Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Mark Garner (Baseball)

As a freshman on the LHS baseball team, the lights were certainly not too bright for Mark Garner, who batted an astounding .429 against some of the toughest pitchers in the state.  Now a sophomore, Mark looks to keep showing he’s one of the toughest outs in the state for coach Rich Barnaby’s Blue Devils.  

“Mark is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” Barnaby said.  “He loves the weight room, excels academically and always picks up his teammates when they are struggling.”

Mark is the younger brother of Ryan Garner, one of the more clutch pitchers in the long list of great arms that have played for the blue and white.  Ryan is now a freshman on the Husson University pitching staff.  

Mark, like his brother Ryan, was introduced to the game of baseball by his father, and current Fitchburg High baseball coach, Chad Garner.  

Mark said he has loved the game of baseball ever since he could remember.

“The thing I like the most about baseball is the competition, constant working and building relationships with my coaches and teammates,” Mark said.

Mark said as a member of the Blue Devil baseball team, he loves the competitiveness.

“The community and desire to win every game (are what I like the most about being a part of the LHS baseball team),” Mark said.  

Mark said that competitiveness starts at the top with Barnaby.

“(Coach Barnaby emphasizes) the competitive mentality that we aren’t in the position we are in to fool around and take it easy, but for us to take care of business and compete every game no matter what,” Mark said.  

While just a sophomore, Mark has already been thinking about his post-high school plans.

“I would like to continue my baseball and academic journey at a school that sees potential in the player I am,” Mark said.  “I would like to study Exercise Science in college as  well.”

“I would like to become an athletic trainer for baseball for a professional baseball team and start my own athletic performance company,” Mark added.

At LHS, Mark is in the CTEi program where he studies HVAC.  HVAC is also his favorite class and his favorite teacher is Mr. Sweeney.  

Outside of school, Mark stays busy as well.

“My hobbies out of school are fishing, golfing, going to the gym and spending time with my friends,” Mark said.