Rolling the Dice: Gonzalez follows heart to Blue Devils

Everywhere Nathan Gonzalez turned, someone was offering an opinion.

Most of which weren't solicited.

He knew the arguments.

Despite the fact that he was unhappy in his freshman season at St. Mary's College, walking away from a Division I baseball scholarship was crazy in most people's eyes and they let Gonzalez hear it.

"Lots of people were talking, telling me it was a lot of money to walk away from," Gonzalez said. "There was nothing wrong with the St. Mary's coaches or program.

"I just wasn't ever comfortable there. It wasn't a good fit.

"And I was worried that I was giving up my only shot at playing Division I baseball, but I figured that if I didn't have the confidence in myself that I could do it again, I probably shouldn't keep pitching anyway."

Going with his gut panned out pretty well for Gonzalez.

In four starts with Merced College this season, the sophomore is 3-0 with a 2.28 earned run average.

Gonzalez has 23 strikeouts to just eight walks and has seamlessly moved into the roles of staff ace and team leader.

He's been so impressive in the early going, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has already locked him up for his final two years of eligibility.

"Going back a long time we've had quite a run of good pitchers," Blue Devils coach Chris Pedretti said. "Even just the last few years with Matt Stablefeld, Brian Gilbertson and Bradin Hagens, we've really been blessed.

"Nathan definitely gives us that. He pitched at St. Mary's last year, so he has the big time college experience.

"He's already experienced a lot and so when situations don't go his way, he doesn't get rattled out on the mound."

That mental fortitude makes Gonzalez the perfect choice to pitch under the lights tonight as MC (9-5) opens up its pivotal three-game series with Fresno City College (10-4) at 7 in Fresno.

The two teams enter the series tied for first in the Central Valley Conference at 6-0.

While the CVC won't be decided this week, history says the winner of this three-game set has the inside track to the title.

"It's a great honor just to be a part of this rivalry," Gonzalez said. "I used to come and watch these games when I was in high school, so I know exactly what's at stake.

"I love the atmosphere. I love the big crowds and the energy.

"Who wouldn't want to pitch in that situation?"

Built like a thinner version of Los Angeles pitcher Chad Billingsley, Gonzalez's 6-foot, 2-inch, 215-pound frame cries out power pitcher.

Blessed with tree trunks for legs, he likes to challenge hitters early and often with his fastball.

"If you chart my pitches, probably 90 percent of my pitches are fastballs," Gonzalez said. "I'm confident throwing it anytime and in any situation.

"But I'm really trying to use my time at Merced College to put some polish on all of my pitches."

With the help of Pedretti and MC pitching coach Nate Devine, Gonzalez has been doing just that.

Freshman catcher Michael Stewart said when the hurler is on, it's a thing of beauty.

"It can be pretty simple for me when Nate is pitching," Stewart said. "He's a smart guy that knows what to throw and when to throw it.

"He hits his spots with 90 to 95 percent accuracy, so it makes my job pretty easy."

Gonzalez and fellow sophomore pitcher Shawn Stuart (3-1) have combined to give Pedretti a nice 1-2 punch while the rest of his young staff develops.

If MC is going to get over the hump of back-to-back surprising first-round exits from the playoffs, the two will have to continue shouldering the load.

"I knew if I came to Merced College I'd have the opportunity to keep getting better and to compete for a state title," Gonzalez said. "This is a great place to play baseball, because we work hard, but we also have fun while we're doing it.

"Lots of people still think I made a mistake leaving St. Mary's, but I know I made the right decision."

Sean Lynch is a Sun-Star sports writer. He can be reached at 385-2476 or via e-mail at slynch@mercedsun-star.com.