Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Ryan Garner (Baseball)

Senior Ryan Garner, who will be attending and playing baseball at Husson University next year, has always been a leader and someone who performs best when the pressure is the highest according to LHS baseball coach Rich Barnaby.

“Ryan is always at his best under pressure and in the biggest moments,” Barnaby said.  “We had so much confidence in him his sophomore year that we put him in the game to close out the State Semifinal game where he struck out the final batter of the game with a runner on second.”  

One of those pressure moments came in the season opener earlier this month for the Blue Devils, a 12-inning marathon where Ryan came on out of the bullpen with the game tied, pitching six shutout innings of one-hit relief while striking out seven before Angel Baez ended the game with a walk-off single.”  

“We know that in the key moments this season, Ryan will be the difference that helps us win those close games,” Barnaby said.  

Ryan started playing baseball when he was four years old, acquiring a love for the game watching baseball games on television with his father, Chad, who is currently the varsity baseball coach at Fitchburg High School.  That same year, Ryan started his baseball journey playing tee-ball for Leominster North.  

Since that time, Ryan has developed a deep passion for the sport.  

“I have always liked the competitiveness of the sport,” Ryan said.  “I like being in the big moments when the tensions are high.  The baseball field has also been a place of comfort, where I only need to focus on the game and my teammates around me.”

Ryan particularly likes being a part of the LHS baseball team, a team that coach Barnaby sets very high standards for year after year.  

“The culture of winning is what I like most about our team,” Ryan said.  “There is a set standard that requires lots of hard work and dedication to the sport.  We all share the same goal, which is why our team is so close.”

Part of that standard for the team is working together to overcome adversity.  

“Coach Barnaby has taught me that mistakes are a part of life, but how you bounce back from that error is what defines you,” Ryan said.  “Staying positive after something bad happens keeps the team calm, and we play with less pressure on ourselves.  Coach tells us to be confident that the person next to you will make that play when you need it the most.”

Before attending Husson in Bangor, Maine this fall, Ryan will play summer baseball with his American Legion team, Post 151.  

“My planned major is in Environmental Science, and if baseball doesn't work out I would want to work somewhere in that field,” Ryan said of his future plans.  

At LHS, Ryan’s favorite class was Honors Physics with Mr. Noviello.  

Outside of school, Ryan is a very big collector of sports cards and memorabilia, mainly football and baseball.  He also likes to work out at Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson.