Friendship fuels success for pair of NoCo Owlz players [Video]

WINDSOR, Colo. — If you come across NoCo Owlz outfielder Dave Matthews, don’t bother with the jokes.

He’s heard them all.

“Every teacher, every coach, I’m used to it by now,” Matthews said, adding that when the NoCo Owlz play on the road, he’s the only player that gets a “walk-up song” from the opposing press box.

“Usually Ant’s Marching or Crash Into Me (by the famous rock band with which he shares a name),” Matthews said.

During his senior year at Central Connecticut State, Matthews was an “ant marching” toward the MLB Draft.

He had forgone a chance to sign a free agent contract as a junior, betting on himself to improve his draft stock with great play in his final college season.

And he was right! Except the year was 2020, and COVID-19 changed everything.

“The draft was shortened to five rounds and my [independent league] experience began,” Matthews said.

Since then, …