Head coach for the Mustangs Randy Gabriel has said “it’s never over until the last pitch,” and the statement remains true. The guys are headed to the regional baseball tournament this weekend in Merino, Colorado. While the high school varsity baseball team — made up of both Nucla and Norwood guys — didn’t sweep district play, they won the first game, lost the second, and are still in the bracket.
Last Friday, May 3, the guys played Sierra Grande, and beat that team 11-6. Coach said that first game went well. Brycen Rummel started the game pitching, and later the Mustangs’ regular starter Steele Arnold was brought in. Jake Hulst closed it out.
“It’s the best our pitchers have thrown collectively,” he said. “Brycen and Jake threw real well, and of course, Steele.”
Gabriel also said that the guys’ second game was one of the best he’s seen in years. They lost to Dove Creek, one of their biggest rivals, in nine innings, 6-7. Though it was heartbreaking, everyone gave great effort.
He added the Nucla guys did leave 14 guys on base against Dove Creek, and that’s been the “Achilles heel” of the Mustangs.
“That’s what’s haunted us all year,” he said. “We can’t seem to get a big hit at the right time when we need it.”
Going forward, he said the guys need to not have so many errors. Against Dove Creek, the Mustangs were up and then had errors. He said while the guys can’t do that in their big games, it does happen.
He’s still proud.
“I have to commend them,” he said. “Both (teams’) fans were cheering, and overall it was a great game.”
And, the Mustang seniors were relieved to not have played their last game on the field. The soon-to-be gradates get a bit longer on the baseball field.
Dove Creek is now the No. 5 seed. They’ll likely face Simla in regional play. Coach thinks Nucla will play Merino, based on the rankings.
He remains hopeful, and said a few years ago, in 2018, the Mustangs beat No. 1 Cornerstone.
“You never know,” he said. “Baseball is a different sport, and we’ve got a good mindset … All we ever ask for is give great effort. Sometimes it’s not your day. Hopefully this weekend will be one of them.”
It will be a big practice week for the guys Monday through Thursday. Then the guys leave Friday for the regional tournament. Many of the details were being worked out over the weekend, and it is the host team’s job to organize the tournament.
Gabriel said he appreciated the Mustang fans over the weekend. And, the Nucla High School track team, also made up of Nucla and Norwood kids, went to cheer for baseball on their way to the Pagosa Springs tack meet.
He continues to say that the baseball team is made up of a great bunch of kids. He said the freshmen have stepped up, and the good things that coaches look for at this time of year are happening.
