Things are looking up

Carson Garner thought professional baseball was right there.

After helping lead Murray State on a historic run to the Men’s College World Series last season, the Glacier Range Riders infielder left the year believing his baseball journey was about to take another step. He played well in the MLB Draft League. Teams showed interest. Conversations happened. 

Then MLB draft day came and went without his name being called. 

“It was like a complete flip,” Garner said. “I felt like I was riding high on top of the world. Then it was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, my career might be over.’” 

When Garner arrived in Kalispell later that summer, he admits he wasn’t the same player mentally. Instead of playing free like he had during Murray State’s postseason run, he started pressing. 

“I thought I had to be different,” Garner said. “I thought I had to do something else, do something more. I had to be more than what I was instead of just playing my game.” 

Now, nearly a year later, Garner says he finally feels like himself again. And it’s showing early this season. 

The Franklin, Tennessee native has helped power Glacier’s strong start, entering the week hitting .290 with a home run and six RBIs from the middle of the lineup. 

But for Garner, the biggest difference hasn’t  necessarily been physical. 

“It’s all mental,” Garner said. “I’m trusting myself again.” 

Garner’s baseball journey started long before Omaha, the MLB Draft League or Glacier Bank Park. 

Growing up just south of Nashville, Garner said baseball was introduced to him early by his father. Ironically, though, he didn’t even enjoy the sport much as a kid. 

“I’ll be honest with you, I sucked,” Garner said with a laugh. “I really wanted nothing to do with baseball until I got to high school.” 

That changed after a growth spurt during his teenage years. 

Garner realized he could drive the baseball farther than most players around him and began dedicating himself fully to the game. Like many kids growing up in the South, his dream was to eventually play SEC baseball. 

Then COVID changed the recruiting landscape. 

Roster spots became harder to find after older players were granted extra eligibility years, and Garner suddenly found himself needing to rethink his path. When Murray State in Kentucky, reached out, he admits he knew almost nothing about the program. 

“At the time, I’d never heard of Murray State before,” Garner said. “I was like, ‘Where even is it?’” 

Garner arrived at Murray State as a walk-on and quickly carved out a role in the lineup. Looking back, he says he entered college as both a raw baseball player and a raw person. 

“I had power, but I wasn’t really a hitter yet,” Garner said. “My BP was a light show, but I wasn’t a hitter.” 

Over time, that changed. 

Garner credits Murray State coach Dan Skirka for much of his growth both on and off the field. The two spent years working through the mental side of hitting, leadership and learning how to handle failure. 

“He’s like a second father to me,” Garner said. 

As Garner grew into one of the leaders inside Murray State’s clubhouse, he said he also learned how difficult it can be to get an entire team moving toward the same goal. 

“Everybody wants to play professionally. Everybody wants to get drafted,” Garner said. “Learning how to get everybody bought into one goal together, that was huge.” 

Garner said his time at Murray State also helped him separate baseball from his personal identity. During his junior season, he became heavily involved in FCA and Bible study groups before eventually getting baptized. 

“I learned how to go home and just be Carson,” Garner said. “Not just the baseball player.” 

That mindset helped carry Murray State through one of the biggest seasons in program history. 

Garner described the Racers’ postseason run to Omaha as the most fun he’s ever had playing baseball. 

“It almost felt like we were kids again playing wiffle ball in the backyard,” Garner said. “We were just playing free.” 

After the season, Garner transitioned directly into the Draft League, where he said he played some of the best baseball of his career against many future professional players. 

Everything pointed toward hearing his name called in the MLB Draft. Instead, the disappointment lingered with him long after draft weekend ended. 

“It plays with your mind,” Garner said. “When you want something so bad and somebody tells you you’re not good enough.” 

Garner now believes that frustration followed him to Glacier last summer. During the offseason back home in Tennessee, Garner spent time simplifying both baseball and life again. He worked out daily, gave hitting lessons to younger players and leaned heavily on his faith and support system. 

“Play like a kid again,” Garner said. “That was my goal.” 

So far, that mentality has helped fuel both Garner and a Glacier clubhouse that reminds him a lot of last year’s Murray State team. 

“It’s the feeling of after the game, we don’t want to go home,” Garner said. “We just want to hang out together.” 

Garner believes the chemistry throughout the clubhouse has played a major role in Glacier’s 10-3 start. 

“This team’s going to win a lot of games,” he said. 

Away from the field, Garner says the Flathead Valley has quickly become one of his favorite places he’s ever played. He praised the local community and his host family, the Williams, for helping him feel comfortable. 

Even with the game of baseball always bringing uncertainty, Garner says he’s learned not to let the game fully define him anymore. 

Now, he’s simply focused on trusting himself again, enjoying baseball and helping Glacier chase a championship this summer. 

Reporter Luke Schmit can be reached at 406-758-4441 or lschmit@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.