In baseball, freshmen are usually relegated to junior varsity to give them time to grow. But pitcher Gavin Stock was thrown straight into the fire as a first-year varsity player.
“My first varsity start was against the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars, and I felt honored and proud that the coaches trusted me enough to start a section game as a freshman,” Stock said.
Stock said he was ready for this moment and couldn’t wait to show everyone what he could do. During the game, he impressed his new varsity teammates after leading Baldwin to a 7-2 win over the Jaguars.
“In the first TJ game, he showed a lot of grit on the mound,” junior Aiden Robinson said.
Stock was proud of his starting role and realized that not many people get the opportunity that he did. But he was uncertain about stepping into the position.
“Being a freshman starter came with a lot of pressure because I felt like I had expectations to live up to right away,” Stock said.
However, he was able to limit his stress with different techniques during the season.
“Before games, I handle my nerves by walking in the outfield and taking deep breaths,” Stock said. “During games, I try my best to clear my mind, trust myself, and work through tough situations. When things get difficult, my thoughts can go everywhere with positives and negatives, but I always remind myself to stay calm, trust my defense, and keep competing.”
Stock first started pitching when he was 9 years old, but he quit to play hockey. Later, his baseball team needed players, so the coach, Matt Dingus, called his mother and asked him to come back and play for the team.
“Ever since that moment, I’ve loved the game and worked to improve every day,” Stock said.
Stock has worked hard to get to where he is, and his teammates respect his commitment to the sport.
“The upperclassmen have treated me really well since the first fall tournament. They made me feel welcomed right away, as I had already been playing with them for years in different leagues,” Stock said. “To contribute at this level, you have to be a team player, avoid selfish mistakes, and always give 100% effort.”
Robinson saw Stock’s potential early in the season.
“There was no doubt with him being a starter,” Robinson said. “I had confidence in him as his catcher, and the team had confidence in him as well.”
Despite his pitching skills, Stock did not feel confident in his batting at the beginning of the season. However, he was able to work hard and refine his swing.
“I started training at Pittsburgh Baseball Lab with Matt Martin and Max McDowell, and they helped completely fix my swing,” Stock said. “Since then, I’ve raised my batting average to .430.”
Sophomore Hudson McKain saw a high level of maturity out of Stock when he was on the mound.
“He doesn’t really act like a freshman,” McKain said. “You wouldn’t know he’s a freshman if you saw him pitch.”
McKain also noted how strong Stock’s mental game was throughout the season.
“He showed that he has a lot of confidence and that we could trust him,” McKain said. “He doesn’t really care about anyone’s criticism, and he just keeps pitching.”
Robinson also noted Stock’s team-based mentality.
“He cheers on our teammates when they are up to bat or when he is done pitching,” Robinson said.
McKain agreed.
He fits into the culture very well because we like to bring a lot of energy into each game, and he brings that, McKain said. “His personality is great with all of the guys, and he is very social and funny.”
In his first varsity season, Stock claimed a record of 4-1, showcasing the ups and downs from this past season. The team made WPIAL playoffs but lost in the first round.
“We had a great season and played really well most of the year, but towards the end we fell off,” Stock said. “Overall, though, we had a great season.”
Starting as a freshman built his character, and going into next season, he will be prepared for future big games.
“Being a freshman starter shows that you have the skill, work ethic, and maturity to compete at a high level early in your career,” Stock said.
When playing, Stock always remembers what fuels his mindset and keeps him motivated.
“What motivates me most is my family. Hearing my little cousins tell me to keep going pushes me to work even harder every day,” Stock said.
Stock also prioritizes his grades in school and budgets his time well.
“Off the field, I’m usually either practicing by myself or spending time with friends, fishing and going on adventures,” Stock said. “I balance school and sports by using my study hall wisely, and I’m thankful for my tutors, Gavin Sakely and Bryce Nowicki, for helping me stay on top of my work.”
In college, Stock aims to play Division 1 baseball as a pitcher.
“I’ve already started talking with Division I coaches, including the head coach at Cincinnati and an assistant coach at Penn State,” Stock said.
