The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind.- Former Northwest Indiana Oilmen pitcher Enrique Zamora has started playing for the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League in 2017.

Zamora pitched for Northwest Indiana in 2015 and is considered to be one of the best pitchers in Oilmen history. Zamora only played one season with NWI and posted an ERA of 2.39 in 49 innings pitched, issuing 15 walks and striking out 55.

Zamora, who played in multiple collegiate leagues, felt like these leagues helped him become the player he is today.

“The best thing was that, besides playing in the Midwest collegiate league, I played in a couple different college leagues, and it definitely showed me the different diversity of talent throughout the country,” Zamora said, “I played one year in Colorado and I got a good west coast idea, then I played in the Midwest Collegiate league which showed me definitely a lot of Midwest talent. There were guys from Illinois and southern Indiana that were some pretty good ballplayers, then I also played in the Northwoods where you get guys from all over. It showed me what kind of talent was actually out there and opened my eyes to what I needed to do to be a better player.”

Enrique started college at Calumet College of St. Joseph in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference where he received all-CCAC honors two times. In 2016, Zamora would win a gold glove and CCAC Pitcher of the Year.

Zamora’s career took a hit when was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2016 MLB draft round just to be released by the team the following day after an MRI which made the Dodger’s reconsider. After being released, Zamora would not give up.

Zamora graduated from Calumet College of St. Joseph, but had one more year left of eligibility due to red-shirting one season. He was able to transfer schools to play at Reinhardt University. His one season at Reinhardt, Zamora posted a 1.73 ERA and an 8-0 record. These numbers were signs that Zamora's health was not an issue. 

Although the Dodgers were not interested, Zamora was not ready to end his baseball career. After the school year, he signed a contract with the Florence Freedom where he would meet up with someone he knew very well.

“My time with Florence has been awesome, actually it was great because when I first got here I connected with an old friend and someone who I’d watched play when I was a little younger Matt Pobereyko,” Enrique said. “He was here when I first got here and I got to watch him for about a week or so…he definitely showed me that it takes another level to compete at this level.”

Zamora is now on his own in Florence as Pobereyko's contract was picked up by the New York Mets orginization.

Pobreyko's departure has not seemed to hurt Enrique in Florence who currently holds an ERA of 3.37 in 24 innnings with 25 strikeouts. The former Oilman is just starting out his professional career, but all signs are pointing up for the big right hander.