The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – May 13, 2015 – The Oil City Stadium mound is already familiar territory for Calumet College junior Enrique Zamora.

The right-handed pitcher got his first taste of pitching at Oil City Stadium during his junior year at Clark High School, the first year of the stadium’s existence. He has called the downtown Whiting venue home each of the last three years while pitching for Calumet College.

Now, Zamora will also go to work there over the summer as a member of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen.

After spending his first two collegiate summers with out-of-town teams, including a stint with the Arvada Colts of the Rocky Mountain Baseball League in Colorado last year, Zamora is excited to play in front of hometown fans.

“Going to Colorado was a whole new world,” he said. “It was cool to be able to play against some of the big names out there. The Midwest is also a big baseball area and playing here, it will be nice to be able to represent the hometown and play against some great competition."

According to Calumet College coach Brian Nowakowski, Zamora has an A-plus fastball but needs to improve his command of off-speed pitches. A 90-plus mile per hour heater is what initially attracted Nowakowski to recruit the powerful arm.

“He definitely has the potential to be able to make it to the next level by being drafted into professional baseball, there’s no doubt in my mind about that,” Nowakowski said. “If he keeps up the hard work, he can get there.”

Zamora was the No. 1 starter for the Crimson Wave (14-29) this season, posting a 4-5 record and 3.81 ERA while striking out 63 and issuing 35 bases on balls.

Joe Romero, Zamora’s teammate at both Clark and Calumet College, holds the distinction of having launched the first home run in Oil City Stadium history while playing for the Pioneers.

Nowakowski raved about Zamora’s work ethic, good size and live arm.

“Right now, with the talent I have, I still consider myself raw,” Zamora said. “I’d like to improve on knowing what to do at certain times and what pitches to throw in certain situations. I’d like to be able to know the mental side of the game better.”

Zamora becomes the first Clark product to play for the Oilmen.

“At this point in my life, baseball is a huge part of it and I’m just doing everything I can to better myself,” he said. “It’s everybody’s dream to play at the next level, so I’ve got to give it all I’ve got now.”