Gavin Mestas and Tyler Ruetschle can add their names to the list of La Plata County players to suit up in the famed Connie Mack World Series.
The two baseball players from Durango High School will compete with the 4-C ClubSox when the host team out of Farmington begins bracket play Tuesday night at Ricketts Park. It is the 53rd CMWS held in Farmington, and some of the biggest names in the sport have spent the first week of August playing in the tournament known for bringing in some of the top amateur players across North America and Puerto Rico.
“This has always been a dream for me,” said Ruetschle, a 2017 DHS graduate who will play at Lamar Community College. “Connie Mack was always the goal as a kid, and I’ve always wanted to be part of it. To see it all come to fruition this year is special to me.”
Playing for the host team is a unique experience, as crowds are at their largest in the 6,100-plus seat stadium when fans show up to cheer on the local talent. When Mestas and Ruetschle step on the field Tuesday night, they will play in front of the largest crowd they’ve ever been in front of.
“I’m definitely a little nervous,” said Mestas, who will be a senior at DHS this fall, “but more excited than anything. I’ve been to a few Connie Mack games now, and it makes me want to be out there. I think I’m ready to go, and so is the team.”
The CMWS changed its format this year and now features 17 teams. The other 16 teams all played in pools beginning Saturday, and the host team received an automatic bid in the 10-team double-elimination bracket that will begin Tuesday. The host 4C-ClubSox will play its first game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ricketts Park.
The ClubSox defeated the Farmington Fuel in the championship game of the city tournament July 15 to qualify for the CMWS. The team went undefeated through the city tournament and won the championship on a walk-off hit.
“It was amazing,” said Ruetschle, whose cousin Adam played in the 2006 CMWS. “We faced a good pitcher, but we ran him up to his pitch count, and that swung the game in our favor. I was the last one on the dogpile and kind of rolled off. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Since then, the team hasn’t played a real game and has had to rely on scrimmages and practices to stay sharp. The team participated in the parade through downtown Farmington on Friday and the opening ceremonies later that night, taking their turn to be welcomed as heroes.
“When I was younger, I used to go to the parade and watch kids go by on floats,” Mestas said. “It’s crazy to think a few years later I’m doing it. Signing autographs for the kids and everything, it’s something special.”
The 4C-ClubSox are coached by Mike McGaha, the highly-successful coach of the Piedra Vista High School team in Farmington. It is McGaha’s first trip to the CMWS after starting the ClubSox team a few years ago. McGaha, who is well-known for his work with pitchers, has utilized Ruetschle as the team’s closer this year.
“He’s been an impact arm as a closer,” McGaha said. “He started some games for us and has done some middle-relief work, too. Where he’s been most effective and showed most value is when we need a guy to come in and close the door for three to five outs. Having a guy who is a pitcher-only to come in and do that has been a big benefit.”
Ruetschle has been strong with his upper-80 mph fastball and a quality slider. McGaha has also worked with him on his change-up, which has been a benefit to him when he pitches multiple innings.
Mestas has primarily been used at second base, though he has played games at shortstop and third base, too. While juggling preparation for the upcoming football season, Mestas has been the ultimate utility guy for the ClubSox.
“The kind of raw athleticism he brings and his versatility is big for us,” McGaha said. “He’s had some really big plays and got some big hits for us. He’s such an athletic kid.”
McGaha said Ruetschle, son of Anne Ruetschle, will stay in his closer role for the CMWS. He said Mestas, son of Gary and Malaika Mestas, could start in the infield or be assigned a bullpen role for the team’s first game, as a few injuries have mounted in the last week for the host team.
Sharing in the experience of a full summer of baseball has built a bond between Mestas and Ruetschle. They are eager for one more week together as the ClubSox try to become the first host team in CMWS history to win the tournament. Though they face an uphill battle against elite teams and players, they know it will teach them lessons for the rest of their lives.
“It’s been an unreal summer,” Mestas said. “We’ve learned so much from McGaha, the assistant coaches and the players. We’re going to play hard to represent Durango, our coaches, Farmington and play the best we can.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If you go
WHO: Midland (Ohio) Redskins vs. 4-C (Farmington) ClubSox
WHAT: Connie Mack World Series, bracket play Round 1
WHEN: 7:30 pm Tuesday
WHERE: Ricketts Park, Farmington
Listen Live: 88.9 FM Vertical Radio
More info: For advanced and reserved tickets, call the Farmington Recreation Center at (505) 599-1184.
General Admission tickets are available for sale 1 hour before game at the box office. No advance game tickets are available for sale.
Ticket prices are $4 for 18 years and younger and $5 for adult.
Occasionally reserved tickets are available; ask at box office for availability.
