Mike Cruz, who played for the College of Southern Nevada in the 2003 JUCO World Series, and Coyotes coach Nick Garritano are watching their sons play in the 2024 national championship tournament.

“It gives me goosebumps,” Cruz said of getting to watch his son play in the JUCO World Series. “It’s awesome. It was all his decision to come here. It’s exciting, it was for me. I’m so glad him and his team get to experience it.”

Garritano has not played in the JUCO World Series but is coaching the Coyotes in it for a second time, but this time his son, Nick Garritano Jr. is playing.

“It’s a feeling I cannot describe in words,” Garritano said. “To be able to share the field with him in this stadium is a dream come true to be honest. There will be memories we will share for the rest of our lives. I feel truly blessed.”

Cruz, who helped the Coyotes win the 2003 national title, made the trip from Reno, Nevada, to watch his son, Mike Cruz Jr.

The Coyotes (51-10) defeated Northwest Florida State College 7-6 on Saturday in the World Series.

Cruz Sr. started at third base for the Community College of Southern Nevada in its first JUCO appearance in only the program’s fifth year of existence. The Coyotes lost their first game to Seminole College (Fla.), but came back through the losers’ bracket, winning five consecutive games to win the national title. They were the first team to lose their first game of the tournament and come back to win the national title. Cruz received the Jay Tolman Outstanding Defensive Player award.

“Oh, man, what an experience,” Cruz said. “We lost our first game to Seminole Florida. The first pitch of the game was a triple off the fence. We were all, ‘Whoa!’ After that game, our moral was high. We still knew we were going to do it. No one doubted it.”

Cruz went on to play at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and is now a heavy equipment operator for a construction company in Reno.

“Grand Junction is the top by far,” Cruz said regarding his baseball experience. “Later in the week, the stands will be packed. Signing autographs for kids is amazing. You don’t sign autographs in high school or at CSN or UNLV.”

Those memories came rushing back while sitting in the stands watching his son warm up for Saturday’s game.

“I get to live it again,” Cruz said. “Being here brings everything back like it was yesterday. It was an incredible experience. These kids will never forget it.”

Cruz’s girlfriend at the time, Alise Porto, was at the tournament pregnant with Mikey.

Cruz Jr., who goes by Mikey, was at the ballfield with his parents as Cruz went on to play at the next level, wearing his dad’s batting gloves and played baseball as long as he can remember, but he didn’t come to Southern Nevada because of his dad.

“It is definitely cool, but I didn’t get an opportunity to play here because of my dad,” Mikey said. “I didn’t decide to come here because of my dad. I felt it was the best fit for me. I do want to achieve the same goal as my dad when he was here.”

Cruz Sr. has supported his son — from choosing to play baseball on his own and where he would play college baseball. Cruz Jr., a sophomore, is committed to play at UNLV next year.

“He’s been one of my number one supporters and my mom’s been one of my number one supporters throughout my whole baseball career,” Mikey said. “He just says the same thing as the coaches say, cherish every moment and make the best of it because you never know when it will be over. I’m grateful it’s not over yet.”

Nick Garritano Jr., who goes by Nicky, grew up playing baseball and always wanted to play for his dad.

“These last two years have been awesome,” Nicky said. “I’ve grown up around the field, knowing I want to play for him. Sometimes it’s hard, but at the end of the day it is a blessing.”

Nick Garritano took over the program in the fall of 2010, only six months after the Coyotes played in the 2010 JUCO World Series. Garritano, though, was the second coach hired after Tim Chambers retired in November 2010.

The coach that took over for Chambers broke recruiting rules and was put on probation for two years. That coach was let go and Garritano came in to clean up the mess. Southern Nevada lost 10 scholarships in that probation.

Six and a half years later, Garritano had the Coyotes back in the World Series and Nicky, was there for it. He was 13-years-old when they qualified in 2017.

“I remember Grand Junction being really cool and the stadium was super cool,” Nicky said. “It was a fun tournament to watch. It really was cool to see so many people in the stands. It is a lot more than what we’re used to playing in front of back home. It was a really good atmosphere too.

“I finally get to play. This is a good group. If we play our brand of baseball, we will be alright. We have good chemistry. We’ve been through just about every situation imaginable on the field.”

For Coach Garritano, coaching his son in the JUCO World Series is the highlight of his 28 years in baseball.

“He’s been a part of the program since he was a little boy,” Garritano said of his son. “He and I both have really tried to make this about the team. From day one I told him you are going to earn the respect of your teammates. He won’t be given everything. He’s treated no different than the other players.

“To know this is coming down to the last six or seven days, it’s the coolest experience I’ve ever had. It’s hard, it’s not easy, because every parent, every dad sitting in the stands today wants their kids to do as good as they can. When they struggle, they feel it too. I’m a dad too. I’ve got to be careful not to be too exuberant, but at the same time, as a coach/dad on the field, it’s a little bit of a juggling act, but I think we’ve done a good job of handling that.”

Whether the Coyotes can duplicate the success of the 2003 team or not, the father-son duos will leave Grand Junction with a memorable experience they will get to share for years to come.