ENID — A year ago, former Enid High baseball star Nick Rountree was playing at Redlands Community College and watching some Division I baseball on TV.

“I was watching Michael Rocha of OU on TV and seeing how good he was,’’ Rountree said.

That made March 11 so special for him.

With his father, Mark, in the stands, Rountree, now of Arkansas-Little Rock, hit his first-ever Division I homer off Rocha in a 11-4 loss to the Sooners in Norman.

“To be honest with you, it was a little surreal,’’ Rountree said. “Growing up OU and OSU were the places that I wanted to go to, obviously it didn’t work out that way, but I’m glad I got a chance to play against them.

“To get a home run, it was just crazy. Last year I was watching him (Rocha) on TV and now I was hitting a home run against him. It was really cool.’’

What was even cooler two days later was the Trojans handing the then No. 2-ranked Sooners their first loss of the season, 7-0

“For us to beat them on their home field was awesome,’’ Rountree said.

It was emotional for Rountree to hit his first home run in front of his dad, who has been his No. 1 fan for life.

“He’s done so much for me, inside and outside of baseball,’’ Rountree said. “To hit that first one in front of him was awesome.

“A couple of years ago I remember sitting in the stands at OU with him. I was on the other side (as a fan). To look up and see 1,500 people there (at OU) was surreal.’’

Last Wednesday, Rou-ntree and his teammates played Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Cowboys had to rally for a 9-6 victory after trailing 6-5 in the eighth.

“We had it in our grasp,’’ Rountree said.

Rountree is finding both elation and frustration in his first season with the Trojans.

He’s hitting .323 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBI and only eight strikeouts in 137 total at bats as UALR’s cleanup hitter.

UALR was 16-21 after losing to Florida International Friday night.

“We could easily be 25-15,’’ Rountree said. “We have lost a lot of one-run and two-run games. Our schedule has really been stacked. Our strength of schedule is in the top 40.’’

Rountree has had success at every level. He batted .410 with 17 homers and 65 at Redlands as a sophomore and .370 with six homers and 50 RBI as a freshman.

He earned All-State honors as a senior with the Plainsmen after hitting .440 with six homers and 50 RBI.

Still, Division I was a different animal.

“It’s been a big adjustment coming from junior college,’’ he said. “All of the pitchers are outstanding at this level. I’ve been trying to put some good swings on the ball. I’ve been lucky that I have had some hits fall for me.’’

He had some struggles early.

“I just tried to stay positive,’’ Rountree said. “I realize you’re not going to get a hit every time. That’s why they put fielders out there. It’s been a lot of fun and a great experience for me.’’

He contributes his success to staying hungry and humble.

“It’s a business now,’’ Rountree said. “Everybody is here to win. For me to keep my spot, I have to keep working hard. You have to keep working hard just to stay in the lineup. It’s still a kid’s game, but I do see the business side of it now. I understand what I have to do.’’

Rountree has continued to adjust.

He has played some right field, a position he had not played before. Rountree continues to catch, a position he learned in Legion and junior college baseball.

“It’s been a neat experience,’’ he said. “I’m not the fastest guy out here. I have had to work hard on my reads and my routes to the ball. The main reason for that is the other catcher can hit, too. He’s a little bit more one dimensional. I’ve played other positions and I’m more adaptable.’’

He said he realizes his bat is what keeps him in the lineup. He is surprised to see himself as the team’s cleanup hitter.

“I just wanted to get in the lineup, let alone be in the middle of it,’’ he said. “I thought I could do it, but you have to humble yourself. I got lucky and got on a hot streak. I got to move up and I haven’t looked back. It’s fun.’’

Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey once said “luck is the residue of design.’’ The harder Rountree has worked, the luckier he’s been.

“If you’re not producing, you’re not playing at this level,’’ Rountree said.

Rountree on the Trojans’ pro day received an information letter from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He dreams of playing pro baseball, but right now sees himself returning to UALR for his senior year.

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,’’ Rountree said. “I only take it one day at a time. I’m looking to get better. Whatever happens in the future will take care of itself. I’m not worried about it.’’

Rountree has had to adjust his swing a little in Arkansas as opposed to playing in the high winds of Oklahoma.

UALR hitting coach Jeremy Haworth has had him go down on the ball more.

“The wind doesn’t blow like it does in Oklahoma, so you can’t get under the ball and knock it out,’’ Rountree said. “I’ve had to adjust. Coach Haworth has been a great coach for me.’’

He is hitting the ball more to the opposite field as part of his adjustment to Division I.

“You have to learn how to handle an off-speed pitch,’’ he said. “You can’t always pull it. I’ve learn to shoot the ball the other way and to stay shorter in my swing.’’

He is majoring in psychology and has been able to apply some of it to baseball. The class about anger control has been particularly helpful.

“I’ve learned ways of calming myself down and looking in the present,’’ he said. “If I make an out, you have to think you got three more at bats or two more at bats ... you still have a game to play in the field. I take things in stride more and not get as frustrated. I’m enjoying the game.’’

He especially has enjoyed Little Rock and the UALR campus. The campus sports several new buildings and has a “great workout facility.’’

“The baseball side has been fantastic,’’ he said. “The coaching staff is great. The trainers keep us healthy and stuff.’’

He is looking forward to playing against OU May 4 at the stadium of Little Rock’s Texas League team. The Trojans played Kansas there a year ago and drew a crowd of a couple of thousand fans.

He has a touch of home with him in new teammate Sean Bignall, who played the past two seasons at Northern Oklahoma College Enid.

Bignall is hitting .279 with two home runs and seven RBI. He has been hit by pitches 11 times.

“It’s been great having him at the top of the lineup,’’ Rountree said. “He’s doing a great job.’’