Athlete of the Week: Zach Chamizo keeps Sierra baseball's win streak alive with walk-off grand slam

It was less than a year ago that Zach Chamizo helped lead the Lincoln Potters to the West Coast World Series. Now, in 2023, the Lincoln High 2020 alumnus is leading another baseball team, the Sierra College Wolverines. The Wolverines are currently on a six-game win streak at 20-7 but their winning streak wouldn't still be alive if it weren't for Chamizo, who hit a walk-off grand slam in the 8-6 win over Cosumnes River College last Friday. Down 6-4, Chamizo stepped to the plate and hit a rocket over the right field fence to give Sierra College its 19th win of the season. Chamizo is currently second on the team with a .361 batting average while hitting three home runs and totaling 27 runs batted in. He also recently committed to continuing his athletic career at the University of California at Riverside. The Lincoln News Messenger asked Chamizo some questions and his answers follow. What is the best part about playing baseball at Sierra College? Chamizo: "The best part about playing at Sierra College is my teammates. This is the closest-knit group of guys I've ever played with and I am lucky to have played with them for these past two years. We make each other better every day because we want to see each other succeed." You hit a game-winning grand slam last Friday against Cosumnes River College to keep your winning streak alive. Two-part question, first, what were you seeing on that pitch and second, how did it feel when you rounded third and made it to home plate to celebrate with your teammates? Chamizo: "I was looking for a pitch to elevate early in the count as he was trying to get ahead. I saw an elevated fastball on the inside part of the plate and executed the plan perfectly. Coming around third, there was nothing but complete joy being able to see my guys at home plate. I never hit a walk off before so it was fun to experience the chaos that happens after." You played for the Lincoln Potters over the summer. What do you feel have been some of your biggest improvements since last year? Chamizo: "Playing for the Potters helped me make big strides on the hitting and mental side as we faced some really good pitching and had some great coaches that really understood what we needed." You recently committed to the University of California at Riverside to continue your baseball career after this season. How exciting is it to be committed to a four-year school? Chamizo: "Being committed to UCR has been a relief and a blessing for me and my family. I'm happy to be able to play at such a nice school and I have Sierra College to thank for that." What are some of your biggest goals for the rest of the season? Chamizo: "Our biggest goal for the rest of the season is to win a Big 8 Championship and then to go win the State Championship. It's not going to be easy but we have had this goal since September." What are your biggest long-term goals for your baseball career? Chamizo: "My biggest long term goal is to continue playing good enough to one day make it to the MLB." Did any of your family members play sports and if so, who and at what levels? Chamizo: "My mom played junior college softball at American River College and my dad was a really good baseball player in high school and then went on to play slow pitch softball around the country, winning many tournaments including Worlds." Outside of school and playing football and volleyball, what do you like to do in your free time? Chamizo: "Outside of baseball, I like to hunt, fish and golf."