The Nucla Mustangs will venture away from home to take on the Ignacio Bobcats at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Nucla has given up an average of 6.8 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Nucla is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering La Veta just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Saturday. They took an 11-8 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Redhawks.
Paxtin Caruso
| 04/11/25 @ Antonito | 3 |
| 04/19/25 vs La Veta | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Grand Valley | 2 |
| 04/15/25 vs Dolores | 2 |
| 04/15/25 vs Dolores | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Paxtin Caruso was cooking despite his team's loss, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. He has become a key player for Nucla: the team is 5-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 2-4 otherwise. Coulter Shumway also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Meanwhile, Ignacio came tearing into Monday's contest with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They skirted past the Bulldogs 10-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Bobcats have posted since May 18, 2024.
Ignacio let Ambrose V and William M run wild. V went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, four runs, and one double, while M got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. With that strong performance, M is now averaging an impressive 1.2 stolen bases per game. Stoney W was another key player, going 3-for-5 with three doubles, two runs, and one RBI.
Ignacio was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .382. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .321 or higher in eight consecutive matchups.
Ignacio's win bumped their record up to 8-3. As for Nucla, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-5.
Tuesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Nucla has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .448. However, it's not like Ignacio struggles in that department as they've averaged .488. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Nucla came out on top in a nail-biter against Ignacio in their previous matchup two weeks ago, sneaking past 4-3. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Mustangs since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
