The Nucla Mustangs will venture away from home to challenge the Dolores Bears at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Nucla proved they can win big on Friday (they won by 13) and on Monday they proved they can win the close ones too. They had just enough and edged out Grand Valley 10-9. The Mustangs haven't had any issues with the Cardinals recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.
Jackson McCabe
| 04/07/26 @ Ignacio | 5 |
| 04/03/26 vs Cedaredge | 4 |
| 03/24/26 @ Rangely | 2 |
| 03/19/26 @ Monticello | 2 |
| 04/13/26 vs Grand Valley | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Jonah Richardson and Jackson McCabe made a big impact while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Richardson tossed 3.2 innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, McCabe tossed 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Nucla is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 2-4 otherwise. At the plate, Richardson went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while McCabe went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Daniel Zunich and Jacob Davis did most of the damage at the plate: Zunich went 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base, while Davis went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most runs Zunich has posted since back in May of 2025.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Dolores ultimately got the result they hoped for on Saturday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Ignacio, sneaking past 11-10. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Bears have posted against the Bobcats since April 21, 2018.
Like Nucla, Dolores also got a great game from a two-way player: Gus Vaughn. On the mound, he struck out six batters over 4.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off nine hits (and only one walk). Vaughn was also big at the plate, going 3-for-6 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Dolores let Branson Lee and Levi Hampton run wild. Lee went 3-for-5 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Hampton got on base in four of his six plate appearances with three runs and one double. Kooper Thomas was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Dolores kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in four consecutive games.
Nucla's record is now 4-5. As for Dolores, their record now sits at 3-6.
Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Nucla hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .392. However, it's not like Dolores struggles in that department as they've averaged .323. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Nucla might still be hurting after the 24-6 defeat they got from Dolores in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
