Gov. Mifflin baseball team follows lead of Connor Maryniak, Matt Gehris to postseason

May 5—Connor Maryniak and Matt Gehris were sophomores two years ago when the Gov. Mifflin baseball team missed the postseason for the first time since 2005.

The Mustangs finished 5-15 and didn't qualify for the BCIAA or District 3 playoffs. Maryniak and Gehris didn't like what they saw during that miserable season.

"It was hard," Gehris said. "It wasn't really what I expected. We really tried to change the culture this year. We just came in and made sure everyone was on the same page. It was easy because we all support each other. We've been playing together for 10 years.

"We really accepted the younger guys. We made sure they felt they were part of the team."

Gov. Mifflin has followed the lead of Maryniak and Gehris, a pair of right-handers who are fierce competitors on the mound. They're among the chief reasons why the Mustangs (9-2 Berks I, 14-5) are headed back to the county and district playoffs.

Maryniak is 7-0 with one save, a 1.03 ERA, 81 strikeouts and eight walks in 47 2/3 innings. He threw a no-hitter and hit a home run in a 1-0 win over Dallastown early last month and tossed six perfect innings before allowing a single in the seventh in a 2-0 victory over Conrad Weiser.

Gehris is 2-4 with a 4.30 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 16 walks in 29 1/3 innings. He pitched effectively twice against Berks I leader Wilson (9-0, 14-1), which has the strongest lineup in the county. He struck out 14 in a 5-4 win over Twin Valley on Monday in his most recent start.

"We're blessed to have those two guys to run out there," Mustangs coach Chris Hole said, "and to have confidence that every time they take the ball they're going to win. They just take the ball and look to compete. That's half the battle right there."

Maryniak and Gehris throw above-average fastballs. Maryniak uses a breaking ball that's comparable to a slider. Gehris' curveball has more of a break, but isn't as hard. When Gehris struggled with his curve against Twin Valley, he went to his fastball and changeup to baffle the Raiders.

"His fastball was popping the mitt," said Maryniak, who had a good view at shortstop. "He was locating well. That high fastball was very effective with some of their hitters. They were chasing it. His changeup was working, too. It gave some lefties trouble."

Maryniak struck out at least 12 batters against Lower Dauphin, Dallastown, Weiser and Exeter. Opponents are batting a meager .170 against him.

"He just pounds the zone," Gehris said. "Every pitch he has, whether it's his fastball or changeup or curveball, he can pump it for a strike. He just keeps guys off balance. He's pretty good."

Maryniak also is Mifflin's best hitter, carrying a .400 average with six doubles, four home runs and 26 RBIs in 19 games. He went 5-for-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs in a doubleheader sweep of Reading High Tuesday at George Field.

According to Hole, it's no coincidence that Maryniak has played football and basketball and Gehris has played basketball. Hole said he likes having multiple-sport athletes on his team.

"Playing three sports, you learn to hate losing," Maryniak said. "We had a great season in football and basketball season was sort of all right. I knew this baseball season was going to be special. I just can't stand losing. I love competing every day."

Hole said the two of them are "battle-tested."

"It's how we were raised," Gehris said. "I'm competitive playing cornhole on my lawn. It's the mentality you have to have on the mound. You have to pitch like you don't want to be beat."

The Mustangs are well-armed for the postseason with Maryniak, Gehris, sophomore Tyler Minick and senior relievers Aaron Renninger and Matt Sarbaugh.

They're likely to be seeded second in the Berks League playoffs, which begin May 13 with quarterfinal doubleheaders at FirstEnergy Stadium and Owls Field. They'll be a tough out, especially when Maryniak or Gehris are pitching.

"Our pitching staff is up there with anyone," Maryniak said. "We go out and do our jobs. We're very effective. Coach Williams (pitching coach Todd Williams) and Coach Hole do a great job with locating our pitches and calling the game. We just do what we're told and get the win."