Elliott Swings to Take Away Sting : 3-A playoffs: Tustin shortstop went through a 1-for-20 slump last season. This year, he’s determined to change that, and win the Southern Section title.

Zach Elliott paused toward the end of an interview, turned to Tustin High School baseball Coach Vince Brown and asked, “Coach, where’s our CIF championship game this year? Dodger Stadium or Anaheim?

Now that’s confidence.

Tustin (18-7) travels to El Centro today for its second-round game at 3 p.m. against host Central Union. There are still three of rounds of competition before any plans can be made for the Southern Section Division 3-A championship game June 6 at Anaheim Stadium. But Elliott has a reason for being so optimistic.

Elliott, Tustin’s starting shortstop for the past two seasons, had more hits in the Tillers’ 7-1 first-round victory Friday over Pico Rivera El Rancho than he did last year in four playoff games.

Last season, Elliott struggled through a 1-for-20 slump as Tustin advanced to the semifinals before losing to La Mirada, 3-2. Determined to make amends, he opened the postseason Friday with two singles and two runs scored against El Rancho.

“It was the first slump I’ve ever gone through at Tustin, and I had to pick the playoffs,” Elliott said. “I don’t ever want to have to go through that again.”

Elliott’s success at the plate often has a huge impact--positive or negative--on the team’s chances of winning, according to Brown. So much so that Brown moved his top player from leadoff to third in the batting order.

“If he opened the game with a hit, the team seemed to explode,” Brown said. “If he struck out, it seemed like we didn’t score until the fourth or fifth inning. Everybody feeds off Zach.

“So I moved him to third in the lineup where it isn’t so important whether he gets on base or not, and he responded by hitting .419 and leading the team in virtually every hitting category.

“Zach is one of the premier players in the county. He’s the total package, although some may question his speed. What makes Zach so good is his consistency. He’s never too high or too low.”

But Elliott admits he reached the low point in his three-year varsity career while playing Turlock for third place in the Upper Deck Classic in April. Tustin held a 7-0 lead after four innings but lost, 8-7.

“We learned a big lesson in that tournament,” he said. “We have to stay focused in every inning of every game. Last year, we had so much raw talent, we could turn it on or off whenever we wanted to.

“This is a different team. Everyone has a role to play and a job to do. The team wasn’t comfortable with me batting leadoff. Leadoff wasn’t right for me. I’m a first-pitch hitter, and I wasn’t getting a lot of walks.

“Now, batting third, I get more chances with guys in scoring position. I think I’m a better hitter with guys on base. I concentrate more with runners on base.”

Elliott has been concentrating specifically on the sport of baseball since he quit playing basketball after his sophomore year. He was a varsity starter as a sophomore but said playing two sports year-round was time-consuming and tedious.

“It got to the point where basketball wasn’t much fun any more,” he said. “Of course, I quit the team and the next year Tustin wins the state (Division II) championship.”

Still, Elliott’s decision paid off. He has signed a national letter of intent to attend UC Santa Barbara this fall after rejecting offers from Notre Dame, USC and Cal State Long Beach. Elliott, who will graduate with a 3.4 grade-point average, plans to major in business.

“I think I can play there right away,” he said. “They lose their second baseman (Elliott’s natural position), which appealed to me. I also liked the academics, the area, the beach and the baseball conference (Big West) that Santa Barbara plays in.”

Over three seasons, Elliott has formed a close relationship with Brown, and answered a questionnaire by listing Brown as the person he most admires.

Should Tustin advance to the 3-A title game, Elliott has struck an agreement with his coach.

“The guys on the team all bought earrings before the season started and Coach Brown agreed that he would wear one if we get to the finals,” Elliott said.

Said Brown: “I’ll wear anything just to get back to the finals.”