Gio Cavanna-Muhlenberg

Gio Cavanna and Drew Fidler had plenty of success on the baseball diamond this spring. They helped the Muhls go (19-4) and win the Berks County championship. Muhlenberg took care of Oley Valley 11-3 in the county final at First Energy Stadium. Cavanna was an all-division selection. He hit .367 with 20 runs and 15 RBI. The outfielder had an OPS of .861 to go along with a .444 on-base percentage. Cavanna was also very good defensively in right field. Fidler compiled a (5-1) record with 32 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. The southpaw only issued seven walks. They’re hoping for a few more victories on the football field this fall. The Muhls had lost 26 straight games before ending the season with a 38-6 rout of Reading. They were outscored 382-88 while going (1-9). Muhlenberg’s schedule certainly isn’t easy in 2022. The Muhls are part of Section 2 of the new Lancaster-Lebanon League. They’ll be facing Gov. Mifflin, Exeter, Manheim Central, Warwick, Lebanon, and Conestoga Valley. The Eagles beat the Mustangs in the District 3-5A championship a season ago. The Barons have claimed a record 18 District 3 titles. Warwick is (40-16) over the past five years. Cavanna is happy about the merger with the L-L League. He stated, “It’s good because there’s a lot of competition. You face better competition over time [and] you’re going to get a lot better. It’s good for us.” The 5’10, 175- pound senior had a team-high 21 catches last season. He averaged five yards per carry on 24 attempts. That number will be going up as Muhlenberg switches to a Wing-T scheme. John Lorchak, who’s in his third year as the head coach in Laureldale, told me that they’ll be getting the ball in Cavanna’s hands in a variety of ways. After junior Kyle Archie opted not to play, Fidler was named the starting quarterback. Cavanna said, “Our chemistry is pretty good. That’s a great thing to have, especially on the football field.” Cavanna mentioned that Ulices Ramirez, Jermickey Gumby, and Wes Clemison are players to keep an eye on. Gumby is a 5’9, 160-pound senior RB/CB. Ramirez and Clemison are juniors. Ramirez is making the interesting transition from guard to running back. The 5’10, 215-pound rugby player will also get time at linebacker. Cavanna called him the strongest player on the team. Clemison is a 6’2, 185-pound TE/LB. Tucker Bellanca, a 3-year starter, and Damian McMullen will be counted on up front. Bellanca is an all-division wrestler. McMullen is in better shape this season. He slimmed down from 260 pounds to 235. I asked Cavanna about his favorite movie, video game, food, and teacher. He admitted to being a Giants fan, and acknowledged that Gumby is the best video game player on the team. Cavanna said he doesn’t have a preference between football and baseball. His focus is on the gridiron now. The Muhls open the season against Octorara on Friday.