Matt Gonzales is a dedicated Strength & Conditioning Coach and Pitching Instructor with a rich background in baseball and a passion for helping athletes reach their full potential. His journey in the sport began at Scotia High School, where he laid the foundation for an impressive career. Matt then attended Herkimer Community College, showcasing his talent on the mound with a standout 2.36 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 26.2 innings. He continued his collegiate career at Barton College, serving as both a starting and relieving pitcher for two seasons, before transferring to Hofstra University. At Hofstra, Matt capped his playing career while earning a Master’s degree in Sport Science, blending academic excellence with athletic prowess.

Transitioning to the professional level, Matt gained valuable experience in the Empire League with the Japan Islanders and currently pitches for the Black Sox, a traveling professional baseball club. Over the past four years, he has channeled his expertise into coaching, guiding athletes in the weight room and on the mound to elevate their performance and advance to the next level. Now entering his second season as the Pitching Coach for the Glens Falls Dragons in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL), Matt continues to inspire and develop the next generation of baseball talent with his knowledge, experience, and commitment to the game.

Zach Breen, our Director of Pitching Development, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to our organization. A standout athlete from the start, Zach’s baseball journey began at Shaker High School in New York, where he played a pivotal role in securing a sectional title and advancing to the state championship game. He continued his career at Schenectady County Community College, posting an impressive 3.30 ERA over two seasons. Zach then transferred to Barton College, where he earned his degree and capped off his collegiate career with a remarkable 10-4 record, 105.1 innings pitched, and 107 strikeouts, earning First Team All-Conference honors.

Following college, Zach played two seasons of professional baseball in the Empire League before transitioning into coaching. His expertise in pitching development quickly shone through as he built a strong foundation through years of delivering pitching lessons, leading camps, and providing on-field instruction. In 2024, Zach served as the Pitching Coach at Division I Siena College, further honing his skills at the collegiate level.

Currently in his fifth season as the pitching coach for the Amsterdam Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL), Zach has helped transform the team into a powerhouse. During Zach’s tenure, the Mohawks have compiled an astounding 154-30 record, with their pitchers amassing 1,887 strikeouts. The team has reached the championship game every year since Zach became their pitching coach , securing titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. His pitchers have also rewritten the Mohawks’ record books, setting all-time marks for strikeouts in 2022 and Batting Average Against in 2023. Notably, 14 Mohawks pitchers have advanced to professional baseball since Zach took the helm, a testament to his exceptional ability to develop talent.

With a deep passion for the game and a keen eye for pitching mechanics, Zach Breen continues to elevate players at all levels as our Director of Pitching Development.

Coach Ryan Deo brings a wealth of experience and passion to his roles as hitting instructor and Director of Catching Development. A standout athlete, Ryan’s playing career began at Averill Park High School before he took his talents to Southern New Hampshire University, where he played two seasons as a catcher. He later transferred to Saint Rose, finishing his final two years of college baseball with an impressive .313 batting average in his senior season.

During his college summers, Ryan competed in some of the nation’s premier collegiate leagues. He spent two summers in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) with the Keene Swamp Bats and a season in the prestigious Cape Cod League with the Cotuit Kettlers, where he showcased his versatility with four appearances on the mound as a pitcher. His final summer of college ball was with the Albany Dutchmen in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).

Ryan’s coaching career took off when he became the youngest head coach in PGCBL history, leading the Glens Falls Dragons. Now entering his second season at the helm, he continues to shape the next generation of talent. Additionally, Ryan is in his first season as an assistant coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he works with hitters and catchers. Under his guidance, RPI has thrived in the current season, boasting a .329 team batting average, 18 home runs, and outscoring opponents 197-131 through 20 games. The Engineers have won 13 of their last 15 contests, while RPI catchers have excelled defensively, throwing out 17 runners attempting to steal and allowing just 2 passed balls on the year.

Through his experiences as both a player and coach, Ryan Deo is dedicated to developing well-rounded athletes and driving success on and off the field.

Eric Downey serves as our Hitting and Fielding Development Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience from his accomplished playing and coaching career. Eric’s baseball journey began at Colonie High School, where he honed his skills before excelling at Herkimer College, a junior college powerhouse. As a General, he posted an impressive .438 batting average and a .556 on-base percentage, while swiping 15 bases and scoring 57 runs. His standout performance earned him a National Letter of Intent to play Division 1 baseball at St. Bonaventure University, where he competed during the 2016 season.

Eric also showcased his talents in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL), spending the 2015 summer with the Saugerties Stallions and the 2016 season with the Amsterdam Mohawks, where he contributed to a league championship. After earning his NYS Coaching Certification from SUNY Brockport, Eric pursued a career in professional baseball, training and interning for three years at the renowned Driveline Baseball Facility in Kent, Washington, and interning at Cressey Sports Performance in Massachusetts. His playing career continued in independent professional leagues, including the Pacific Association, American Association, and Frontier League, where he competed for three seasons.

Transitioning to coaching, Eric made an immediate impact. In 2019, he became the hitting coach for the Oneonta Outlaws of the PGCBL and served as an assistant coach for both the Herkimer College baseball and softball programs during the 2019-2020 season. After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 season, Eric returned to the Oneonta Outlaws as head coach in 2021, guiding the team to their first playoff appearance since 2016. Since 2023, he has been the Hitting and Outfield Coach for the Amsterdam Mohawks, leading the team to back-to-back championships in his first two seasons and preparing for his third summer with the club. Under his guidance, three former Mohawks have advanced to professional baseball, a testament to his skill in developing talent.

With a proven track record as both a player and coach, Eric Downey combines hands-on experience, technical expertise, and a passion for player development to elevate our program.

Arlo Marynczak joins our team as a Pitching Development Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience from his impressive baseball career. A standout athlete from Bethlehem High School, Arlo earned 1st team all-suburban council honors before advancing to Siena College, where he made his mark as a Division 1 pitcher. Over 64 collegiate appearances, he began in relief for his first two seasons before etching his name in Siena history during his junior year. In his first career start, Arlo threw a complete game no-hitter—the second in program history—striking out 10 batters while issuing just two walks. Throughout his college tenure, he maintained an exceptional 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings ratio.

During his college summers, Arlo showcased his talent in the Futures League for one season before dominating in the PGCBL with the Albany Dutchmen. There, he posted standout ERAs of 2.23 and 2.83 across two seasons. Now entering his second professional season with the Tri-City Valleycats in the Frontier League, Arlo has proven his versatility, working both as a reliever and starter. In his rookie year, he made 22 appearances, including 10 starts, and recorded a 4.03 ERA with an impressive 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Beyond his playing career, Arlo is stepping into his first season as Pitching Coach for Christian Brothers Academy, where his expertise and passion for the game will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of pitchers. With his proven track record and dedication to the sport, Arlo is a valuable addition to our team.

Garrison Bryant brings a wealth of professional pitching experience to his role as a Pitching Development Coordinator. With an impressive eight-season career as a professional pitcher, Garrison honed his skills on the mound before transitioning to coaching. Originally drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in 2016, he quickly made a name for himself in the minor leagues. In 2019, Garrison’s standout performance with the Brooklyn Cyclones earned him a 2.51 ERA, a selection as a 2019 All-Star, and the prestigious title of Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Throughout his time in the Mets’ affiliated minor league system, Garrison maintained an impressive 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings ratio, showcasing his ability to dominate hitters. His talent and leadership were further recognized when he represented the Mets in the 2021 MLB Arizona Fall League and served as an MLB/MiLB Players Union Representative. After parting ways with the Mets, Garrison concluded his playing career in 2023 with the Tri-City Valleycats of the Frontier League, where he made 15 starts in his final professional season.

Now, as a member of our staff, Garrison leverages his extensive experience and deep understanding of the game to develop the next generation of pitchers, bringing both technical expertise and a player’s perspective to his coaching role.