ENID — Seth Floyd has plenty of reasons to be motivated for the Class 6A regional baseball tournament at Owasso, which begins today with a 4 p.m. game against Midwest City.

• He wants to make a third straight trip to state.

• He wants a chance to avenge losses to defending state champion Owasso, which eliminated EHS at the 2008 and 2009 state tournaments.

• He wants to go out a winner.

But he’s playing in the memory of his maternal grandfather, Billy Hubbard, who died in Alabama in March.

Floyd has pleasant memories of trips to Alabama, where the family shot off fireworks and shared his grandfather’s passion for Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves.

“It’s a little bit of a motivational thing for me,’’ Floyd said. “I lost my other grandfather two years ago. It’s pushed me to do better and work hard for them.’’

Ironically, Hubbard was able to see his grandson play at the Oklahoma-Alabama Challenge a few weeks earlier. His death was sudden.

“I’m glad we went to Alabama this year or I wouldn’t have gotten to see him,’’ Floyd said. “He didn’t get to see me play much in high school. It was nice he got to see me play my senior year.

“It was a really hard loss for us to take, but we got through it. Hopefully, I’ll keep playing hard for him.’’

Floyd, the night he got back from his grandfather’s funeral, went 4-for-4 with a home run, triple and a single in a 12-2 run-rule win over Edmond North. The homer was the first of his high school career.

“I felt I was playing for him that night,’’ he said. “It felt great.’’

Floyd leads the Plainsmen with a .435 batting average with two home runs, seven doubles, four triples and 23 RBI.

The Plainsmen enter the playoffs with a 17-14 record. EHS, a year ago, beat perennial power Broken Arrow twice in the regional finals on the Tigers’ home field.

The Enid-Midwest City winner will play the Owasso-U.S. Grant winner at 4 p.m. Thursday. The losers play an elimination game at 6:30 tonight.

“I like our chances,’’ he said.

“Owasso is a good team, but we’re a good team when we’re playing well. I’m excited about it.’’

The Rams beat Enid 15-2 in an elimination game last season and 6-3 in the 2009 semifinals.

“If we can beat Owasso and keep them from going to the state championships, that would be something else,’’ Floyd said.

Floyd is encouraged the Plainsmen last year peaked at state as an underdog.

“Everybody is 0-0 right now,’’ he said. “We’ll see if we can play our best ball and get to the state tournament.’

Floyd has swung a big bat for the Plainsmen throughout his career. He hit .409 with 34 RBI as a junior and .363 with 12 RBI as a sophomore.

His goal this season was to hit .450.

“I’ve been working a lot in the cage,’’ he said. “Since I don’t play another sport, I focus all the time on baseball. Coach (James) Peoples has helped me a lot. I went to a hitting camp in Oklahoma City, which helped me a lot.’’

Floyd, Miguel Bretado and Erick Ramirez were the only full-time returning starters from the 2009 team. Floyd tried to be more of a leader.

“It’s  Mikey’s, Eddie’s and my job to get the team to the state tournament,’’ he said.

“I hope I’m a leader by example,’’ he said. “I hope I set an example about I how I play. I always try to do my best.

“I like to keep it loose in the dugout. There’s no reason to be uptight and yelling at people all the time. You got to go out and have fun.’’

That’s what his parents told him to do for his senior year.

“They told me to enjoy it while I could,’’ he said. “It got here quicker than I thought, but I’m glad it’s here.’’

He’s proud of the power he’s shown.

“I  probably would have had a few more homers if it wasn’t for the wind,’’ he said.

Floyd has gotten offers from junior college powers such as Western Oklahoma State, Independence (Kan.) and Hutchison (Kan.).

Western gave a good recruiting pitch Sunday. Floyd watched the Pioneers sweep a doubleheader from Northern Oklahoma Col-lege Enid.

Floyd’s brother, Zac, pitched two years for Western.

“It’s probably between Western and Hutch,’’ Floyd said.

“They both have good teams. Western certainly put on a hitting display here. Zac said he liked it over there.

“He told me I would have to work hard but I’m willing to work as hard as I can to make the next level.’’

Going to three state tournaments would add to his legacy.

“It’s sad it’s coming to an end,’’ Floyd said. “I would be happy if we can get to state again. If we do, I’ll have no regrets.’’

Peoples said he will be sorry to see Floyd go.

“He’s swung the bat well for us all season,’’ he said. “He’s done a great job at shortstop. He’s been a good leader. He’s one of those kids that will have to step it up for us.’’

Mike Phillips (6-4, 2.38 ERA) will pitch against Midwest City. Christian Lafontan (5-2, 3.23 ERA) will start on the mound in the second game.