Gabriel Rangel signed his letter of intent in a ceremony at Clewiston High School. [Photo courtesy CHS Athletics/Lake Okeechobee School]

CLEWISTON- On June 29, Clewiston High School’s Gabriel Rangel signed a letter of intent to attend New College of Florida on a full ride baseball scholarship.

Rangel was a team leader on the Tiger’s baseball squad this year. Clewiston advanced to the district championship in May after defeating Oasis in the semifinal. Rangel was awarded offensive player of the year and MVP for his effort this year at the annual end-of-season awards banquet.

The Tigers opened their season with big wins over East Lee County and Okeechobee. Clewiston dominated East Lee County in the season opener, securing took a 11-1 lopsided victory. Cayson Holman led the team in hits with three, while he, Sadler Soles and Brastyn Ballard each knocked in two RBIs.

The Tigers followed that win up with a 3-2 victory over the Okeechobee Brahmans at Sugarland Park in Clewiston.

Rangel is joining a New College of Florida baseball program that recently hired a new coach. On March 23 the school announced they had chosen Mariano Jimenez to both lead their baseball program and serve as their athletic director.

Jimenez has experience coaching with Team USA Baseball, has been a pro-baseball sportsagent, and is an alum at IMG Academy where he played and coached for a decade. He also played and coached at his alma mater, Palm Beach Atlantic University, before playing professionally in Texas.