The Nucla Mustang baseball team, a combined team of Nucla and Norwood high school kids, had a record of 7-8 as of press time Tuesday morning, but head coach Randy Gabriel was hoping for wins later on Tuesday afternoon against Ignacio. The guys were set to play their last home game of the season in a double-header at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
This Friday, the guys head to districts to again face Ignacio, which is considered a tough team.
“Yes, they’re pretty good,” Gabriel said.
The Mustangs were slated to play Antonito in district play, while Dove Creek had a bye. Still, there was a chance that Dove Creek could have to face Centennial. Assistant coach and athletic director Kelly Arnold was working on the details of that other game, but it was not known as of press time. Gabriel said there was some organization issue with teams in the valley.
The winner of this Friday’s game, Nucla versus Antonita, will play Dove Creek — or the winner of Dove Creek versus Centennial.
Incidentally, Dove Creek is the only 1A team that Nucla plays.
Gabriel has said repeatedly this season the Mustangs are a young team. The hitting has improved, and they guys are not striking out as much. They are putting the ball in play at least.
“We are starting to play better,” he said “We still make too many errors.”
Coach said the Mustangs need to play about 50 games this season — not just 15.
Starting pitchers are P.J. Hulst and Steele Arnold, with Brycen Rummel and Jake Hulst as relief. Catcher is Owen Tackett. Paxtin Caruso is first-baseman.
Gabriel said was hoping for two wins on Tuesday and two wins on Friday.
“We’ll see which team shows up,” he said.
If the guys advance this weekend in district play, they’ll compete in the regionals next weekend. The Top 4 teams then go to four different sites for a total of 16 teams competing at a chance for the state tournament. Coach said the Mustangs will have to win both games, or their record won’t be good enough to move on.
Regardless, Tuesday’s game was the last home game for senior P.J. Hulst.
“We appreciate him traveling every day from Telluride,” Gabriel said. “It’s a huge commitment. We will miss him.”
Gabriel said all the guys have done a lot of growing up along the way this year.
“Yes, they work hard,” he said. “And we will have everyone back next year.”
He said the team is now just going with “what they’ve got” for the end of the season and will not make any excuses.
Coach’s son, Will Gabriel who is a pitcher for UC-Colorado Springs also finishes his season this weekend. UCCS will have to win three of four games this weekend against the Colorado School of Mines to advance to their tournament in college baseball.
In his free time, coach watches the Colorado Rockies.
“I’m a home state guy,” he said.
