March 20, 2011
San Antonio – Not one to soak up the limelight, St. Mary’s baseball coach Charlie Migl probably preferred his position during Sunday’s historic victories over the one he held afterward.
Cameras surrounded the legendary coach following a 4-0 victory over Angelo State, which gave him career win No. 900, and he was peppered with questions about what the milestone meant for his career.
Compare that to moments earlier, when he sat inside the No. 13 Rattlers’ dugout inside V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium and focused on what he does best: winning.
“You don’t get something like this done unless you have good players, good (assistant) coaches and the kind of administration we have,” said Migl, whose squad topped Angelo State 8-1 earlier in the day for his 899th victory. “I appreciate what the school has done for me.”
Migl, 900-419 in 25 years as St. Mary’s head coach, became just the 15th NCAA Division II baseball coach to clip the 900 mark, and is the fifth-winningest active coach in Division II baseball. Migl, whose Rattlers won the 2001 NCAA Division II national championship, has a chance to move to as high as No. 12 on the all-time list this season.
He rightfully credited everyone he has coached and worked alongside during the run, but there is no denying that the success is covered in his fingerprints.
And on Sunday, his players showed that Migl’s magical touch won’t be wearing off anytime soon.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning of Game 1, St. Mary’s scored eight unanswered runs to pound the Rams 8-1. Third baseman Reagan Moczygemba (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while shortstop Esteban Raygoza (Jr., San Antonio) drove in two runs.
Carl O’Neal (So., San Antonio) struck out seven in a complete-game four-hitter to improve to 3-2.
The Rattlers’ defense didn’t let up in Game 2, as the Heartland Conference leaders improved to 21-6 overall.
First baseman Tyler Migl (Jr., San Antonio) drove in two runs on a 2-for-4 outing, while centerfielder Billy Richard (So., Schertz, Texas) added an RBI and scored two runs. Star catcher Ryan Morrow (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) also drove in a run to help the Rattlers secure the 4-0 victory.
Skye Severns (Jr., Claremont, Calif.) improved to 4-0 by pitching six scoreless innings, while the Rattlers’ all-but-unhittable closer, Sammy Rivas (Sr., San Antonio), came in and shut the door on Angelo State with a scoreless seventh inning.
Rivas has yet to give up a run – earned or unearned – in 21 innings over 13 appearances this season.
Afterward, Migl was presented a signed game ball from outfielder Billy Richard. Countless other players, including Migl’s son, first baseman Tyler Migl, came to hug the coach.
“This just shows I’m getting older,” Charlie Migl joked.
All kidding aside, these sorts of moments will never get old for Migl and his Rattlers.
“I’m proud of these guys,” Migl said. “They get it done. It’s their deal. It may be on my name, but it’s their deal.”