Pitcher/slugger Salazar has turned up the heat this season for the Clark Cougars. Photo by Marvin Pfeiffer

By Pat Turner
Contributing Writer

 E.J. Salazar’s bat is sizzling.

Since the beginning of the year and throughout the first round of District 28-5A play, the Clark junior has been on a tear in helping the Cougars to a 14-3-1 season record and 6-1 league mark. Carrying a potent bat is nothing new for the pitcher-middle infielder.

Thanks to a slight adjustment, things are going smoother.

The alteration has nothing do with a new stance or the way he holds the bat. In Salazar’s case, the power of positive thinking is providing the biggest pop.

Salazar goes to the plate confident about making something happen. If it doesn’t go that way, he vows to come back stronger the next time.    

Evidently, there hasn’t been too many down times as the junior owns a .390 batting average, coupled with seven doubles, three home runs and 24 RBIs. When there are slumps, he stays positive.

“I‘ve been working a lot on my game,” Salazar said.

“I’ve learned to be patient when up there, but I also remember to have fun. You can’t be frustrated when you’re at bat, or it could hurt the next time you come up.

“I used to think I had to get a hit every time and that was a pressure thing. I realize that’s not going to happen. You might go up there and get only three hits in 10 at bats. But that’s still successful. If you don’t get a hit, you have to remember there are going to be other chances. You have to be relaxed and stay focused.”

 Salazar seemed at ease at the plate in this past week’s 28-5A 6-4 win over  Del Rio.

 He started the game with a two-run homer that helped Clark to a 4-0 lead. The Clark junior also started strong on the mound, before Del Rio staged  a late rally to send the game into extra innings.

Seeing a four-run lead evaporate didn’t seem to discourage Salazar as he came through with a bloop single that set up Joseph Ybarra’s double during Clark’s winning two-run burst in the eighth inning.

“I wanted to do well in district this year,” Salazar said. “That’s where I struggled last year. I was hitting the ball, but when district came I didn’t do that well. It means a lot to help the team this year.”

Salazar’s versatility gives Clark a nice situation.  He and Cameron Dullnig make a sharp one-two pitching rotation.

When Dullnig is on the mound, Salazar handles shortstop.  If there is another pitcher working, Dullnig is stationed at shortstop and Salazar moves to second.

Playing any of the positions are fine with Salazar.

He wants to contribute.

“We want to keep his bat in the lineup,” Clark coach Luke Pantuso said. “He is extremely talented. He still has things to work on like any other player, but he’s willing to do that. He is working at become a good teammate. He is getting better all the time.”

Things are looking promising for the Cougars in district play. They took a stumble against O’Connor, but bounced back with three wins. Salazar believes things will continue to fall in Clark’s corner as long as the Cougars keep the team unity intact.

“We all love the game, and you have to have that,” Salazar said. “We have great team chemistry. We’re friends, and that makes it easier to play.”