogee), I gave it to him. That’s pretty special.’’

The elder Gonzalez was supposed to go home Sunday but got another week’s vacation to watch his son play in the Class 6A state tournament this week. The Plainsmen will face Yukon at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Claremore.

Gonzalez got to spend a month with his father in Tampa after he injured an ankle last summer that caused him to sit out a month.

“It’s pretty sad when I have to leave, knowing that I won’t be seeing him for another six months,’’ Gonzalez said.

His father added to the family support Gonzalez has had all season.

He is close to his stepfather, Kent Cotarelo, “who is like another father to me.’’

His mother, Sally, is his “biggest fan.’’ He has a younger brother and sister.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun having them all there,’’ Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez has given the family a lot to cheer about. He’s batting .382 with five home runs, 23 RBI and five doubles. He has a slugging percentage of .714.

“Zach can flat out hit,’’ said Enid coach Scott Baugh. “He’s done more than we could have asked for this season.’’

That’s saying something, since Gonzalez hit .378 with two home runs and 32 RBI as a sophomore and .356 with one home run and 23 RBI as a freshman.

“He’s matured a whole lot,’’ Baugh said. “He’s worked harder. I’m proud of how he’s developed and come into his own.’’

Gonzalez admitted he used to be “one of the lazier kids.’’

“I’m more mature now,’’ he said. “This year I’ve been trying to get colleges to look at me so I can play baseball there. I’m stronger and that helps. I know the strike zone better. I’m seeing better pitches.’’

Gonzalez missed two weeks with a fracture in his hand after being hit by a pitch in the Gladys Winters Tournament.

The layoff might have been a wakeup call for him.

“Since he’s come back, he’s played like he really relishes it,’’ Baugh said. “He hasn’t taken it for granted. He’s taken it like he’s gotten a second opportunity and he’s taken full advantage of it.’’

The two weeks sitting made Gonzalez hungrier. He got to hit a little in the batting cage but was reduced to an unaccustomed role as a cheerleader.

“Those two weeks were horrible,’’ Gonzalez said. “It was just the worst feeling. I came out ready to play.’’

Gonzalez said sitting out a month in the summer was difficult as well. He ended up playing for Enid’s Prairie League team.

Gonzalez is playing in his second state tournament. The Plainsmen qualified his freshmen year but went two and out after losses to Owasso and Bartlesville.

“It was a real good atmosphere and a lot of fun to play in,’’ he said. “It’s going to help me having been there before. I should do a lot better.’’

Gonzalez felt relieved after a 14-4 win over Muskogee that put EHS into the state tournament for the third time in four years. A year ago, Enid came into the regionals as the No. 1 seed but lost two straight.

Gonzalez said the Plainsmen were fired up when lead-off hitter John Dillingham was hit in the face by a pitch.

“That was the worst decision that they could have made,’’ he said. “It got us fired up. It got the crowd fired up. That was the loudest I’ve ever heard the stadium.’’

Gonzalez has a different attitude about state this season.

“I was happy to go as a freshman,’’ he said. “This year we have the players to win it. Yukon is pretty good. We’re going to have to go out and play good defense and hit the ball.’’

Gonzalez, after the state tournament, will be doing double duty. A starting linebacker in football, he will be involved in the summer off-season program. He will be playing American Legion baseball as well.

He has to be up for a 6:30 a.m. weightlifting session each day.

“I get tired and sore from lifting sometimes,’’ he said, “but it’s paid off for me quite a bit. It’s made me stronger and more mature.’’