Goose Creek CISD April 2024

sterling Cover Story

COACH ON THE FIELD GAMMEL IS STERLING’S GO-TO GUY

\\ Matt Malatesta

him some important life lessons. “I’ve had to grind and work hard,” he said. “I’ve never been the biggest, fastest or strongest, so I work in the gym constantly. When I was a freshman, I was on the freshman team. As a sophomore, I was on JV. I’ve always been grinding, but I have a lot of intangibles like leadership.” When he plays out the string of his baseball career, Gammel plans on being close to the game. “I want to be a high school coach,” he said. “Even now, I love helping my teammates and the younger guys with questions they have about the game. That’s my plan… to be a coach.” Ranked in the Top 12-percent of his class with a 4.0 GPA, Gammel is also committed to the books. “Having all A’s is the standard,” he said. “It’s always been grades over baseball. That has been important in my family.” The middle child is wise beyond his years as well. “You have to go with the flow,” he laughed. “I’ve learned a lot being a middle child. You have to able to deal with the criticism or living up to an older brother, while learning what advice or what to say or not to say to a little brother. It’s a balancing act.” For Sterling baseball, Gammel is keeping his squad on the straight-and-narrow as they navigate the rough waters of district play, with the playoffs potentially on the horizon.

played,” he said. “I had a great experience in Baytown Little League and select ball, which prepared me to play at this level. I’m working on my game every day and hope to have a good enough year to get a college scholarship. That’s the goal.” The game has also taught

pitch and know what to do in any scenario. You have to be locked in and make all the call outs. That’s what I love about the position.” The two-year starter is a field rat, dating back a decade. “My Dad taught me the game and my older brother

THE SIGN OF A GOOD TEAM IS HAVING A GREAT COACH ON THE FIELD. For Sterling baseball coach Dustan Greer, that guy is shortstop Cliff Gammel. “Playing shortstop is like being the quarterback out on the field,” the senior said. “I have to be engaged on every

34 \\ GOOSE CREEK CISD \\ APR 2024 \\ gccisd.net