ENID — Every time Miguel Bretado comes to the plate, he’s greeted by the Latin rhythm “Suavemente’’ on the public address system.

“I have to keep that going, that’s been my song since I was a freshman,’’ said the Enid third baseman-pitcher who will be leading the Plainsmen against No. 7 Edmond Memorial (10-4) at 7 tonight at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

Bretado had listened to the song as a young boy, but was inspired by it during the Plainsmen’s spring break trip to Arizona a few years ago.

He watched an Hispanic player go 3-for-4 in an Arizona-Arizona State game.

“They had that song playing for him every time,’’ Bretado said. “I remember listening to it when I was younger, so I brought it back to Arizona.’’

The song has worked well.

Bretado will take a .345 batting average with two doubles, a triple, a home run and a team-high 12 RBI into tonight’s game.

“He’s seeing the ball real well,’’ said Enid coach James Peoples. “He really works hard and plays hard. I’ll hate to see him graduate because he’s such a good kid.’’

Bretado has made several adjustments as a senior moving from catcher to third base and recently was moved from No. 1 to No. 5 in the batting order.

He had always seen himself as a leader since he was the starting catcher last season.

“I have a bigger role now,’’ he said. “Your expectations are a little more when you’re a senior. When the job needs to be done, I’ve done it.’’

He has welcomed the move to third because his legs are fresher. The position, he said, requires quicker reactions than playing second or short where it’s “more timing.’’

Bretado played shortstop this summer on the Enid state runner-up AAA team. His versatility, Peoples said, has given the Enid coaching staff more options.

“I’ll play anywhere,’’ Bretado said.

Bretado will be making his second start of the season on the mound Friday when Enid goes to Centennial Conference rival Bartlesville for a 4:30 p.m. doubleheader.

He has a 3.89 ERA with five strikeouts and eight walks in nine innings. Bretado has earned a reputation for being a battler on the mound.

“I love pitching,’’ he said. “It’s just me against the batter. I’ll compete against anybody. I don’t care who it is. I’ll compete against anything and everything.’’

Bretado has been able to get batters out with off-season stuff.

“I’ll throw 80 (miles per hour) one pitch and 72 the next pitch,’’ he said. “That keeps batters off balance.’’

He takes a catcher’s mentality to the mound.

“I’ll take notes on hitters,’’ he said. “I look to see if a guy is late on a pitch or is going for a dirt ball. I always look to see what he did in his last at bat.’’

Bretado’s leadership skills were seen during last week’s Gladys Winters Memorial Tournament. The Plainsmen blew a 6-0 lead to Yukon in a 8-7 loss March 25. Enid came back with back-to-back wins over Midwest City and Edmond North.

“I feel like we’re growing up and maturing,’’ said Bretado of the 6-5 Plainsmen. “Those games (Yukon loss) happen. It’s baseball. You win some and lose some. Coach Peoples tell us we have to forget that loss and play again.’’

Bretado will be motivated against the Bulldogs, who beat the Plainsmen twice in the championship round of the AAA state tournament, the first being a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat.

“Mike Phillips (Enid’s starting pitcher tonight) threw a good game,’’ Bretado said. “We just didn’t swing the bats. We have to get them back.’’

Bretado started in football, but says “baseball is my life.’’ His long-term goal is to get a baseball scholarship. No one has offered yet, but Peoples is getting his name out.

“Hopefully, somebody will talk to me soon,’’ he said.

Bretado had a smooth transition to Peoples going from assistant to head coach this spring at EHS.

“He’s been coaching me since I was in the seventh grade,’’ Bretado said. “I know what he expects out of me. He’s a great coach. He keeps going up and up.’’

Phillips will take a 2-2 record and a 3.36 ERA against the Bulldogs. Bretado and Christian Lafontan (1-0, 4.67 ERA) will pitch against Bartlesville. Peoples is undecided about his starter for Saturday’s 2 p.m. game at No. 8 Putnam City North (10-4).

The Plainsmen are ranked No. 16 in this week’s 6A OKRankings.com poll. EHS saw its team batting average go up from .257 to .276 at the Winters Tournament.

“This is a great chance for us to move up,’’ Peoples said. “All we have to do is take care of business and win games.’’

KCRC (1390 AM) will broadcast all four games.