ENID — Erick Ramirez set a goal to hit .350 his senior season at Enid High School.

Pretty lofty ambitions for someone who hit .221 as a junior the season before.

The Plainsmen first baseman, though, is showing why he’s hitting clean-up, taking a .309 batting average with 14 RBI into tonight’s 5 p.m. game at Midwest City.

“I wish I could be doing better,’’ Ramirez said. “I’m never satisfied unless I go four-for-four.’’

Ramirez learned from his junior season of hard knocks.

“It was my first year to start on the varsity so I was a little nervous,’’ he said. “I’m more experienced. It’s a lot better now.’’

Ramirez savors hitting cleanup after hitting in the bottom of the order last season.

“I like it, sometimes,’’ he said with a smile. “I’m seeing a lot of curve balls.’’

His ability to hit the curve and the off-speed stuff is one reason he’s batting fourth, EHS coach James Peoples said.

“He goes away real well,’’ Peoples said. “That’s why he handles the 4-hole so well.’’

Ramirez had to make the difficult adjustment from going from second to first in Enid’s rebuilt infield.

“That’s not an easy transition,’’ Peoples said, “but he’s done it well.

“I prefer second, but as long as I’m playing, it’s all right,’’ Ramirez said. “The hardest adjustment is taking the wild throws. I’m always trying to keep those in front of me.’’

Ramirez, Miguel Bretado and Seth Floyd were the only full-time returning starters back from last year’s state tournament team.

Ramirez, Peoples said, has been a good leader on and off the field.

“I knew I had to do a lot better this season to help the team out since we lost a lot of players,’’ Ramirez said. “We needed guys to step up and I’ve tried to do that.’’

He tries to lead both by example and vocally.

“Miguel, Seth and I know we’re the leaders of the team,’’ Ramirez said. “All the guys look up to us. We have to set the example.’’

“He’s a great kid,’’ Peoples said. “He’s a great competitor. You hate to lose kids like that. He always has a smile on his face and works hard.’’

The Plainsmen, ranked No. 15 in the final coaches poll, will take a 13-10 record against the Bombers. Midwest City beat Enid 9-7 last week at the Stillwater Tournament.

“We owe them one,’’ Ramirez said.

Ramirez is determined to return to the state tournament. The Plainsmen won the Broken Arrow Regional as an underdog last season.

“We’re going to have to play the best ball we have all season to return to state,’’ Ramirez said. “We’re going to have to pick it up like coach Peoples said.’’

Ramirez’s favorite player is New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. His hobbies are hanging out with family and friends and going to casinos. At 18, he’s legal.

“I’ve kind of been in a slump there,’’ Ramirez said with a chuckle.

He hopes to play college baseball somewhere.

“It would be hard to give up baseball,’’ Ramirez said.

Christian Lafontan will be on the mound for EHS tonight. Tanner Leon is scheduled to pitch against Moore at 7 p.m. Friday at David Allen.

Mike Phillips is scheduled to pitch the first game of a noon Centennial Conference doubleheader with Sand Springs Saturday at David Allen. Phillips’ twin brother Joe might pitch the second game, Peoples said.

All the games can be heard on KCRC Radio (1390 AM).



ENID LEADERS



Hitting

Player            HR    RBI    Avg.

Floyd            2    21    .468

Baugh            0    7    .467

Bretado            2    23    .328

Enmeier            1    11    .324

LeGrant            0    12    .313

Ramirez            0    14    .309

Walker            0    13    .298

Black            0    9    .288

J. Phillips            3    7    .286

Team            10    122    .299



Pitching

Pitcher        W-L             ERA

M. Phillips        4-4        2.94

Keeling        1-1        3.06

Bretado        0-0        3.57

Lafontan        4-0        4.41

King        2-2        5.60

Leon        1-2        6.50

Team        13-10        4.17