If theres one thing Eiji Sawamura has learned during his second season at Odessa College, its the value of self-trust when stepping up to the plate. This crucial insight has been pivotal for the sophomore outfielder from Tokyo, who has transitioned from a pull-happy hitter to a more well-rounded batter.

Last season, Sawamura struggled with consistency, finishing the year with 26 hits and a batting average of .325. However, this year, he has made significant strides, currently boasting 37 hits and a remarkable average of .363, along with 28 RBIs. This improvement not only reflects his personal growth but also plays a vital role in the success of the Odessa College Wranglers this season.

Reflecting on his progress, Sawamura shared, Coach (David) Woods been telling me to just trust myself. So I just keep it simple and I also work with a shortstop every day at practice. During batting practice, I just hit to the shortstop. His dedication to honing his skills and his coachs guidance has clearly paid off, as Sawamuras performance has helped the Wranglers contend for the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) title.

Currently, Odessa College holds a strong record of 35 wins and 13 losses overall, with a commendable 27 wins and 5 losses in the WJCAC. The team is on the verge of an exciting showdown against the second-place New Mexico Junior College, who have a record of 36-15 overall and 26-6 in conference play. This pivotal four-game series kicks off with a doubleheader on Thursday at noon at Wrangler Ballpark, followed by another doubleheader in Hobbs, New Mexico, at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Coach David Woods primary objective for Sawamura has been to help him recognize and embrace his strengths as a batter. We wanted him to understand that his strength was staying on the ball and utilizing the big part of the field. Hes also adept at bunting, which adds another dimension to his game, Wood noted. Initially, he struggled with some mental blocks, not fully trusting his approach during practice and games. Now that Sawamura is witnessing positive results, his faith in the process has strengthened significantly.

"Every time he gets in the box, Im shouting at him to trust himself, Wood explained. I just yell trust, and hes starting to believe in that more. This newfound confidence has been exemplified in memorable moments, such as his walk-off hit against Western Texas College on March 28, which marked Sawamuras first-ever walk-off in his baseball career. It was just incredible, a crazy moment for me, he recalled, beaming at the memory.

Comparing this season to the last, Sawamura feels that the contrast is stark. The previous year saw the Wranglers finishing with a subpar 27-28 record, leading to their absence from the Region V Tournament. However, with a new coaching strategy and enhanced team dynamics, the current season tells a different story. Last year, we were enjoying baseball but didnt win much, he said. This year, we have a coach who is determined to win, and right now, were at the top of our conference. Im just following his guidance and playing my best baseball.

Growing up in Japan, Sawamura was inspired by the country's deep-rooted love for baseball, much like that in the United States. He recalls idolizing Ichiro Suzuki, the legendary outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, and now admires Shohei Ohtani. Ichiro was my favorite player growing up, and after I came over here, I started watching Shohei play. Id say they are my two favorite players, he remarked.

As the Wranglers prepare to face New Mexico Junior College, Sawamura is optimistic. I believe we can beat them. I think we can sweep them because we have a lot of confidence, he stated emphatically. We trust each other. I believe we have a great chance to succeed this week. We just need to go out and play our game.