Last week, Gowanda senior Blake Herman achieved a significant milestone by signing his national letter of intent to attend Canisius University and play baseball for the Golden Griffins. This decision marks the culmination of a lifelong dream and showcases his dedication and talent in the sport.

Gowanda's Blake Herman Sets Sights on College Baseball Success

Elementary School Baseball Roots

In elementary school, Blake Herman would closely follow his brother, Cole, during the spring and summer months. This allowed him to gather valuable experience from various baseball teams and laid the foundation for his future success. He started playing varsity baseball in eighth grade and has since been a part of numerous travel teams, including the Zoar Valley Eagles, WNY Muckdogs, New York Stingers, and Motor City Hit Dogs. He also had the honor of representing the area on the Babe Ruth World Series host team twice.

These early experiences exposed Blake to different playing styles and competitive environments, helping him develop into a well-rounded baseball player.

High School Baseball Achievements

As a sophomore at Gowanda Central School, Blake was named The Post-Journal/OBSERVER Player of the Year. He led the Panthers pitching staff to their fifth Section VI championship that spring. Blake hit an impressive.438 with six doubles, three triples, and two home runs. He drove in 19 runs and scored a team-high 44.

Behind the plate, Blake was a key contributor, guiding the staff to a 2.98 earned run average with five complete games, including two shutouts and a no-hitter. Gowanda went 19-1 before losing to Batavia Notre Dame 6-5 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C Far West Regional at Frontier High School.

College Baseball Aspirations

With one season left at Gowanda, Blake's goals are clear. Academically, he aims to finish strong and achieve a great GPA to secure more scholarship money. On the baseball field, he is committed to doing whatever it takes to contribute to the team, whether it's hitting, pitching, catching, fielding, or stealing bases.

His ultimate goal is to win a state championship. He believes that with hard work and dedication, along with the support of his coaches and teammates, his team has a real chance to achieve this feat.

Joining the Canisius University Program

After this spring, Blake will join head coach Matt Mazurek's program at Canisius University in downtown Buffalo. Mazurek, a 2018 inductee into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame and a four-year starter with the Golden Griffins, will lead the team for his eighth season this spring.

Canisius won its fourth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship in 2022, and since 2009, the Golden Griffins have produced 13 Major League Baseball draft picks. Blake is excited to be a part of this program and believes it will provide him with the opportunity to grow as a player.

Former Teammate Connection

When his collegiate career begins at Canisius, Blake will have an added bonus. His former teammate, John Ondus, is rehabbing an elbow injury at Niagara University and is expected to be back on the mound this spring.

Blake is looking forward to facing his former teammate and seeing how their rivalry unfolds. It will be a special moment for both of them.