BY TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
McALLEN — Forgive Luis Keola Zamora if the four-year varsity starter has not hit a home run this year.
He hasn’t had to.
The McAllen High second baseman has started his final campaign on a torrid pace at the plate, helping the Bulldogs jump out to a 16-2 overall record and a tie at the top of the District 30-6A standings at 4-0.
Through 17 games the, Bulldogs’ leadoff hitter is batting a whopping .511 from the plate with a scary .723 slugging percentage. And the 5-foot-8, 155-pounder isn’t just rapping singles, Zamora is hitting with power, minus the homers.
Zamora has hammered out 24 hits in 47 at-bats, scored 20 runs and knocked 14 RBIs. He has four doubles and three triples, and to top it off, he’s been walked a team-leading eight times. He leads the team in almost every offensive statistical category, and last year’s All-Area First Team selection has improved markedly over 2016. He finished last season batting .297 with just 12 RBIs.
“He’s always been a hard worker, and he takes his work very seriously,” McAllen High coach Eliseo Pompa said. “I think he’s been swinging at strikes and not been swinging at bad pitches. We’ve told him to slow down and put the ball into play. A good leadoff hitter gets on (base) any way they can.”
And Zamora, outside of a few overzealous swings for the fence, has done exactly that. Through the first 15 games, Zamora made 59 plate appearances and got on base 36 times. He said he’s waiting on “my pitches.”
That sort of production, and discipline, from the leadoff position is what coaches dream of. Zamora has also stolen six bases (tied for the team lead). Pompa said that Zamora’s outstanding quickness is a huge attribute, but he added that each year the senior has become a better all-around baseball player, and smarter, because of his commitment and work ethic.
“He’s kind of sparked our spark so to speak,” Pompa said, snapping his fingers quickly. “His speed is one thing, but he doesn’t strike much, either.”
Zamora, who has struck out just five times in the 52 plate appearances, said baseball is coming a little easier to him now, but it wasn’t always that way. He’s taken strides year after year to get better. Being on varsity as a freshman was quite leap from playing club ball.
“It was all new to me, because I had to learn from the older guys how the ballclub goes,” said Zamora, who added that Pompa encouraged him not to back down from the upper classman.
He settled in at second base about halfway through his freshman year and hasn’t moved since.
Zamora’s role is different now. He’s an elder statesman. He’s a leader and an example. Pompa said he appreciates what the senior does for the ballclub. Zamora sees it, too.
“What has changed the most for me is leadership,” Zamora said. “Now, everybody counts on me to lead the team, to let them know what to do. Especially the younger guys.”
Zamora isn’t a big talker. But why talk when you lead by example? You don’t need to say much when you’re batting over .500 and lead a 14-2 team in RBIs, hits and runs scored with a .957 fielding percentage.
Who cares about home runs?